Caffeine Facts

1,3,7-trimethylxanthine (C8H10N4O2)

Effects of Caffeine Caffeine during Pregnancy Tolerence and Dependence Withdrawal Caffeine Intake

General Information

What is Caffeine?

Caffeine is a drug extracted which from the leaves, beans or nuts of different plants. Caffeine is a stimulant drug. This means it speeds up the brain and nervous system.

The most common things containing caffeine are:

• coffee
• tea  
• cocoa 
• chocolate 
• cola drinks

Effects of Caffeine

Small amounts of caffeine (less than 600 mg per day) are not harmful. 

What caffeine does to you depends on:

• how much you have
• your height and weight
• your general health
• your mood
• whether you have caffeine often
• whether you have caffeine on its own, with food or with other drugs

Immediate effects

Small amounts

When you have a small amount of caffeine (such as a cup of coffee):

• you feel more awake
• your heart beats faster
• you urinate more
• your body temperature rises
• your digestive system produces more acid

Large amounts

• If you have a large amount of caffeine, you might:
• get headaches
• feel restless
• feel nervous
• become delirious (be confused, have hallucinations or be very excited)
• find it difficult to sleep

Long-term effects

If you have more than 600 mg of caffeine a day for a long time you may:

• find it difficult to sleep
• worry a lot
• be depressed
• have stomach upsets

Large amounts of caffeine may make the problems worse for people who have:

• heart problems 
• anxiety disorders/panic attacks 
• agoraphobia (fear of public places or open spaces) 
• Caffeine and sleep

If you have caffeine before you go to bed, it usually:

• makes it harder to get to sleep
• makes you sleep for a shorter time
• shortens the amount of deep sleep you have
• gives you more 'dream sleep' at first, but less overall. Both deep sleep and dream sleep are important for proper rest.
• Caffeine and pregnancy

Caffeine during Pregnancy

Having caffeine when you are pregnant is safe if you have normal amounts of caffeine. However, very large amounts of caffeine during pregnancy may lead to:

• losing the baby
• the baby being born too early
• the baby being born dead.

Doctors recommend that pregnant women have no more than two to four cups of coffee or tea (about 200 mg of caffeine) a day.

Tolerence and Dependence

Anyone can develop a 'tolerance' to caffeine. Tolerance means that you must have more of the drug to feel the same effects experienced with lower amounts.

'Dependence' on caffeine means that it takes up a lot of your thoughts, emotions and activities.

Not all people who take caffeine are dependent.

Withdrawal

People who are dependent on caffeine may experience withdrawal symptoms if they try to stop or cut down the amount of caffeine they have.

Withdrawal symptoms can include:

• headaches 
• feeling angry
• feeling upset
• tiredness

Caffeine Intake

There is very little risk of harm if you have less than 600mg of caffeine a day. If you are worried or stressed, or if you are pregnant, have less than 200mg (2-4 cups of coffee or tea) daily.    

Table showing Mg Caffeine