The Arc of Western Wayne County: Serving people with disabilities

The Take Charge Helpline

What is Caffeine?

Caffeine is consumed widely across cultures.  It is found naturally in 63 different plants.  Caffeine can be found in coffee, tea, caffeinated soda, and over the counter cold remedies.  Chocolate and coca contain low levels of caffeine.  Approximately 80% of Americans drink coffee, which is a major source of caffeine.

Some side effects that caffeine can cause include; restlessness, nervousness, excitement, insomnia, flushed face, gastrointestinal disturbance, muscle twitching, rambling flow of thought or speech, cardiac arrhythmia, periods of inexhaustibility or psychomotor agitation.

Regular caffeine consumption reduces sensitivity to caffeine.  When caffeine intake is reduced, the body becomes oversensitive to it.  In response, blood pressure drops dramatically, causing an excess of blood in the head, leading to a headache.  This headache, well known among coffee drinkers, usually lasts from one to five days and can be alleviated with aspirin. Often, people who are reducing caffeine intake report being irritable, unable to work, nervous, restless, feeling sleepy, and having a headache.  In extreme cases, nausea and vomiting have also been reported.

If you would like more information about caffeine, please contact the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment at 800-662-4357, or visit them online at www.csat.samhsa.gov.

Phone code: 1774