highly caffeinated

Photograph of Caffeine Powder

Caffeine Introduction

Welcome to highly caffeinated, a website dedicated to the beneficial effects, possible dangers, and various sources of the world's most consumed stimulant. Being the most popular psychoactive substance, caffeine finds itself under some of the most critical analysis, research, and investigations of all time. Here you can find the most widely accepted information concerning caffeine. Grab a warm cup of coffee or tea and enjoy!

caffeine: n. a bitter, white crystalline alkaloid C8H10N4O2 found especially in coffee, tea, and carbonated beverages and used medicinally as a stimulant.

Caffeine History

Tea has been consumed in China for thousands of years. However, the first documented case of caffeine consumption for its stimulating effects was done in the 15th century by Sufis of Yemen to aid concentration during evening prayer. By the 16th century coffee houses were established in Cairo, Istanbul, and Mecca. Coffee houses expanded into Europe in the 17th century and thus became a worldwide phenomena. Today the strongest caffeinated beverages are available in Japan. The first near pure extraction and isolation of caffeine was done in 1819 by German chemist Friedrich Ferdinand Runge. According to German legend it was instigated by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Today there are over six thousand Starbucks worldwide!

Caffeine Effects

Caffeine is a naturally occurring stimulant of the central nervous system and can be found around the world both naturally in coffees and in teas or artificially extracted for carbonates beverages. Its consumption can be done both recreationally or medicinally to improve alertness and enhance concentration. While it is often used in times of physical exertion, it is not meant to and cannot replace sleep.

Research in timed reaction studies found that caffeine can increase rapid information processing by almost ten percent. This benefit is applied most often during early morning or late night hours. For this reason, average caffeine intake is generally higher in those who must stay awake for extended hours for their occupation, education, recreation, or other reasons. One may want to drink a cup of coffee while studying for an exam for example.

Some studies are attempting to link caffeine consumption with improved athletic performance. The preliminary findings have discovered that as a body those that consume caffeine have greater athletic performance and endurance that does not decline as long as caffeine intake is steady. It has already been confirmed that caffeine boosts the metabolism so that may explain the greater burst energy found in such studies.

Rather than developing a tolerance to the drug, many coffee drinkers will continue to feel the beneficial effects of caffeine as long as intake is steady. However, some heavy consumers will develop growing tolerances and intake must be increased for the same "kick" to occur.

The most common negative side effect of caffeine consumption is sleep onset insomnia. For most, this is a desired effect, but for others it can disturb their natural cycles. Effects on sleep vary, as some can find sleep easily even after a cup of coffee. To prevent unwanted insomnia it is recommended to replace caffeinated beverages with their decaffeinated equivalents during the evening hours.

Caffeine consumption has been proven effective in the reduction car accidents. It is encouraged for tired drivers to take a thirty minute break during the course of long duration driving, especially at night. During this break, it is suggested that the driver drink two cups of coffee (about 150mgs of caffeine) and perhaps take a short rest. The caffeine combined with rest should provide the driver with enough energy to prevent car accidents caused by non-alert drivers.

Caffeine Dangers

Those that begin to develop a tolerance to caffeine are those most likely to face the dangerous side effects of its consumption. With the creation of a tolerance come the effects of withdrawal if enough caffeine intake is not maintained. The direct result of caffeine withdrawal is an over sensitivity to adenosine, which will cause blood pressure to reduce dramatically most commonly causing headaches. Other symptoms include anxiety, drowsiness, irritability, fatigue, and nausea. In cases that are more serious it may cause depression, diminished motivation, and an inability or concentrate.

The symptoms usually begin within 12 to 24 hours of the last intake, peak at about 48 hours, and continue for one to five days. While some may not experience such withdrawal symptoms, others will find comparable side effects when caffeine use is resumed, rather than ended.

For this and other reasons, many consumers become physically or psychologically dependent on caffeine. As many as 30% of regular coffee drinkers claim they "could not get by without it," while countless others are still in denial. If you both consume caffeinated beverages daily and feel it is a necessary routine you are most likely addicted to caffeine.

The addiction is not very strong, but it is not recommended to cut caffeine entirely once an addiction is established. Ending caffeine use when dependent can be very unhealthy. Instead, it is suggested to eliminate one half cup of coffee a day (or the equivalent) until the desired amount of caffeine is consumed daily. This method is known as caffeine fading.

The minimum lethal dose ever reported is 3,200mgs administered intravenously. Considering the average intake of caffeine is only 200mgs daily, most consumers have no reason to fear the most serious side effect of its use. Roughly 50 cups of coffee would need to be consumed during the half-life period to produce such a serious intoxication. Intentional overdose of caffeine pills is the leading cause of death by caffeine consumption, and even this is difficult to achieve.

