Caffeine

From MEpedia, a crowd-sourced encyclopedia of ME and CFS science and history
The printable version is no longer supported and may have rendering errors. Please update your browser bookmarks and please use the default browser print function instead.

Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant and the active ingredient in coffee.[1][2][3] For most healthy people, it is not harmful to consume up to 400mg of caffeine a day.[3][4]

Uses[edit | edit source]

Caffeine occurs naturally in coffee, tea, cocoa, chocolate, guarana, and many other plants, foods and drinks.[2][3] Caffeine can also be taken as a supplement and may be added to other food or drinks, especially energy drinks.[4]

Caffeine is typically used for:

Energy drinks[edit | edit source]

Drinks marketed as energy drinks or sometimes sports drinks typically contain a number of different stimulants, including:

Energy drink brands include such as Spike Shooter, Pimp Juice, Red Bull, and Cocaine. [5]

Caffeine powder[edit | edit source]

The FDA has issued a warning against the use of caffeine powder, which can provide 1200mg of caffine per 0.15 tablespoons of pure caffeine, this is three times the suggested safe daily limit and a level high enough to cause toxic effects, including seizures.[4]

Theory[edit | edit source]

Evidence[edit | edit source]

Perscription drugs[edit | edit source]

Caffeine is FDA-approved for:

  • migraine and tension-type headaches, when combined pain relief drugs
  • Preventing headaches after surgery (for people who regularly consume caffeine)
  • Caffeine citrate is approved for pauses in breathing that may be followed by low heart rate and low oxygen levels in newborns.

ME/CFS[edit | edit source]

Many people with ME/CFS use caffeine to improve mental alertness or concentration or to reduce fatigue in the short term, but the 2014 International Association for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis primer cautions against excessive usage due to the risk of tachycardia and agitation.[6] Consuming caffeine in the afternoon or evening is also advised against for ME/CFS patients due to the likelihood of it causing or contributing to insomnia.[6] Adolescents and children with ME/CFS are advised to limit the use of caffeine for concentration/attention to times when it is particularly important, such as for exams, and to be aware of the caffeine found in energy drinks.[7]

Risks and side effects[edit | edit source]

For most adults, a limit of 400mg of caffeine daily is likely to be safe, although this may not necessarily be safe long term.[3][4] Just four cups of brewed coffee, ten cans of cola or two typical energy shot drinks provide the maximum recommended amount of 400mg of caffeine.[3] Caffeine sensitivity varies greatly between people so some people will experience harmful effects at much lower doses.[4]

High doses[edit | edit source]

Large doses of caffeine can cause serious adverse reactions, including even fatalities resulting from excessive consumption, especially in the form of "energy" drinks or caffeine powder.[4][5][8][2][3]

Caffeine is mildly addictive, but other substances found in energy drinks are more addictive.[8] Caffeine withdrawal is not considered dangerous.

Excessive caffeine intake causes:

Interactions[edit | edit source]

Caffeine may interact with certain perscription drugs or other supplements, particularly:

  • Ephedrine, which is used in decongestants
  • Theophylline, a medication used to open up bronchial airways.
  • Echinacea, a herbal supplement sometimes used to prevent colds or other infections[3]

Costs and availability[edit | edit source]

Very widely available and inexpensive.

Notable studies[edit | edit source]

  • 2015, Brain-derived neurotrophic factor concentration may not be depressed in chronic fatigue syndrome[9] - (Abstract)

See also[edit | edit source]

Learn more[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Caffeine". MedlinePlus. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "CAFFEINE: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews". WebMD. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 "Caffeine: How much is too much?". Mayo Clinic. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 Office of the Commissioner (December 2, 2021). "Spilling the Beans: How Much Caffeine is Too Much?". Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 Clauson, Kevin A.; Shields, Kelly M.; McQueen, Cydney E.; Persad, Nikki (May 1, 2008). "Safety issues associated with commercially available energy drinks". Journal of the American Pharmacists Association. 48 (3): e55–e67. doi:10.1331/JAPhA.2008.07055. ISSN 1544-3191.
  6. 6.0 6.1 International Association for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome / Myalgic Encephalomyelitis; Friedberg, Fred; Bateman, Lucinda; Bested, Alison C; Davenport, Todd; Friedman, Kenneth J; Gurwitt, Alan R; Jason, Leonard A; Lapp, Charles W; Stevens, Staci R; Underhill, Rosemary A; Vallings, Rosamund (2014), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Primer for Clinical Practitioners (PDF), Chicago, USA: International Association for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
  7. Rowe, Peter C.; Underhill, Rosemary A.; Friedman, Kenneth J.; Gurwitt, Alan; Medow, Marvin S.; Schwartz, Malcolm S.; Speight, Nigel; Stewart, Julian M.; Vallings, Rosamund; Rowe, Katherine S. (2017). "Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Diagnosis and Management in Young People: A Primer". Frontiers in Pediatrics. 5: 121. doi:10.3389/fped.2017.00121.
  8. 8.0 8.1 Calabrò, Rocco S.; Naro, Antonino; Bramanti, Placido (2016). "Chapter 72 - Caffeine and Taurine and Energy Drink Abuse". In Preedy, Victor R. (ed.). Neuropathology of Drug Addictions and Substance Misuse. 3. San Diego: Academic Press. pp. 723–732. ISBN 978-0-12-800634-4.
  9. Patrick, David M.; Miller, Ruth R.; Steiner, Theodore; Gardy, Jennifer L.; Parker, Shoshana M.; Tang, Patrick (April 3, 2015). "Brain-derived neurotrophic factor concentration may not be depressed in chronic fatigue syndrome". Fatigue: Biomedicine, Health & Behavior. 3 (2): 122–125. doi:10.1080/21641846.2015.1024004. ISSN 2164-1846.