How Much is Too Much: Caffeine

As I gathered from my survey, it doesn't seem like USF students have a very comprehensive idea of health and are mostly concerned with diet and exercise.  But there is one drug that most students put into their bodies every single day without giving it a second thought: caffeine.  I know I take a lot of caffeine throughout the weekdays.  With 18 credit hours of classes this semester and a Monday-Friday job, how could I go a day without it?
Amount of caffeine I consume on an average weekday:
     - 1/2 caffeine pill = 100mg
     - 1 Jamba Juice smoothie with a "3G Charger" = 120mg
     - 1 energy drink =  180mg
     - 1 cup of tea = 40mg
Total = 440mg

What does this much caffeine do to your body?

•  Make you jittery and shaky
• Make it hard to fall asleep, stay asleep, or get a good night's sleep
• Make your heart beat faster
• Cause an uneven heart rythm
• Raise your blood pressure
• Cause headaches, nervousness, and/or dizziness
• Make you dehydrated, especially after a workout, or with caffeine pills
• Make you dependent on it so you need more of it

And what happens if you try to stop taking caffeine?

Symptoms of withdrawal from caffeine include:

• headache
• fatigue
• anxiety
• irritability
• depressed mood
• difficulty concentrating

Symptoms of caffeine overdose in adults may include:

• Breathing trouble
• Changes in alertness
• Confusion
• Convulsions
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Fever
• Hallucinations
• Increased thirst
• Increased urination
• Irregular heartbeat
• Muscle twitching
• Rapid heartbeat
• Sleeping trouble
• Vomiting

You can also overdose on caffeine if you consume too much of it, and possibly die.  This is not something many students have in their minds when they consume caffeine throughout the day and between classes to stay awake and alert. I think it would be a good idea for the university to circulate information about  potential risks of caffeine and the recommended doses, as well as alternative, more healthy sources of energy and ways to be more well rested; such as apples, regular exercise, not using electronics 30 minutes before bed, not consuming caffeine less than 6 hours before bed, etc.

FDA on Caffeine
Caffeine Facts
Caffeine Overdose