Caffeine Pill Side Effects

Caffeine works to stimulate both the central nervous system and the metabolic system. Caffeine pill manufacturers promote their products based on studies that show that caffeine can increase mental alertness. However, use of caffeine pills can result in tolerance and dependence, caffeinism, and caffeine-related sleep and anxiety disorders.

History

Caffeine is a type of chemical known as a xanthine, and acts both as a stimulant and a mild diuretic (it increases the production of urine). Caffeine is found in the leaves, beans, and fruit of certain plants, which use it for its pesticidal effects. Humans most commonly eat or drink it from the beans of coffee plants, tea leaves, and from the kola nut, though there are other sources.

Identification

Caffeine pills (also known as caffeine tablets) generally have 50 mg to 200 mg of caffeine per tablet. For reference, the average cup of coffee contains approximately 100 mg of caffeine. Caffeine tablets are especially popular with truck drivers, students and those working long hours. Some people also use caffeine pills to lose weight, though its effectiveness in this regard is questionable.

Effects

Because caffeine acts on the central nervous system, particularly by activating receptors for the neurotransmitter adenosine, there is the possibility for tolerance and withdrawal. When the central nervous receives a fairly constantly high level of a signal, it adjusts the way it modulates the signal to compensate for it. As a result, long-term use of caffeine can cause tolerance to its effects. In addition, any individual who consumes caffeine on a regular bases for an extended period of time may become dependent on it and will be unable to stop taking caffeine without withdrawal symptoms.

Warning

A caffeine overdose, which is commonly any amount over 300 mg (this depends on body mass and tolerance) can result in caffeine intoxication, which is similar to overdoses of other stimulants. Mild cases can result in nervousness, excitement, flushing of the face and muscle tremors, among other symptoms. More severe overdoses can cause mania, depression, confusion, hallucinations, psychosis and even death. For extremely high overdoses, dialysis or filtration of the blood may be needed.

Expert Insight

Another side effect of caffeine pill use can result in two conditions that are recognized by the American Psychiatric Association. The first is a caffeine-related sleep disorder, a type of insomnia that can result from regular high doses of caffeine, disrupting the patient's sleep. The other is caffeine-induced anxiety disorder, which can take a variety of forms, including panic attacks, phobias or obsessive-compulsive tendencies.