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Falling into caffeine addictions

Nov 2, 2007 | Anisa Buttar | The Rebel Yell

As the weather cools down it's only natural to cozy up with warmer drinks such as coffee, but the extra caffeine may leave people with a daily habit in the spring.

According to the health website Mayoclinic.com, 90 percent of Americans consume some type of caffeine regularly, making it the most used behavior-altering drug.

For most people, moderate consumption of caffeine is acceptable. Two or three cups of coffee a day or 200 to 300 milligrams of caffeine are not harmful.

Although, having too much caffeine can become a harmful habit that is hard to break.

According to the Mayo Clinic, consuming 500 to 600 milligrams of caffeine daily is harmful. This heavy daily caffeine use can cause restlessness, anxiety, irritability, muscle tremors, sleeplessness, headaches, nausea, diarrhea or other gastrointestinal problems and abnormal heart rhythms.

Caffeine sensitivity can also elicit these symptoms.

People with smaller body mass feel the effects of caffeine faster than people with larger body mass. People who usually don't have caffeine will be more susceptible to its negative effects as well. All types of stress may also increase one's sensitivity to caffeine.

If one has abnormal sleeping patterns, he or she should consider limiting his or her intake or abstaining from caffeine. Using caffeine to make up for little sleep can turn into a harmful cycle. Having caffeine during the day will keep one awake, but it may also keep one from falling asleep. The drug can also interfere with deep sleep, leaving one even more tired the next day.

The cycle continues by using caffeine daily in order to be more energetic during the day.

The best way to avoid this is by getting adequate sleep and abstaining from caffeinated drinks eight hours before bed. The body does not store caffeine, but it takes many hours to eliminate it and its effects.

Consuming caffeine should be avoided while taking certain medications and supplements.

If taking antibiotics such as ciproflxacin and norfloxacin, caffeine should be limited or avoided. These drugs can interfere with the breakdown of caffeine and may increase the time caffeine stays in one's body.

Taking caffeine and ephedra can be very dangerous. Ephedra was banned by the FDA, but the ban applies to dietary supplements. Some herbal teas may still contain ephedra.

Although having too much caffeine can be harmful, there are also benefits to the drug. Consuming it will make one alert very quickly.

It only takes about five minutes to feel its effects. Unlike most drugs, caffeine is immediately absorbed through the stomach and intestines. Caffeine almost immediately permeates the digestive tract's lining and spreads its magic throughout the body using the bloodstream.

UNLV student Megan Furtado enjoys a Starbucks regular iced coffee everyday. "I like the jolt coffee gives me," she said.

Recent studies have shown that young people are the most frequent users and abusers of caffeine. Energy drinks and supplements seem like a great way to pull all-nighters, but the effects can be dangerous.

Researchers at Northwestern University in Chicago tracked calls to the Illinois Poison center in Chicago for three years. The research team found more than 250 cases of medical complications from caffeine supplements. Thirty individuals were hospitalized. The average age of the callers was 21.

Reducing or eliminating caffeine from one's diet can be challenging. Dr. Roland R. Griffiths, a professor at Johns Hopkins University of Medicine, said, "Caffeine is addictive for some people, caffeine does produce dependence and caffeine withdrawal is a real syndrome."

Withdrawing from caffeine may be challenging, but it is well within reach.

Going cold turkey will leave one with headaches, fatigue, irritability and nervousness. These symptoms usually cease after a few days.

Reducing caffeine intake gradually is the best way to avoid withdrawals. Doing research on the caffeine content in foods and beverages may be surprising. The FDA's official limit for caffeine in carbonated drinks is 71 milligrams per 12 ounce serving. Brewed teas can have anywhere from 40 to 120 milligrams of caffeine.

Replacing coffee, teas and sodas with their de-caffeinated counterparts will greatly help. One can still enjoy the taste and habit of these drinks without the added caffeine. Also, reducing brew times for teas will cut down the caffeine.