Caffeine

What is it?

Caffeine is a very popular drug which is widely used. It is a stimulant that affects the central nervous system, accelerating messages to and from the brain

It is naturally found in the leaves, seeds and fruit of various plants (e.g. coffee beans, tea leaves, kola nuts, cacao pods and guarana seeds). Caffeine is present in a number of beverages and food products including tea, coffee, chocolate, cola and energy drinks. The amount of caffeine in these products can vary greatly depending on brand, production methods and size.

Short-term effects

The effects depend on how much is consumed. Individual factors such as body weight, gender, the strength of the drug, mood, physical and mental health, how you take it, where you take it  and whether or not it is mixed with other drugs such as alcohol also have an impact.

After consumption, caffeine circulates the body within 5-30 minutes. Its effects can last for up to 12 hours. With moderate use (e.g. up to 4 cups of coffee per day for an adult) these effects can include feeling more alert and active, a rise in body temperature, increased heart rate and more frequent urination/excretion. In large or more frequent doses caffeine can cause negative side effects including anxiety, irritability, headaches, insomnia, dehydration, stomach pains and a rapid heart rate or breathlessness.

Mixing caffeine with alcohol (e.g. vodka and energy drinks) puts increased stress on the body and can impair an individual’s judgment more than drinking alcohol alone.

Long-term effects

Heavy use of caffeine can lead to dependency and also long-term health problems including anxiety, depression, heart disease, high blood pressure, infertility, insomnia, osteoporosis and stomach ulcers. Withdrawal effects from caffeine include anxiety, headaches, sweating, tiredness and muscular pain. These generally last up to 36 hours.

The law

Caffeine is a legal drug.