Caffeine Side Effects

When taken at moderate levels (6mg per kg of body weight), caffeine is safe in healthy people.

Caffeine overuse will cause caffeine dependency and can then produce symptoms of nervousness, irritability, anxiety, tremulousness, muscle twitching, insomnia, headaches, respiratory alkalosis, and heart palpitations.

Overdosing over 300 milligrams or so of caffeine can cause central nervous system over-stimulation called caffeine intoxication. Restlessness, nervousness, excitement, insomnia, flushing of the face, increased urination, gastrointestinal disturbance, muscle twitching, a rambling flow of thought and speech, irritability, irregular or rapid heart beat, and psychomotor agitation all occur. Much larger overdoses cause mania, depression, judgment lapses, disorientation, delusions, hallucinations and psychosis, and breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue can be provoked.

Since caffeine is an addictive substance, many people go through withdrawal after discontinuing usage, and may include , irritability, an inability to concentrate, drowsiness, insomnia and pain in the stomach, upper body, and joints.

Caffeine-induced sleep disorder is an official disorder as caffeine overuse can seriously harm your sleep cycle.

We do not recommend any caffeine to those with mental disorders, as caffeine may exacerbate daily anxiety among youth with depression.

We also do not recommend caffeine to pregnant women, even though studies of dosages less than 200mg are inconclusive, it is not worth the risk of miscarriage.

Is Caffeine safe?

Caffeine is safe in moderate doses for healthy people (no heart problems, prescription drug medications, ulcers, or mental disorders). Even at moderate doses, it is still addictive and will lead to tolerance and withdrawal when usage stops.

This review of many studies states for the healthy adult population, moderate daily caffeine intake at a dose level up to 6mg per kg body weight per day (400mg per day in a 65kg person) is not associated with adverse effects such as general toxicity, cardiovascular effects, effects on bone status and calcium balance (with consumption of adequate calcium), changes in adult behaviour, increased incidence of cancer and effects on male fertility.

Caffeine is relatively safe and has no known negative performance effects, nor does it cause significant dehydration or electrolyte imbalance during exercise.

PricePlow and ClutchWave LLC take no responsibility for the statements and links on this page. Consult your doctor before using any supplements. These statements have not been approved by the FDA.