The Controversy Surrounding Caffeine Addiction
Despite the similarities between Caffeine dependency and other drug addictions, some health care officials debate as to whether it can qualify as an actual addiction. The main reason for this is that other addictive substances, such as Amphetamines and Cocaine, stimulate the area of the brain linked to reward and motivation to a higher extent than Caffeine does. Caffeine causes a surge of dopamine within the brain but not a large enough surge to unbalance the reward system in the brain like other drugs. Because of this, the American Psychiatric Association does not currently identify Caffeine addiction as a Substance Use Disorder however, it does recognize Caffeine withdrawal as a clinical condition. The World Health Organization became the first medical corporation to formally recognize Caffeine addiction as a clinical disorder in 2012.
The Danger Of Energy Drinks
Energy drinks are particularly dangerous because of their high levels of caffeine. Many energy drinks have between 100mg and 200mg of caffeine per serving, but it can vary wildly. One of the energy drinks with the most concentrated caffeine content is Redline, which contains 350mg of caffeine in just 2.5-oz. The problem with energy drinks is that many people dont realize the amount of caffeine they are consuming when they drink several energy drinks in one day, and most dont even know what an acceptable level of caffeine is. For example, consume just two Redline energy drinks in one day, and youve already far exceeded the recommended maximum amount of caffeine by 40%. Energy drink addiction can cause insomnia, nervousness, headaches, increased or irregular heartbeat, anxiety, confusion, delirium, muscle trembling, nausea, and vomiting. Caffeine mixed with alcohol can cause the dangerous scenario of increased intoxication mixed with decreased awareness of impairment. In other words, you feel less drunk but youre actually more drunk.
When Is The Best Time To Drink Red Bull
Research confirmed that the best times to drink Red Bull are during the morning and afternoon. However, based on my own experience, it works best in the morning because you can drink it right before a workout or your morning commute.
If you were to drink it during the night, you risk insomnia and lethargy. Youd be up at odd hours and this can ruin your body clock.
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Caffeine Addiction And Abuse
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Living With & Managing Life With An Energy Drink Addiction
If you drink too many energy drinks, and have an addiction to them, you may not consider it a serious problem especially compared with other forms of addiction. However, it can be fatal: do not live any longer than you have to with an energy drink addiction. Speak with your GP and/or addiction specialist about your situation.
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Other Ingredients Found In Energy Drinks
Below I have detailed some of the more common ingredients found in energy drinks, along with Caffeine. These added ingredients, enhance the effect of the caffeine, and can be as equally as damaging to your health:
Creatine:
This substance is naturally occurring in vertebrates and provides and invaluable aid in supporting and supplying energy to all of the bodys cells, especially muscle tissue. Creatine is used generally in increasing amounts by athletes and professional body builders to reduce muscle repair time and to help gain muscle mass. Too much Creatine has been associated with asthmatic symptoms and respiratory difficulties.
Taurine:
Also known as Amino acids, Taurine is a major constitute of bile, and naturally occurs in the lower intestine. Taurine affects the retina and central nervous system, the function and development of skeletal muscle and the health and performance of the cardiovascular system. Too much Taurine can cause problems with the retina and central nervous system and the cardiovascular system.
Guarana:
This powerful stimulant is found in the seeds of the Guarana plant, native to Brazil. The seeds contain twice the amount of caffeine as found in a coffee bean and the effects are similar to that of caffeine, providing increased memory retention and physical endurance. Too much of this substance can cause heart irregularities and respiratory problems
Aspartames:
Glucose and sugars:
Refined Grains And Refined Bread
All refined bread is an item I advise avoiding if you have anxiety. If you choose to buy bread, be sure to buy 100% whole grain or even better, sprouted grain bread, which isn’t refined at all, nor does it contain flour of any kind. Also stick to varieties without preservatives, sugar, or unhealthy fats. Even breads that boasts health properties can be lying to you, so turn over the product and read the label. Stick with varieties that are 100% natural, don’t contain high fructose corn syrup, enriched flours, hydrogenated fats, sugar, and that are overall less processed. Remember, unless it says 100% whole grain, it isnât, so be sure youâre smart about the label. By all means, avoid white bread, which is merely nothing more than sugars and starches that will send your blood sugar soaring, creating a crash later, which will leave you shaky, cranky and full of anxiety. An even better option is to only eat grains in their whole form, such as cooked oats, quinoa, and barley, which are the grain in its most natural form, free of any added ingredients. Root veggies are another great substitute for bread that will give your body the carbohydrates it desires without the blood sugar crash of white bread and other refined grains.
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Caffeine Withdrawal & Nausea
Fact Checked
Nine out of 10 Americans ingest caffeine in some form every day, according to Judy Fortin in an April 2009 article on CNN Health. Some drink enough caffeine in coffee, tea, cola, energy drinks and shots or get enough from other sources like chocolate and alertness pills to develop a mild addiction. Caffeine addicts go through many physical and psychological symptoms when they abruptly stop their intake, including gastrointestinal effects.
