Is Caffeine Killing You?
By Michael Ellis
Growing up I remember thinking that caffeine was bad for you and that I should stay away from it. I almost thought of it as a drug but I never really understood why. Now, caffeine is something that I crave nearly every day. It didn’t start that way of course. It all started on a camping trip with my boy scout troop. On this camping trip I had my first Mountain Dew. It was interesting, I had caffeine and I didn’t die like I previously thought I would. In fact, I don’t remember anything happening. From that point on I didn’t see caffeine in such a negative way and it became more and more prevalent in my life as time went on. As I progressed from caffeinated sodas to energy drinks and other highly caffeinated items, I have often been concerned about my caffeine intake. Those concerns included thoughts of: Could this kill me? Am I dying? Was mom right about this stuff?
As funny as it might be, these have at one point or another crossed my mind, not as very serious thoughts though. The serious thoughts are more along the lines of, can I have too much caffeine? Is caffeine bad for me? Is caffeine good for me? With caffeine being one of the most consumed substances on the planet and according to the Institute of Medicine in Washington, DC, 85.2% of young adults aged 18 to 24 use caffeine in some form. So I can’t be the only one with questions about caffeine, right?
To start understanding caffeine better I wanted to know what it actually is. Caffeine is a natural stimulant that is found in tea, coffee, and cacao plants. It works by stimulating the central nervous system and brain. This helps you stay alert and reduces tiredness. It does this by blocking something our body produces called adenosine. Adenosine’s job is to make us tired, and throughout the day it builds up in our brains. Caffeine blocks adenosine. It does this by binding to the same receptors adenosine binds too. Basically when we are feeling tired it is because adenosine is attached to the receptors in our brain. When we have caffeine it goes to our brain and kicks the adenosine off the receptors resulting in the tired feelings going away. The interesting thing is that the adenosine is still in your brain waiting for the caffeine to wear off. I have definitely experienced this, especially when I drink something like a Monster. I get a boost of energy followed by a wave of less than desirable after effects. For me, it includes feeling less alert, having the inability to focus, and experiencing tiredness. This effect is kind of like a loan but for energy. When we use caffeine we are borrowing energy from the future and just like a loan we have to pay for it later. This is one thing to consider when using caffeine, is energy now worth the crash later? In many cases in my own life I would say yes, I need the energy now, I can deal with being tired later.
Now that I understand what caffeine is and how it works I want to look at other effects. Research shows medicolic differences and genetics play a role in individual variability in caffeine consumption and in the direct effects of caffeine. These differences can contribute to the quality and magnitude of direct drug effects. In a survey conducted by Mia Shirts, a psychology major (2025), on the caffeine consumption of SVU students, 61.4% said they notice the effects from caffeine use. Many students said they received a boost in energy. A few students said they feel nervous and anxious after caffeine use. Others got headaches and some received relief from their headaches. Some experienced absolutely no effects.
We already know that the boost of energy is the result of adenosine being blocked but what about anxiety? Feelings of worry, nervousness, and unease are not uncommon as a college student, in fact 37% of students across the United States say they experience anxiety. So why are these feelings more prevalent when using caffeine? Well, caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant and it causes our bodies to produce and release adrenaline. Adrenaline is the “fight or flight” hormone. Adrenaline gets us ready for action, it speeds up our heart rate, increases energy levels, and increases focus. These changes are helpful in sudden stressful situations like in the case of an injury. Adrenaline decreases pain and allows us to stay in the fight or get away from it. Without the help of adrenaline we might not be able to punch through the pain leaving us where we are. Being in “fight or flight” mode is clearly helpful in the right situations but it can also explain why some people feel anxious when they use caffeine. It is important to note that it has been found that there is an increased likelihood of caffeine causing anxiety in people that already struggle with anxiety. Those that struggle with anxiety might want to think about whether or not caffeine is right for them.
Another common effect experienced by SVU students is headaches. Some reported getting headaches and others reported that caffeine provided relief from them. First I am going to look at why it causes headaches. The Mayo Clinic said this about headaches triggered by caffeine.
Another reason that you could be having headaches is because caffeine is a diuretic, meaning that it makes you need to pee more often. With an increase of trips to the bathroom you could become dehydrated. A symptom of dehydration is headaches. So for some of us that experience headaches after caffeine we might just need to drink some extra water.
When it comes to the effects of caffeine this is a reason that keeps me coming back for more. When I don’t have caffeine for a day or two I get some pretty bad headaches. These headaches tend to go away when I have some more caffeine. So what should I do about it? The Mayo Clinic also said this:
“Pay attention to how much caffeine you consume and how it affects you. Keep track of when your headaches occur and what seems to help or hinder them. If you have frequent headaches, consider slowly reducing your caffeine intake and consuming it in moderation.”
