Caffeine - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Slavakion · 11-06-2004, 07:20 PM

Is it possible to overdose on caffeine? I assume so since it's a type of stimulant. And if so, is it possible without taking some sort of concentrated "supplement"?

How much caffeine would be an overdose, and what would happen? Would there be a heart attack, or would the body go into shock and shut down until everything gets cleared out?

I don't drink coffee, but my parents (at least my mom) go through ~4-6 cups in the morning. Is this enough to cause any severe health problems in the long term?

Irishsean · 11-06-2004, 07:45 PM

http://health.allrefer.com/health/ca...e-effects.html

Quote:

Excessive caffeine intake can lead to a fast heart rate, diuresis (excessive urination), nausea and vomiting, restlessness, anxiety, depression, tremors, and difficulty sleeping.

The effect of caffeine on health has been widely studied. In particular, the effects of caffeine on fibrocystic breast disease, cardiovascular disease, birth defects, reproductive function, and behavior in children has been closely examined and linked to some but not all.

I cut all caffeine out of my diet a couple months ago, and have felt great ever since. I actually sleep less now, and feel more rested. I am in a much better mood, and am less prone to snap at people.

itch vaccine · 11-06-2004, 11:49 PM

I can't help it now, I need the caffeine, can't seem to sleep at night cos of exams..

then wake up all drowsy..

figures why I snap at people all the time..
*sigh* I feel bad.

hannukah harry · 11-07-2004, 11:40 AM

you could overdose on caffiene, i think saw a calculator online that allowed you to put your height and weight in and it would estimate in cans of mountain dew how much it would take to kill you. pretty much, unless you got it in some kinda pill or through an IV, it'd be pretty much impossible... you'd be excreteing it before you get enough in you. and you'd probalby have a hard time fitting that much coffee or pop in your stomach without puking.

but because it is a cns stimulant, if you have too much it can cause those things posted 2 posts above. it all depends on how much, how big the person is, how sensitive they are to it. long term i don't think caffiene really has any bad effects (as long as your not taking enough of it to keep you in an overstimulated state), but like anything else, moderation is best. if you need it for a jolt to keep awake, fine, but don't drink absurd amounts if you don't need it.

phobs · 11-08-2004, 01:39 AM

every now and then I take a crazy amount of caffine to help study and stay up. It really destroys your body. If you dont take vitamins do so right away. Helped me do more with less caffine. I take the GNC uber vitamins.

Val_1 · 11-08-2004, 05:24 PM

Can you od on cafeine? Most definitely, yes. A friend of mine went to the emergency room after too much caffeine. The doctors would not believe he wasn't on speed, that it was only caffine that got his heart racing so fast. Keep in mind, though, he had ALOT of caffeine

I've lowered the amount of caffeine that I take in daily. Not only do I feel less fatigued, but I enjoy it more when I do have it. I'm down to 2 cups of joe in the morning, not soda at all. Once in a great while I have a cup of coffee or tea in the afternoon.

Long term effects? If taken in moderation, there are no scientific evidence of health risks from caffeine. 4 to 6 cups? I wouldn't be too concerned about this dosage.

f6twister · 11-09-2004, 10:16 AM

Caffeine contricts your blood vessels causing your blood pressure to go up. The more you drink, the more they constrict. Add in any sugar that may be in what you are drinking and you have a big health risk brewing. Caffeine is okay for most people in moderation but if you have high blood pressure, stay away. It will only make things worse.

hannukah harry · 11-09-2004, 12:29 PM

some interesting info on it...

http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/caff.html

Slavakion · 11-10-2004, 01:10 PM

According to that website, I'd have to drink 80-100 cups for a fatal dose. Or take 50 caffeine pills.

Quote:

One effect of caffeine is to interfere with adenosine at multiple sites in the brain including the reticular formation. Caffeine also acts at other sites in the body to increase heart rate, constrict blood vessels, relax air passages to improve breathing and allow some muscles to contract more easily.

Hey, it improves breathing?

Other interesting facts: Per ounce, Red Bull has slightly less caffeine than coffee (pretty much the same) while a drink called SoBe No Fear has twice as much.

gboz · 11-10-2004, 02:24 PM

I've noticed a lot of people mixing alcohol with Red Bull. Then you're a wide awake drunk, I guess.

sierrajunkie · 11-12-2004, 12:24 PM

ive thought about this topic alot recently because my body is very tolerant to caffeine, i would have to drink about 3 or four cups of coffee to feel the least bit affected by the caffeine. I found many problems with caffeine, yes you could 'overdose' on caffeine. Here is a link to a known occurance http://www.everybody.co.nz/research/nut_caffsens.htm
the LD_50 of caffeine, meaning the letahal dosage for 50% of teh population seems to be about 150mg/kg.
BUT, research has found fewer suicides among cffe drinkers than non coffe drinkers, caffeine also increases the level of circulating fatty acids. This has been shown to increase the oxidation of these fuels, hence enhancing fat oxidation. It's particularly effective in those who are not habitual users.

hannukah harry · 11-12-2004, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sierrajunkie

caffeine also increases the level of circulating fatty acids. This has been shown to increase the oxidation of these fuels, hence enhancing fat oxidation. It's particularly effective in those who are not habitual users.

well that just sucks for me.