People Need Help Quitting Energy Drinks: Research
My partner has a dirty little secret he tries to hide from me, the evidence of which is literally littered around his car. He tries to hide it under the seats, in bags and in the recycling bin.
But those shiny, empty cans are hard to miss.
Energy drinks: not as innocuous as we think.Credit:Getty
He is among those contributing to the steady growth of the energy drink market and to Red Bulls position as the most popular energy drink in Australia.
He says they give him a “buzz” and, when I suggest a fresh veggie juice could give him an energy boost without the junk, he looks at me with the same expression as our daughter when I try to play off yoghurt for ice-cream.
Despite gently pressing him, in a not-so-gentle way, to promise not to drink the sugar-filled, stimulant-laden drinks, which Im not convinced help his health or his tendency toward heart palpitations, he just gets sneakier about his consumption.
In our study, some people were reporting up to 20 a day.
Professor Eva Kemps
New research suggests quitting might not be so easy and regular consumers of energy drinks might need help to kick the habit.
Consumption of energy drinks has continued to rise, said Professor of Psychology Eva Kemps, of Flinders University.
Its like a lot of substances, if you only have it in moderation, its not a problem. You can have the odd drink … in our study, some people were reporting up to 20 a day.
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Side Effects And Signs Of Caffeine Addiction
Should you suffer a caffeine overdose, the consequences could be fatal. According to an article in the Forensic Science International Journal, while fatal overdoes are rare, they do happen. For that reason, its important to take note of how much coffee you consume.
Some of the signs of caffeine addiction include an increased heart rate, fatigue, irritability, and poor sleep patterns. If you find that you have some of these symptoms, it could be the case that youre drinking too much caffeine and you may want to look into some caffeine alternatives or natural energy drinks.
Whats more, there could be rather dangerous and worrying side effects of consuming copious amounts of caffeine. For example, if youre pregnant, avoiding coffee is a smart move as caffeine consumption has been linked to high risks of miscarriages.
Another study found that caffeine could boost your stress hormones and blood pressure if youre not a regular coffee drinker. As though that werent worrying enough, theres also research to suggest that coffee could raise cholesterol levels dramatically. Needless to say, all of the above could be cause for concern.
Reliability And Validity Of Diagnostic Criteria
Studies investigating the reliability and validity of the DSM-5 Caffeine Use Disorder research diagnosis are also needed. Factor analyses of the diagnostic criteria have not been conducted, and more testretest evaluations are still needed. The only testretest evaluation of caffeine dependence diagnostic criteria that has been conducted to date found high reliability for a DSM-IV diagnosis of Substance Dependence as applied to caffeine. However, no internal reliability studies have been conducted using the DSM-5 criteria for Caffeine Use Disorder.
There is also a need for studies to investigate the external validity of the Caffeine Use Disorder research diagnosis. Prospective studies of caffeine reinforcement can be used to validate the diagnosis. For example, a small study of caffeine self-administration showed that subjects who had met criteria for caffeine dependence tended to be more likely to demonstrate reliable reinforcement than those who were not dependent .
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What Does Caffeine Do To Your Body
Caffeine is well absorbed by the body, and the short-term effects are usually experienced between 5 and 30 minutes after having it. These effects can include increased breathing and heart rate, and increased mental alertness and physical energy. Depending on the individual, these effects can last up to 12 hours.
Some of the signs and symptoms of having too much caffeine include:
- a rise in body temperature
- frequent urination
- first feeling energetic but then having an even greater feeling of tiredness.
Impact Of Caffeine And Caffeine Addiction
People see the impact of caffeine every day. One minute your co-worker appears tired and uninspired. The next minute they are buzzing around finishing all the projects.
It seems no one minds the idea of using a smart drug. However, many dont get to see the very bad side of caffeine. This part of energy drinks makes them dangerous.
All we hear about are the possible health benefits of caffeine. They include:
- increasing alertness, memory, stamina, and concentration
- detoxifying the liver and preventing liver disease
- reducing the risk of Parkinsons disease
- preventing skin and liver cancer
- helping with breathing in asthmatics
- protecting against Type 2 diabetes
- reducing chronic inflammation
- preventing weight gain
The problem with caffeine is the potential for abuse and addiction. Caffeine is in many products today. You can find it in soft drinks, energy drinks, tea brews, chocolate bars, and other products.
In energy drinks, the amount of caffeine has different ranges per serving. Some have about 70mg. Others go as high as 240mg of caffeine per serving. When you pit Red Bull vs. Monster, you find Red Bull leading at 111mg and Monster at 86 mg.
According to the European Food Safety Authority, daily caffeine intakes from any source should not exceed 400mg. Pregnant women should not take more than 200mg. One recommendation suggests children and adolescents should get 3mg per kg.