Alright, now for how caffeine can be used to treat headaches. Remember those adenosine receptors from earlier? These come into play again because there is evidence that caffeine may reduce pain sensation through its effects on adenosine receptors. When caffeine blocks adenosine receptors it affects pain signals in the brain causing a reduction in pain. In some cases headaches can be caused by the swelling of blood vessels in the brain. When you use caffeine blood vessels become narrower, this is another way caffeine could help with headaches.
To address my not so serious concern of whether or not caffeine is going to kill me someday I did a google search. I am relieved to inform you, and my very concerned mother, that the first result on google said “ The lethal dose of caffeine for most people is about 10 grams”. Thank you health line! Lucky for me I don’t plan on taking anywhere close to 10 grams of caffeine. To put this into perspective a monster is around 160 milligrams of caffeine. You would need to drink over 60 monsters to consume a lethal dose. The recommended daily intake of caffeine for an adult is 400 mg according to FDA guidelines. That is for individuals that are generally in good health. For individuals that have any health concerns it is recommended that you talk to your doctor. The FDA also warns that rapidly consuming around 1,200 milligrams of caffeine increases your risk of seizures.
A serious answer to my not so serious question is probably not. It is highly unluckily that caffeine will out right kill you. It is possible that caffeine can cause increased risks, especially in those that are not in good health. It is also possible that the side effects of caffeine could lead to poor health, which can lead to increased risk of developing health conditions. An example of this is the effects caffeine can have on sleep. Because caffeine can disrupt your sleep schedule you might not get the sleep you need. The sleep foundation recommends that adults get more than 7 hours of sleep a night. If you don’t get that sleep you could face issues like a suppressed immune system, increasing your chances of getting sick. Lack of sleep can lead to heart problems, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure. There is also an elevated risk of obesity linked to lack of sleep. These all are things that over time will and in combination with one another increase your risk of death.
I have focused a lot on the negatives of caffeine and I want to know what positive things there are to say. For being one of the most used drugs in the world there has to be good reasons that is a daily part of many peoples lives.
Some of the positives have already been discussed like a boost in energy, it helps with focus, and in some cases caffeine can help with headaches. Other benefits can be found in an athletic setting. With many SVU students participating in sports this could be an important factor in their athletic success.
Caffeine has been shown to improve performance by decreasing reaction time, sustaining maximal endurance and intermittent high-intensity long-duration exercise by extending the time to exhaustion. It is also possible that caffeine can offer benefits for strength and power along with sprinting activities. Personally I have used caffeine for athletic purposes and I have had mixed experiences with it. On some occasions caffeine has given me a boost and I was able to perform at what felt like a higher level. On the other hand I have felt sluggish, dazed and confused. And in other cases I have seen no difference at all. I know that there are many people that swear by caffeine supplements for performance in the gym and on the field and unfortunately I can’t say that it has been anything special for me.
After looking into caffeine I can say I learned a lot about how it works and I hope you were able to learn a thing or two as well. As I researched and wrote I have been thinking about whether I want to continue with caffeine being very prevalent in my life or if I want to step back and take a break. And I think I have an answer. I think at this time I want to take a step back from caffeine. This answer is by no means a recommendation to you as my situation is different from yours.
The reasoning behind my decision comes down to a few different things. First is that there are some days that I don’t feel myself without caffeine. This is a scary thought for me. Does this mean I’m an addict? I don’t know if I’d go that far but I would say I have definitely grown a dependency on caffeine. The second reason is that I have been getting some pretty terrible sleep and it has been taking a toll on me. Before writing this I didn’t realize how much caffeine could affect my sleep and in turn my overall health. Third is I have noticed that since I have increased my caffeine intake my anxiety levels have increased. This is very telling because traditionally I’m not a very anxious person. And the fourth and final reason is completely unrelated to anything I wrote about but it is the cost associated with caffeine. I spend way too much money on soda and energy drinks when I could be drinking water that is understandably good for you. And a bonus reason is to make my mom happy as she is not a big fan of energy drinks, especially when her favorite son is drinking them.
Love it or hate it, caffeine is going to be part of our lives. Whether you choose to use it for the positive effects or avoid it for the negative I can say, caffeine is surprisingly personal. Choose wisely and drink responsibly!
