Caffeine is a naturally occurring stimulant found in coffee, tea and chocolate. Bottlers add moderate amounts of caffeine to many carbonated sodas and significant amounts to energy drinks. While you might reach for that morning latte or afternoon soda to shake off sleepiness and increase your concentration, it can bring some unwanted side effects.
Function
Caffeine works by altering the function of a brain chemical called adenosine. Caffeine and adenosine are both in the xanthine chemical group. Adenosine is a depressant that slows down nerve cells in the brain. Caffeine blocks the adenosine receptors on the nerve cells, causing them to speed up and causing you to wake up. Increased nerve cell activity leads to higher levels of adrenaline in the body. Caffeine may also increase dopamine levels.
Side Effects
Nervousness, restlessness, insomnia and increased anxiety are all associated with caffeine use. The increase in adrenaline in the body with caffeine consumption raises your heart rate, blood pressure and respiration rate. Changes in brain chemistry associated with caffeine cause insomnia and restlessness. Side effects increase with heavy use, particularly in men.
Anxiety Disorder
If you have an anxiety disorder, you might find that caffeine exacerbates your symptoms. The American Psychiatric Institute recognizes three disorders specific to caffeine use, including caffeine intoxication, caffeine-related anxiety and caffeine-related sleep disorders. The physical effects of caffeine may mimic those of anxiety or a panic attack. If you're prone to anxiety, you might want to experiment with your caffeine intake to determine if you feel better without caffeine.
Moderate Use
Moderate caffeine consumption is generally not harmful and comes with few side effects. For most people, 200 to 400 mg of caffeine or drinking about 2 to 4 cups of brewed coffee is quite safe. Heavy consumption, typically defined as more than 500 mg of caffeine daily, is more likely to cause anxiety or worsen an existing anxiety disorder. For some sensitive individuals, any amount of caffeine might cause uncomfortable side effects.
Member Comments