Heavy caffeine consumption, especially over an extended period can produce other significant dangers. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) explains, "The four caffeine-induced psychiatric disorders include caffeine intoxication, caffeine-induced anxiety disorder, caffeine-induced sleep disorder, and caffeine-related disorder not otherwise specified (NOS)."

Generally, an overdose of caffeine will produce a condition known as caffeine intoxication or caffeine poisoning in which both physiological and psychological symptoms develop. These symptoms include:

In severe cases delusions, hallucinations, depression, mania, disorientation, lapses in judgment, losses in social inhibition, and even absolute psychosis may result.

"Caffeine-induced psychosis, whether it be delirium, manic depression, schizophrenia, or merely an anxiety syndrome, in most cases will be hard to differentiate from other organic or non-organic psychoses. The treatment for caffeine-induced psychosis is to withhold further caffeine."

While most assume only a small population develop any serious symptoms of caffeine intoxication it may be low only because the symptoms may cause a misdiagnosis of other organic mental disorders including anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, and schizophrenia. Many patients are being re-evaluated for caffeine intoxication rather than their existing mental diagnosis. Unfortunately, such misdiagnosis may result in unnecessary medication and hospitalization.

As with all psychoactive substances, caffeine intake should be avoided during pregnancy and infants should not be exposed to caffeinated products.

Caffeinated Beverages

Caffeinated beverages come in many forms including coffee, tea, soda, and more. Below is a chart which displays many different types of carbonated beverages, their contents of caffeine measured in miligrams, and their corresponding websites. How much caffeine do you have daily?

BEVERAGE: AVERAGE CAFFEINE:*
Coffee Brewed (drip method) 115mgs
Espresso 100mgs
Coffee Brewed (machine) 80mgs
Coffee Instant 65mgs
Coffee Decaffeinated (brewed) 03mgs
Coffee Decaffeinated (instant) 02mgs
Tea Brewed (United States) 40mgs
Tea Brewed (import) 60mgs
Tea Instant 30mgs
Tea Iced 70mgs
Vault 71mgs
Mountain Dew 55mgs
Pepsi 37mgs
Diet Pepsi 35mgs
Mello Yello 53mgs
Coca Cola 45mgs
Diet Coca Cola 45mgs

*Espresso is measured at 2oz servings, coffee and tea cups are measured at 5oz servings, iced tea is measured at 12oz servings, and soda is measured at 12oz servings. Please note that the caffeine contents of coffee and tea vary greatly. We have posted the minimum amounts present in each beverage.

The chart above can be used for your own benefit if you find that your caffeine intake is unhealthy (for the average individual, over 900mgs of caffeine intake per day would be considered unhealthy). If you do wish to lower your daily caffeine intake, we recommend that you follow the steps outlined in the dangers section to reduce caffeine consumption gradually and enter a healthy zone with a healthy method!

Energy Drinks + Pills

Caffeinated beverages come in many forms including coffee, tea, soda, and more. Below is a chart which displays many different types of carbonated beverages, their contents of caffeine measured in miligrams, and their corresponding websites. How much caffeine do you have daily?

BEVERAGE: AVERAGE CAFFEINE:*
AMP (coming soon)
Monster (coming soon)
Red Bull 80mgs

Caffeine FAQs

Here we will answer the most frequently asked questions concerning caffeine. If your question does not appear here, feel free to contact the site administrator at the e-mail address available at the bottom of the page.

Are energy drinks safe?
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Why is caffeine intake among patients with schizophrenia so high?
While science does not provide an absolute answer, a few hypotheses have been proposed by various communities. Drinking coffee is one of the most pleasurable activities for some individuals with schizophrenia and it is a form of social interaction in their rather apathetic lives. It may also improve the negative symptoms of schizophrenia.

Many authors have noted the high caffeine intake among patients with schizophrenia and have documented cases of patients drinking over thirty cups of coffee a day or even eating raw coffee. While high caffeine consumption can cause caffeine intoxication it cannot trigger schizophrenia.

Caffeine Links

The links below are a list of other websites* that are related to caffeine. Some of these websites were used as sources for the content on this page so they deserve your attention as well!

*If you find any other caffeine related websites that should be listed here, feel free to contact the site administrator at the address available at the bottom of the page.

Thanks for visting highly caffeinated, the caffeine information archive! Now go get yourself another cup of coffee or tea now that you understand the benefits, accept the risks, and know the contents of your beverage!