11-06-2004, 07:20 PM	#1 (permalink)
Slavakion Mjollnir Incarnate Location: Lost in thought	Caffeine Is it possible to overdose on caffeine? I assume so since it's a type of stimulant. And if so, is it possible without taking some sort of concentrated "supplement"? How much caffeine would be an overdose, and what would happen? Would there be a heart attack, or would the body go into shock and shut down until everything gets cleared out? I don't drink coffee, but my parents (at least my mom) go through ~4-6 cups in the morning. Is this enough to cause any severe health problems in the long term?

11-07-2004, 11:40 AM	#4 (permalink)
hannukah harry Junkie	you could overdose on caffiene, i think saw a calculator online that allowed you to put your height and weight in and it would estimate in cans of mountain dew how much it would take to kill you. pretty much, unless you got it in some kinda pill or through an IV, it'd be pretty much impossible... you'd be excreteing it before you get enough in you. and you'd probalby have a hard time fitting that much coffee or pop in your stomach without puking. but because it is a cns stimulant, if you have too much it can cause those things posted 2 posts above. it all depends on how much, how big the person is, how sensitive they are to it. long term i don't think caffiene really has any bad effects (as long as your not taking enough of it to keep you in an overstimulated state), but like anything else, moderation is best. if you need it for a jolt to keep awake, fine, but don't drink absurd amounts if you don't need it. __________________ shabbat shalom, mother fucker! - the hebrew hammer

11-08-2004, 05:24 PM	#6 (permalink)
Val_1 Addict Location: In a State of Denial	Can you od on cafeine? Most definitely, yes. A friend of mine went to the emergency room after too much caffeine. The doctors would not believe he wasn't on speed, that it was only caffine that got his heart racing so fast. Keep in mind, though, he had ALOT of caffeine I've lowered the amount of caffeine that I take in daily. Not only do I feel less fatigued, but I enjoy it more when I do have it. I'm down to 2 cups of joe in the morning, not soda at all. Once in a great while I have a cup of coffee or tea in the afternoon. Long term effects? If taken in moderation, there are no scientific evidence of health risks from caffeine. 4 to 6 cups? I wouldn't be too concerned about this dosage. __________________ I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day. -Frank Sinatra

11-09-2004, 10:16 AM	#7 (permalink)
f6twister Addict	Caffeine contricts your blood vessels causing your blood pressure to go up. The more you drink, the more they constrict. Add in any sugar that may be in what you are drinking and you have a big health risk brewing. Caffeine is okay for most people in moderation but if you have high blood pressure, stay away. It will only make things worse. __________________ A little rudeness and disrespect can elevate a meaningless interaction to a battle of wills and add drama to an otherwise dull day. Calvin

11-09-2004, 12:29 PM	#8 (permalink)
hannukah harry Junkie	some interesting info on it... http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/caff.html __________________ shabbat shalom, mother fucker! - the hebrew hammer

11-06-2004, 11:49 PM	#3 (permalink)
itch vaccine Psycho Location: on my spinning computer chair	I can't help it now, I need the caffeine, can't seem to sleep at night cos of exams.. then wake up all drowsy.. figures why I snap at people all the time.. sigh I feel bad.

11-08-2004, 01:39 AM	#5 (permalink)
phobs Upright	every now and then I take a crazy amount of caffine to help study and stay up. It really destroys your body. If you dont take vitamins do so right away. Helped me do more with less caffine. I take the GNC uber vitamins.

11-10-2004, 02:24 PM	#10 (permalink)
gboz Crazy	I've noticed a lot of people mixing alcohol with Red Bull. Then you're a wide awake drunk, I guess. __________________ Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life. -Berthold Auerbach

11-12-2004, 12:24 PM	#11 (permalink)
sierrajunkie Upright	ive thought about this topic alot recently because my body is very tolerant to caffeine, i would have to drink about 3 or four cups of coffee to feel the least bit affected by the caffeine. I found many problems with caffeine, yes you could 'overdose' on caffeine. Here is a link to a known occurance http://www.everybody.co.nz/research/nut_caffsens.htm the LD_50 of caffeine, meaning the letahal dosage for 50% of teh population seems to be about 150mg/kg. BUT, research has found fewer suicides among cffe drinkers than non coffe drinkers, caffeine also increases the level of circulating fatty acids. This has been shown to increase the oxidation of these fuels, hence enhancing fat oxidation. It's particularly effective in those who are not habitual users.