Caffeine Talk: How Much Caffeine Are You Taking In?

Caffeine is one of the world's most common psychoactive drugs, along with nicotine and alcohol. At this point, you might ask, psychoactive what? Classifying a substance as psychoactive simply means that it induces changes in one's psychological state or mood. Caffeine, with its corresponding changes it induces when taken in, falls within the definition of a psychoactive drug.

Caffeine works as a stimulant directed at the sympathetic nervous system. Simply put, caffeine acts on a particular part of the body that is designed to defend us. Hence, it generates a response that is similar when we are stressed. Our salivary glands temporarily inhibit from exuding saliva, our heart beats a little faster, and we are more hyper than usual.

Medically, caffeine is used as a stimulant for the heart and a diuretic such that it induces people to urinate more. Chemically, caffeine mimics a natural substance called adenosine, which slows down nerve cell activity, corresponding to drowsiness. Nonetheless, caffeine - unlike real adenosine - doesn't slow nerve cells down. It actually does the opposite, speeding it up.

Caffeine is found in many beverages and food. Most people know that coffee has caffeine, hence the liking for it especially when looking for an upper. What most people don't know is caffeine is also found in colas, chocolate, and tea. It has a half-life of at least 6 hours, meaning that half of its level in our system stays after 6 hours.

Hence, it is important for us to keep tab with our caffeine consumption. It has been said that too much of something is bad. That goes with caffeine, as well. Too much caffeine can interfere with deep sleep and may cause headaches and even dependency. It is recommended to drink caffeinated beverages only until the afternoon, especially if you are caffeine sensitive.

To know if you are already taking in too much caffeine in the body, learn about the levels of caffeine ordinary drinks contain:

1. Drip-brewed coffee in 6-ounce cup has 100 mg of caffeine. Remember that Starbucks Coffee sells coffee drinks in 12-, 14-, and 20-ounce sizes;

2. Brewed tea contains 70 mg of caffeine; while

3. Cola or carbonated drinks in 12-ounce serving have 50 mg of caffeine