Caffeine and nicotine are widely used stimulants that are sold in various forms over the counter. Nicotine is commonly found in cigarettes or chewing tobacco, but you can also purchase it in gums or patches. Caffeine is found in coffee, soda, energy drinks and tea. Both caffeine and nicotine stimulate your central nervous system and can make you feel happy and energetic. This may sound harmless and pleasant, but both of these can have negative side effects on your body.
Insomnia
Caffeine and nicotine act as stimulants in your body which may cause you to lose sleep if you are exposed to either of them before bedtime. The American Headache Society reports that caffeine and nicotine contain stimulants that can keep you awake at night. For this reason, it is important that you do not consume caffeine or use tobacco products eight hours before bed.
Addiction
You may enjoy the increased energy you have from caffeine and nicotine. While caffeine is not commonly addictive, you may experience headaches or fatigue if you break your habit of consuming it everyday. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that your risk of becoming addicted to nicotine depends on your genes. Seventy percent of adults who smoke would like to quit, but have a hard time overcoming their addiction. In addition to this, withdrawal symptoms for both caffeine and nicotine may be difficult for you to handle.
Headaches
The American Headache Society reports that several over-the-counter headache medications contain caffeine. Small doses of caffeine may cure a headache or migraine, but consuming it frequently may allow your body to become accustom to it. When this occurs, the next time you take a headache medication with caffeine, it won't have the same effect. Cluster headaches can occur from nicotine. This type of headache forms on one side of your head and is usually a chronic condition. Quitting or reducing your smoking can relieve the symptoms of these headaches.
Anxiety and Nervousness
Heavy caffeine consumption can make you feel jittery, cause anxiety and make you nervous. Consuming large amounts of caffeine, or more than 500 mg per day, is considered heavy consumption, as reported by the Mayo Clinic. This is the equivalent of drinking four or five cups of coffee everyday. Anxiety may occur from nicotine if you are a smoker and are unable to smoke. If you are stuck at work, inside a public building or trying to cut back, you may feel anxious about not being able to smoke. This may deprive you of the stimulating effects of nicotine that you crave.
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