Growing up I remember thinking that caffeine was bad for you and that I should stay away from it. I almost thought of it as a drug but I never really understood why. Now, caffeine is something that I crave nearly every day. It didn’t start that way of course. It all started on a camping trip with my boy scout troop. On this camping trip I had my first Mountain Dew. It was interesting, I had caffeine and I didn’t die like I previously thought I would. In fact, I don’t remember anything happening. From that point on I didn’t see caffeine in such a negative way and it became more and more prevalent in my life as time went on. As I progressed from caffeinated sodas to energy drinks and other highly caffeinated items, I have often been concerned about my caffeine intake. Those concerns included thoughts of: Could this kill me? Am I dying? Was mom right about this stuff?
As funny as it might be, these have at one point or another crossed my mind, not as very serious thoughts though. The serious thoughts are more along the lines of, can I have too much caffeine? Is caffeine bad for me? Is caffeine good for me? With caffeine being one of the most consumed substances on the planet and according to the Institute of Medicine in Washington, DC, 85.2% of young adults aged 18 to 24 use caffeine in some form. So I can’t be the only one with questions about caffeine, right?
To start understanding caffeine better I wanted to know what it actually is. Caffeine is a natural stimulant that is found in tea, coffee, and cacao plants. It works by stimulating the central nervous system and brain. This helps you stay alert and reduces tiredness. It does this by blocking something our body produces called adenosine. Adenosine’s job is to make us tired, and throughout the day it builds up in our brains. Caffeine blocks adenosine. It does this by binding to the same receptors adenosine binds too. Basically when we are feeling tired it is because adenosine is attached to the receptors in our brain. When we have caffeine it goes to our brain and kicks the adenosine off the receptors resulting in the tired feelings going away. The interesting thing is that the adenosine is still in your brain waiting for the caffeine to wear off. I have definitely experienced this, especially when I drink something like a Monster. I get a boost of energy followed by a wave of less than desirable after effects. For me, it includes feeling less alert, having the inability to focus, and experiencing tiredness. This effect is kind of like a loan but for energy. When we use caffeine we are borrowing energy from the future and just like a loan we have to pay for it later. This is one thing to consider when using caffeine, is energy now worth the crash later? In many cases in my own life I would say yes, I need the energy now, I can deal with being tired later.
Now that I understand what caffeine is and how it works I want to look at other effects. Research shows medicolic differences and genetics play a role in individual variability in caffeine consumption and in the direct effects of caffeine. These differences can contribute to the quality and magnitude of direct drug effects. In a survey conducted by Mia Shirts, a psychology major (2025), on the caffeine consumption of SVU students, 61.4% said they notice the effects from caffeine use. Many students said they received a boost in energy. A few students said they feel nervous and anxious after caffeine use. Others got headaches and some received relief from their headaches. Some experienced absolutely no effects.
We already know that the boost of energy is the result of adenosine being blocked but what about anxiety? Feelings of worry, nervousness, and unease are not uncommon as a college student, in fact 37% of students across the United States say they experience anxiety. So why are these feelings more prevalent when using caffeine? Well, caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant and it causes our bodies to produce and release adrenaline. Adrenaline is the “fight or flight” hormone. Adrenaline gets us ready for action, it speeds up our heart rate, increases energy levels, and increases focus. These changes are helpful in sudden stressful situations like in the case of an injury. Adrenaline decreases pain and allows us to stay in the fight or get away from it. Without the help of adrenaline we might not be able to punch through the pain leaving us where we are. Being in “fight or flight” mode is clearly helpful in the right situations but it can also explain why some people feel anxious when they use caffeine. It is important to note that it has been found that there is an increased likelihood of caffeine causing anxiety in people that already struggle with anxiety. Those that struggle with anxiety might want to think about whether or not caffeine is right for them.
Another common effect experienced by SVU students is headaches. Some reported getting headaches and others reported that caffeine provided relief from them. First I am going to look at why it causes headaches. The Mayo Clinic said this about headaches triggered by caffeine.
When caffeine is consumed regularly, the body becomes dependent on its effects. And because caffeine narrows the blood vessels that surround the brain, when consumption is stopped, the blood vessels enlarge. This causes an increase in blood flow around the brain and pressures surrounding nerves. This can then trigger what is known as a caffeine withdrawal headache. These headaches can last for a couple of weeks because it takes the body a while to adjust to not having caffeine in its system.
Another reason that you could be having headaches is because caffeine is a diuretic, meaning that it makes you need to pee more often. With an increase of trips to the bathroom you could become dehydrated. A symptom of dehydration is headaches. So for some of us that experience headaches after caffeine we might just need to drink some extra water.
