Caffeine Addiction

Stimulating caffeine drinks such as coffee, soft drinks, and energy drinks, are considered the most commonly used psychoactive drug in the world; approximately 80 per cent of adults consume them on a daily basis. Many people rely on them every day to get them going in the morning, or to give them a boost part way through the day.

However, just like any other drug, once you've built up a tolerance you need more and more caffeine to produce the same energizing effect. Caffeine also produces a short-term spike in energy followed by a crash that is often characterized by headaches, fatigue, and irritability.

Caffeine is highly addictive and can wreak havoc on your health. Even small doses of caffeine can trigger restlessness, inability to concentrate, anxiety, insomnia, and heart palpitations. Caffeine affects mood, stamina, the cerebral vascular system, and gastric and colonic activity. Toxicity from caffeine can lead to loss of bone density, liver failure, seizures, strokes, and heart attacks.

The effects of consuming caffeine will differ depending on a person's size and body weight. In Canada, although no regulation currently exists about caffeinated beverages such as energy drinks being sold to minors, they are not recommended for consumption by children.

Mixing prescription medication with caffeine may cause serious side effects. Pregnant, breastfeeding women, or women who are planning to have a child, should not consume drinks containing caffeine as some research suggests that consumption is linked to lower birth weights.