Caffeine, a naturally occurring plant-based substance, is a central nervous system stimulant that has a number of effects on the brain. The amount of coffee you drink and your tolerance level, which builds up over time, affect your reaction to caffeine. Coffee, tea, colas and many over-the-counter pain relievers all contain caffeine. Like many drugs, caffeine can cause a number of side effects as well as physical cravings, addiction and withdrawal symptoms.
Increased Alertness
At a dose of 100 to 200 milligrams, caffeine causes an enhanced sense of alertness, the Visual Mass Spectrometry Laboratory site, run by Carnegie-Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh states. You may feel more awake, better able to focus and more productive. You may think more quickly and clearly. Your overall coordination may improve. One 6 oz. cup of brewed coffee contains about 100 mg of caffeine, the University of Michigan reports.
Increased Irritability
Caffeine can also make you irritable, restless, nervous and anxious. You may develop fine motor tremors in your hands, become agitated and unable to concentrate. Caffeine can also increase symptoms in people with panic disorder and may worsen PMS, premenstrual syndrome. Confusion and psychotic symptoms can occur in some cases, rugs, Drugs.com warns.
Sleeplessness
Too much caffeine can keep you awake. Sleep deprivation can lead to an increased caffeine intake the next day, in an effort to compensate for tiredness. Caffeine intake can also disrupt your sleep at night, further disturbing your sleep cycle, MayoClinic.com explains. This creates another sleepless night and a self-perpetuating vicious cycle. Staying away from caffeine for eight hours before you go to bed may help, since caffeine has a half-life of between three and a half to four hours, on average, according to the VMSL.
Addiction
You can become addicted to caffeine over time. Withdrawal from caffeine can cause headache and drowsiness in addition to irritability. Withdrawal symptoms appear around 12 to 24 hours after your last dose of caffeine and can last as long as a week, the University of Michigan warns. Cutting back slowly may help decrease withdrawal symptoms. Brew tea for shorter times to reduce the caffeine content, MayoClinic.com suggests.
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