When it comes to the effects of caffeine this is a reason that keeps me coming back for more. When I don’t have caffeine for a day or two I get some pretty bad headaches. These headaches tend to go away when I have some more caffeine. So what should I do about it? The Mayo Clinic also said this:
“Pay attention to how much caffeine you consume and how it affects you. Keep track of when your headaches occur and what seems to help or hinder them. If you have frequent headaches, consider slowly reducing your caffeine intake and consuming it in moderation.”
Alright, now for how caffeine can be used to treat headaches. Remember those adenosine receptors from earlier? These come into play again because there is evidence that caffeine may reduce pain sensation through its effects on adenosine receptors. When caffeine blocks adenosine receptors it affects pain signals in the brain causing a reduction in pain. In some cases headaches can be caused by the swelling of blood vessels in the brain. When you use caffeine blood vessels become narrower, this is another way caffeine could help with headaches.
To address my not so serious concern of whether or not caffeine is going to kill me someday I did a google search. I am relieved to inform you, and my very concerned mother, that the first result on google said “ The lethal dose of caffeine for most people is about 10 grams”. Thank you health line! Lucky for me I don’t plan on taking anywhere close to 10 grams of caffeine. To put this into perspective a monster is around 160 milligrams of caffeine. You would need to drink over 60 monsters to consume a lethal dose. The recommended daily intake of caffeine for an adult is 400 mg according to FDA guidelines. That is for individuals that are generally in good health. For individuals that have any health concerns it is recommended that you talk to your doctor. The FDA also warns that rapidly consuming around 1,200 milligrams of caffeine increases your risk of seizures.
A serious answer to my not so serious question is probably not. It is highly unluckily that caffeine will out right kill you. It is possible that caffeine can cause increased risks, especially in those that are not in good health. It is also possible that the side effects of caffeine could lead to poor health, which can lead to increased risk of developing health conditions. An example of this is the effects caffeine can have on sleep. Because caffeine can disrupt your sleep schedule you might not get the sleep you need. The sleep foundation recommends that adults get more than 7 hours of sleep a night. If you don’t get that sleep you could face issues like a suppressed immune system, increasing your chances of getting sick. Lack of sleep can lead to heart problems, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure. There is also an elevated risk of obesity linked to lack of sleep. These all are things that over time will and in combination with one another increase your risk of death.
I have focused a lot on the negatives of caffeine and I want to know what positive things there are to say. For being one of the most used drugs in the world there has to be good reasons that is a daily part of many peoples lives.
Some of the positives have already been discussed like a boost in energy, it helps with focus, and in some cases caffeine can help with headaches. Other benefits can be found in an athletic setting. With many SVU students participating in sports this could be an important factor in their athletic success.
Caffeine has been shown to improve performance by decreasing reaction time, sustaining maximal endurance and intermittent high-intensity long-duration exercise by extending the time to exhaustion. It is also possible that caffeine can offer benefits for strength and power along with sprinting activities. Personally I have used caffeine for athletic purposes and I have had mixed experiences with it. On some occasions caffeine has given me a boost and I was able to perform at what felt like a higher level. On the other hand I have felt sluggish, dazed and confused. And in other cases I have seen no difference at all. I know that there are many people that swear by caffeine supplements for performance in the gym and on the field and unfortunately I can’t say that it has been anything special for me.
After looking into caffeine I can say I learned a lot about how it works and I hope you were able to learn a thing or two as well. As I researched and wrote I have been thinking about whether I want to continue with caffeine being very prevalent in my life or if I want to step back and take a break. And I think I have an answer. I think at this time I want to take a step back from caffeine. This answer is by no means a recommendation to you as my situation is different from yours.
The reasoning behind my decision comes down to a few different things. First is that there are some days that I don’t feel myself without caffeine. This is a scary thought for me. Does this mean I’m an addict? I don’t know if I’d go that far but I would say I have definitely grown a dependency on caffeine. The second reason is that I have been getting some pretty terrible sleep and it has been taking a toll on me. Before writing this I didn’t realize how much caffeine could affect my sleep and in turn my overall health. Third is I have noticed that since I have increased my caffeine intake my anxiety levels have increased. This is very telling because traditionally I’m not a very anxious person. And the fourth and final reason is completely unrelated to anything I wrote about but it is the cost associated with caffeine. I spend way too much money on soda and energy drinks when I could be drinking water that is understandably good for you. And a bonus reason is to make my mom happy as she is not a big fan of energy drinks, especially when her favorite son is drinking them.
Love it or hate it, caffeine is going to be part of our lives. Whether you choose to use it for the positive effects or avoid it for the negative I can say, caffeine is surprisingly personal. Choose wisely and drink responsibly!