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Get A Healthy Boost With An All Natural Energy Drink
Whether you dont want to drink coffee because of its potential adverse effects, or you just dont like how it tastes, youre ready for a change. You can start boosting your energy right now by following these steps and starting your journey to a more energized you. It doesnt take much time or money just a little commitment. Give some of the natural energy drinks on this list a try!
Looking to reap the health benefits of an all natural energy drink? Try our recipe for homemade beet juice.
Signs Youre Addicted To Caffeine
It’s perfectly normal to hear someone claim they can’t socialize before their first cup of coffee. You may even nod along, signaling your respect and solidarity.
While a dependence on caffeine isn’t usually dangerousit doesn’t threaten your health the way other drugs doit’s never good to feel like you need a substance to function. And becoming addicted to caffeine is way easier than you might think.
“Nowadays, we dont realize caffeine is in a lot of things we normally wouldnt think it is,”Rachel Salas, M.D., an associate professor of neurology at Johns Hopkins Medicine who specializes in sleep medicine, tells SELF. “We think coffee or soda, but now it’s also in energy drinks, certain teas, and even different foods like waffles and gum.”Well add chocolate to the list. This makes it even easier to take in too much. Chances are you’re consuming more than you even realize, making your body recognize a low level of constant caffeination as the norm.
Like any other drug, the clearest evidence that you’re addicted to caffeine is that you experience withdrawal symptoms when you’re not taking it. Here are some red flags that you’ve become a little too reliant.
Caffeine gives your body a boost of adrenaline, which can help you stay alert and focused. If youre used to that boost every single day, you may experience brain fog or trouble concentrating and completing tasks without it.
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Whats A Healthy Amount Of Caffeine To Consume Each Day
A recent article reviewed the findings of 95 different studies on caffeine and concluded that you should limit your consumption of caffeine to 400 mg per day. Thats about the amount of caffeine in 4 to 5 cups of coffee, 8 to 10 cans of soda, or 2 energy drinks.
Keep in mind that some supplements have very high levels of caffeine. Also, some pre-workout powders can equal many cups of caffeine in one serving. One particularly dangerous trend lately has been the dry-scoop challenge on TikTok, in which people consume several scoops of pre-workout protein powder without water which contains very high amounts of caffeine.
For children under age 12, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends avoiding caffeine entirely. Even for older adolescents, the AAP recommends avoiding energy drinks.
How Addictive Is Caffeine
While caffeine isnt typically thought of as a substance of abuse, there is an emerging understanding that caffeine can cause many of the same neurochemical changes of other substances of abuse. Many of the well-known substances of abuse, such as cocaine and methamphetamines, activate reward centers in our brain and release dopamine, which is the ultimate feel-good chemical. Dopamine creates a powerful, pleasant sensation that motivates us to repeat whatever actions lead to the release of more dopamine.
It turns out that caffeine also leads to increased release of dopamine in the brain, though its a weaker link than with other drugs. This explains why caffeine can lead to addiction for some people but is not as addictive as other typical drugs of abuse. You might experience headaches and fatigue if you try to quit, but chances are higher that youd be successful if you want to stop.
Still, its worth noting that caffeine can be a tough habit to break. One study of high school and college students, drug treatment patients, and pain clinic patients found that 23% of those surveyed had a desire to cut down or control their use of caffeine. Also, 26% experienced withdrawal symptoms when they tried to cut down.
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What Are The Long
Healthy adults do not appear to suffer any long-term effects from consuming moderate doses of caffeine daily.
Long-term use of large amounts of caffeine may be associated with loss of bone density, increasing the risk of osteoporosis. Post-menopausal women are especially at risk.
Caffeine use appears to be associated with irregular heartbeat and may raise cholesterol levels, but there is no firm evidence that caffeine causes heart disease. Although caffeine is suspected to be a cause of cancer, the evidence is contradictory and does not allow a clear conclusion. Some studies indicate that caffeine can cause changes in the cells of the body and in the way these cells reproduce themselves.
Critical Foods To Avoid If You Suffer From Anxiety
By Heather
I used to be embarrassed that I suffered from anxiety, but now Iâm an open book, sharing my own experience and simple lifestyle tips, along with foods to avoid if you suffer from anxiety. For years, I never put together the connective link between my diet, lifestyle, and my chronic anxiety. During the latter half of my twenties, due to major life events that happened in the course of a year, I was forced to address the anxiety that had always taken a back seat in my life when I was more concerned with developing a modeling career than taking care of myself. I finally learned how diet and lifestyle can truly make or break your success with managing anxiety. Though I was a nutrition major, I was still eating a few foods that werenât supporting my anxiety, such as taking in excessive caffeine and not eating enough protein or healthy fats. To share just a bit of what I learned about how food can affect your mind, start with getting rid of these 9 foods to avoid if you suffer from anxiety. I promise this is one of the best things you can do to start a successful anxiety management plan and make changes that will last a lifetime.
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