Skip to main content

Can you drink coffee with caffeine, and does it cause insomnia?

Answers

masso 12 Sep 2023

Hello,

Yes, one can drink coffee as long it does not interact negatively with a particular medication or condition one may have and yes caffeine causes insomnia depending on how sensitive the person is to caffeine, the amount of caffeine ingested and at what time of the day you drink it.

"Although caffeine is generally safe in low-to-moderate amounts, high levels of consumption can cause unpleasant and even dangerous side effects.

1. Anxiety
Caffeine is known to increase alertness.

It works by blocking the effects of adenosine, a brain chemical that makes you feel tired. At the same time, it triggers the release of adrenaline, the “fight-or-flight” hormone associated with increased energy (8Trusted Source).

However, at higher doses, these effects may become more pronounced, leading to anxiety and nervousness.

2. Insomnia
Caffeine’s ability to help people stay awake is one of its most prized qualities.

On the other hand, too much caffeine can make it difficult to get enough restorative sleep.

3. Digestive issues
Many people find that a morning cup of coffee helps get their bowels moving.

Coffee’s laxative effect has been attributed to the release of gastrin, a hormone the stomach produces that speeds up activity in the colon. What’s more, decaffeinated coffee has been shown to produce a similar response (19Trusted Source, 20Trusted Source, 21Trusted Source).

Given this effect, it’s not surprising that large doses of caffeine may lead to loose stools or even diarrhea in some people.

4. Muscle breakdown
Rhabdomyolysis is a very serious condition in which damaged muscle fibers enter the bloodstream, leading to kidney failure and other problems.

Common causes of rhabdomyolysis include trauma, infection, drug abuse, muscle strain and bites from poisonous snakes or insects.

5. Addiction
Despite all of caffeine’s health benefits, there’s no denying that it may become habit-forming.

A detailed review suggests that although caffeine triggers certain brain chemicals similarly to the way cocaine and amphetamines do, it does not cause classic addiction the way these drugs do (30Trusted Source).

However, it may lead to psychological or physical dependency, especially at high dosages.

6. High blood pressure
Overall, caffeine doesn’t seem to increase the risk of heart disease or stroke in most people.

However, it has been shown to raise blood pressure in several studies due to its stimulatory effect on the nervous system

7. Rapid heart rate
The stimulatory effects of high caffeine intake may cause your heart to beat faster.

It may also lead to altered heartbeat rhythm, called atrial fibrillation, which has been reported in young people who consumed energy drinks containing extremely high doses of caffeine

8. Fatigue
Coffee, tea and other caffeinated beverages are known to boost energy levels.

However, they can also have the opposite effect by leading to rebound fatigue after the caffeine leaves your system.

9. Frequent urination and urgency
Increased urination is a common side effect of high caffeine intake due to the compound’s stimulatory effects on the bladder.

You may have noticed that you need to urinate frequently when you drink more coffee or tea than usual.

The bottom line
Light-to-moderate caffeine intake seems to provide impressive health benefits in many people.

On the other hand, very high dosages may lead to side effects that interfere with day-to-day living and might even cause serious health issues.

Although responses vary from person to person, the effects of high intake demonstrate that more isn’t necessarily better.

To get the benefits of caffeine without undesirable effects, conduct an honest assessment of your sleep, energy levels and other factors that might be affected, and reduce your intake if needed."

Source: Healthline
The Medical Affairs team works tirelessly to help ensure the scientific accuracy and integrity of all Healthline content, products, and services. Our dedicated team also manages the extensive Healthline Medical Network.

Regards, masso

Votes: +0
Drugs.com free discount card

Related topics

insomnia, caffeine, hypersomnia

Further information

Similar questions

Search for questions

Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.