Many people drink caffeinated beverages, such as tea of coffee, to wake up in the morning or to get a boost of energy throughout the day. Caffeine stimulates the nervous system, helping you feel more alert and energized, but too much caffeine can cause unpleasant side effects, such as an irritable mood and aggression.
Effects of Caffeine
Responses to caffeine vary widely between individuals. You may feel more awake and focused after a cup of coffee, but if you consume more than 1 or 2 cups, you may feel restless or unable to focus. Caffeine's stimulant effects can cause anxiety, increase in heart rate, jittery sensations, anxiety and insomnia. Caffeine use or a loss of sleep due to caffeine use can contribute to unpleasant mood changes and can result in anger and aggressive thoughts or behaviors in certain individuals.
Excess Caffeine Consumption
Individuals who consume excess amounts of caffeine are more likely to experience negative or problematic side effects. In general, daily caffeine consumption should be limited to 300 mg, or 3 to 4 cups of coffee. Individuals who find they are more sensitive to caffeine should lower their use. Caffeine consumption of 500 to 600 mg per day is considered heavy use.
Caffeine Addiction and Withdrawal
Regular use of caffeine can result in addiction and physical dependency. If you're dependent on caffeine and you suddenly cut back on your intake or stop using caffeine, you will likely experience physical side effects such as restlessness, nausea, headache, insomnia and mood changes, such as irritability and anxiety. The physical and psychological effects of caffeine withdrawal can trigger aggressive thoughts and feelings in certain individuals.
Expert Insights
Individuals should monitor their caffeine use carefully and determine their own personal responses to the substance. If you find that you are sensitive to caffeine but you enjoy coffee and tea drinks, try decaffeinated choices or dilute drinks with extra skim milk or water. If you are trying to cut back on your caffeine habit or quit using it altogether, do so slowly over the course of several weeks.
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