There is nothing like cracking open an energy drink, making a fun coffee recipe or drinking some delicious green tea to start the long day ahead of you.
Healthy caffeine consumption can reap benefits such as increased focus and alertness. There are many ways you can consume it and in many different amounts. About 80% of the world population consumes caffeine every day, but what some people don’t know is that it is also a very addictive drug that can have damaging short and long-term health effects.
When thinking of drugs, caffeine is probably not the first thing that comes to mind. As defined in the dictionary, a drug is “a medicine or other substance which has a physiological effect when ingested or otherwise introduced into the body.” When consumed, caffeine alters the mind and makes it more alert and less tired by blocking adenosine receptors. Adenosine receptors are the part of your brain that induces relaxation and promotes sleep. By blocking these receptors caffeine decreases tiredness and fatigue, altering the mind like any drug would.
Caffeine comes from many natural sources such as coffee beans, cacao beans, kola nuts, tea leaves, yerba mate, and the guarana berry. It can be made into many forms of consumption such as coffee, tea, energy drinks, food, and even powder and pills. People have and will do anything for a boost of energy throughout the day. The good effects of caffeine include: increased alertness, enhanced mood, and faster reaction time. If you take a closer look, there are many more disadvantages than advantages to drinking caffeine, unfortunately. Some unwanted side effects of caffeine include: Insomnia, nervousness, upset stomach, muscle twitching, irregular heart rhythms, and excessive fidgeting.
The long term effects of consuming too much caffeine are concerning and dangerous. Unhealthy caffeine amounts can lead to chronic insomnia, anxiety, stomach acidity, and increased blood pressure. Insane amounts of caffeine such as 1,000 mg can lead to an overdose and possibly death, although it is very rare. It is important to track your caffeine intake to make sure you aren’t having too much so you don’t suffer the consequences.
When worst comes to worst, even if you wanted to make a change and quit caffeine, there are withdrawal symptoms to watch out for. The symptoms include: headaches, fatigue, drowsiness, depressed mood, difficulty, concentrating, and irritability. Like any drug, it takes a lot of effort to quit caffeine. Depending on your intake amount caffeine can benefit your life or ruin it. So next time you’re debating if you should have your fourth cup of coffee or energy drink for the day, consider that moderation is key to enjoying the benefits of caffeine.
