Caffeine is a drug, but it is generally harmless if used in moderation. You get caffeine from common drinks like iced or hot tea and coffee and foods like chocolate candy. Side effects from consuming too much of the chemical, or withdrawal after using large quantities regularly, wears off without permanent damage to your body. These effects are unpleasant while they last, however, and they cover a wide range, including gastrointestinal symptoms.
Physical Effects
Many people use caffeine for its ability to induce wakefulness, but it affects you in other ways, too, especially if you consume large amounts. Nausea and stomach upset are common effects, according to MayoClinic.com, as is an increase in your heart rate, as well as trembling muscles. Caffeine can also make you irritable or nervous and keep you awake for longer periods than desired. These effects are all tied into the drug's ability to stimulate your central nervous system. Your body does not store caffeine, so the nausea and other physical and mental effects wear off in a maximum of six hours.
Amount
Most people do not experience unpleasant physical effects like nausea from taking in caffeine, unless the amount is excessive. You can usually consume 300 to 500 mg, or the equivalent of up to four cups of coffee, without getting an upset stomach or bad side effects. Anything over 500 mg puts you at risk for nausea and other problems that last until your body excretes the caffeine, according to MayoClinic.com.
Withdrawal
Drinking caffeine can cause nausea, and you can suffer from the same problem when abstaining from the drug, as well. You become physically dependent on caffeine when you use large amounts regularly, and your body's sensitivity decreases, making you consume more to feel alert. Suddenly ceasing your caffeine consumption can trigger flu-like symptoms, such as nausea and muscle aches, according to Lloyd de Vries of CBS News Healthwatch. These effects start within 12 to 24 hours of your last caffeine intake but go away in a maximum of nine days if you continue your caffeine abstinence.
Considerations
Watch for caffeine in unfamiliar sources if you get nauseous when drinking it or have other negative effects you wish to avoid. Tea, cola, chocolate and coffee are all well-known as caffeine sources, but soft drink manufacturers add it to some other types of soda. Energy drink makers often use it in their beverages, as do manufacturers of energy pills and shots. Drug companies add caffeine to some cold and flu medications and pain pills. Check the ingredients of medications, soft drinks and energy products if you are sensitive to caffeine, to avoid unwittingly consuming the chemical.
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