Caffeine is the most used stimulant drug in the world. A Healthline article found that almost 80 percent of the United States takes some form of caffeine every day. Caffeine is a stimulant that affects the body in numerous ways, mentally and physically.
The biggest misunderstanding with athletes is that a large dose of caffeine before practice or a game will turn them into a high power athlete. In reality, those large doses of caffeine lead to withdrawal. Caffeine’s main function is to hide the sensation of fatigue, which enables athletes to maintain their endurance for longer periods of time. When an athlete takes a large amount of caffeine, the purpose of caffeine gets masked by high blood pressure, headaches, insomnia and more. In an athlete’s case, caffeine in bones prevents calcium absorption, which means that bones may break more easily. This means that if an athlete drinks more than 4 cups of coffee every day, they run the risk of damaging their bones and bone health.
Being a student-athlete is challenging: homework and sports schedules often clash, creating a small window for sleep and energy. Senior Ella Dean said, “If I got little sleep the night before school, I would most likely have an energy drink or some sort of coffee.” If athletes are experiencing no sleep and have to intake numerous amounts of caffeine in place for the lack of sleep, they are stuck in a dangerous cycle where they will eventually experience a crash.
Energy drinks are different from sports drinks. Sports drinks like Gatorade and Powerade are designed to replenish water and electrolytes that might have been lost through sweating during exercise. All brands of energy drinks share one thing: they all contain caffeine. Manufacturers are not required to list the caffeine content from certain ingredients, so the actual caffeine dose in a single serving might be much higher than listed. Head Athletic Director Mike Osbutsz said, “I would say that drinking water has been shown to be the most effective way to hydrate.” In some energy drinks, the total amount of caffeine can exceed 500 mg, and that is high enough to create the result of caffeine toxicity.
Caffeine overdose, or caffeine toxicity, is the intake of too much caffeine through drinks, foods or medications. Consuming high caffeine doses, whether through energy drinks, supplements or coffee can lead to serious side effects. A Cosmos study shows that between 2017 to 2024, the rate of ER visits related to caffeine overdose for ages 15 to 18 more than doubled. Treating a caffeine overdose includes breathing support and fluids.
A study done on caffeine shows that it triggers the release of adrenalin. If the amount of caffeine someone intakes is high enough, these effects will lead to caffeine-induced anxiety. Sophomore Claire Salatino said, “I feel like I do become dependent on caffeine because I rely on it to keep me awake during class.” Caffeine consumption can lead to symptoms similar to psychiatric conditions. Anxiety can make it extremely hard for students to get schoolwork done or to study. It can affect relationships with friends and teachers as well. Caffeine intake is also associated with sleeping problems and daytime sleepiness in teens, and sleep is critical for brain development in teens.
While caffeine is a very powerful stimulant, it can have some beneficial effects. In moderate doses, caffeine can improve endurance modestly. Head Athletic Trainer Arika Smetana said, “The recommended caffeine dose is 3-6 mg/kg of your body weight. This dose has shown to help increase athletic performance. However, that should only be consumed through natural caffeine without additives.” For trained athletes, caffeine can have benefits. For certain high intensity sports, caffeine can enhance an athlete’s performance. Many students struggle to perform well on exams in the morning, and caffeinated beverages can help with memory. A study done by PubMed Central showed that caffeine has a specific benefit for memory, but only during a students’ non-optimal time of day, in the morning. Freshman Grace Berger said, “Energy drinks help me get ready for my day, when I drink them they help me have a better attitude and energy level.”
Caffeine is found in almost all food and beverages. It is in soda, chocolate, and even some cereal. Like many drugs, it’s dangerous if someone was to build up a tolerance to caffeine. It boils down to how a person’s body works. A safe dose depends on body mass, health, and metabolism. It also relies on how regularly the body is used to having caffeine. If you as a student do have a high intake of caffeine, try to lower your consumption in slow doses to get your body used to less caffeine, and eventually you will be able to function without it.