Can regular caffeine use have any side-effects?

Question

I'm not talking about immediately excessive use, as in overdose.

I'm talking as in taking (just about) acceptable levels regularly, like daily.

I just wonder if it can impact a person's nature, and change how they deal with situations, like other drugs do.

Okay, I'll admit it. It's more than 'just wonder'.

I just want to make sure I don't end up killing myself (health-wise) or anyone else (by going nutzoid) on a 3 Red Bull a day habit (sometimes throw a Relentless in there too).

If so, I'm changing drinks to something un-dangerous (my new word).

Answer 1

Three red-bulls a day is not terrible. I drink on average 3 cups of coffee per day. Caffeine affects the body by blocking neurotransmitters and affecting the levels of melatonin in the brain. Melatonin is a hormone that builds up in the pineal gland in the brain with the light cycles. The higher the level of melatonin, the sleepier you get. Caffeine prevents the body from building melatonin, to a certain degree. This means, if you consume a lot of caffeine during the night time hours, you will never reach the deepest levels of sleep.

Caffeine also dilates your blood vessels, allowing a slight drop in blood pressure, and a ease of feeling. Medications such as Midol, and Excedrine tension headache use high doses of Caffeine to dilate blood vessels and ease discomfort in sore muscles. But, this can lead to dependence as your body becomes used to the feeling of dilated blood vessels. SO, when you come down from the caffeine, the blood vessels constrict back to normal, causing discomfort.

So, i would agree that caffeine can impact the way a person deals with situations, but the effect is limited and completely reversible when the caffeine is removed.

Answer 2

One thing I've learned over the years is that no single answer is right for everyone. For example, as a committed Buddhist I became a strict vegetarian for three years -- until it made me so sick and overweight that my doctor made me stop! Seems my blood type derives from nomadic peoples who survived by hunting, and my dna has me set up to depend upon getting a certain amount of animal protein. So, I'm still MOSTLY vegetarian but I must eat meat three or four times a week to remain healthy.

Caffeine -- I've read a lot lately about how the vascular support and antioxidants do, indeed, have some level of benefit. But I would suggest getting your caffeine from a natural source -- i.e. a good, organic, fair-trade coffee or tea. I have throttled back to two cups of coffee in the morning, and a cup of tea mid-day. Seems to be enough. All the other chemical ingredients listed in power drinks like Red Bull scare the crap out of me!

Answer 3

Too much caffeine everyday over a long period of time can cause heart problems.
Caffeine makes the heart beat faster which can cause irregularities. I know someone who was told to stop drinking red bull and monster or they would be dead as there heart couldn't take the extra work plus the amount of sugar in these drinks cause obesity. They are not healthy and taking too much caffeine causes your body to go into exhaustion eventually! Which is dangerous in itself.

Answer 4

I drink 4 to 6 Diet Cokes a day and have for the last 25 years. I can honestly say that it does not cause me any problems. Some people are more sensitive to caffeine than others. If you find yourself unable to sleep at night, your heart racing or you get shaky, then you are sensitive to caffeine and should either cut back or cut it out all together.

Answer 5

According to the History Channel.

Coffee in the past was grown only in the Hills. Now coffee is also grown in the rice fields of Vietnam and other low lands; it is called "El busca" or something like that; in effect it is like sawdust, and it is much cheaper. Major coffee companies add El Busca to their regular blends, sort of like fillers. - Since the introduction of low-land coffee, urinary cancer rates have increased for coffee drinkers.

If you are going to continue drinking coffee, it would be healthier if you insist on drinking only 100% Colombian coffee, which is all grown in the Hill country of Colombia.

My husband, Wayne, and I have switched to Starbucks brand 100% Colombian (Walmart sells it).

Answer 6

there is an amino acid in red bull called taurine. this is really what speeds you up.

i would cut back on it a little. it can give you energy, but too much can cause problems.

i have a really high tolerance for pretty much everything, so caffeine doesn't really affect me. some people will get headaches if they don't get caffeine everyday.

good luck.

Answer 7

It's addictive. You will crave it and if you don't get it will probably feel extremely tired and get a headache. So that is a side affect of not getting it after you are used to having it. I don't see anything wrong with daily use though, it helps me focus on my morning and afternoon. I LOVE my coffee.

Answer 8

Decaff is much better for you because you don't get addicted which can lead to all the nasty side effects however it still stains your teeth.
Like all food and drink it won't do you no harm if it's all moderation

Answer 9

well pal the main one is lack of sleep from caffine intake and also if you try to go a while without caffine you get the shakes trust me i know

Answer 10

N-N-N-N-no, W-W-W-hy do Y-Y-Y-You a-a-a-ask??

BB,
Raji the Green Witch