Caffeine is often considered a mild stimulant. It acts on the central nervous system by activating both noradrenaline and serotonin neurons, which helps lessen fatigue and increase alertness. It's also known to affect both adenosine and dopamine, reducing tiredness and enhancing energy levels, respectively. For most people, a moderate intake of caffeine doesn’t pose many problems. Too much, however, can lead to undesirable side effects, including tremors in the hands.
Tremors
Tremors are simply small, rapid shaking movements that can manifest in the hands, but can affect almost any muscle in the body. A number of factors can contribute to this involuntary shaking, most of which are related to nerves. Since caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, your muscles may respond in this fashion. This is often referred to as “drug-induced” tremors, and it’s not cause for alarm.
Intake
Involuntary shaking isn’t typically associated with moderate intakes of caffeine. If you drink two to four cups of coffee a day, which is equivalent to between 200 and 400 mg of caffeine, you’re not likely to experience this type of muscle reaction. It isn’t until your intake increases to more than 500 to 600 mg a day that side effects tend to manifest, explains MayoClinic.com. You may also suffer changes in heart rate, irritability, restlessness and nervousness, among other symptoms.
Sensitivity
Not all people, on the other hand, react the same way to caffeine. You may be sensitive to this stimulant, so even a little in your diet can cause an adverse reaction, such as tremors. Your sensitivity is at least partly based on exposure. The more used to drinking caffeine you are, the less likely you are to experience tremors and other side effects. But sensitivity is also influenced by age, weight, gender, body composition, medications and health conditions. Even genetics can sometimes make you more sensitive to this stimulant.
Caffeine
If caffeine leads to tremors, avoid foods and beverages that contain it. Don’t, however, stop cold turkey, cautions the McKinley Health Center of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Cut back gradually to prevent withdrawal, which can causes headaches, fatigue, irritability and even anxiety. Start off by reducing your intake by one less cup of caffeinated beverage each day.
References
- MayoClinic.com; Caffeine: How Much is Too Much?; March 2011
- McKinley Health Center; Caffeine; May 2010
- MedlinePlus; Caffeine in the Diet; May 2011
- MedlinePlus; Drug-induced Tremors; June 2010
- "Brain Research"; Caffeine and the Central Nervous System: Mechanisms of Action, Biochemical, Metabolic and Psychostimulant Effects; A. Nehlig, et al.; May-August 1992
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