I’m the first to admit to not being able to do without a cup of coffee in the morning to get me going, but if your caffeine intake throughout the day is too high, it can have the opposite effect. After the artificial high subsides, many people may reach for more coffee for another lift, and this pattern over stimulates the adrenals and then weakens them with persistent or chronic use.

Caffeine initiates uncontrolled neuron firing in your brain, and this excess neuron activity triggers your pituitary gland to secrete a hormone that tells your adrenal glands to produce adrenalin.

When this adrenal high wears off later, you feel the drop in terms of fatigue, irritability, headache or confusion. This is why caffeine is so addictive, as the high wears off, we tend to look for another dose of caffeine to pick us up again. And to make matters worse, we often use sugar-laden snacks in our need for that energy boost, which defeats any weight loss plan. Both caffeine and sugar only give you temporary feelings of increased energy, which quickly dissipate, leaving you wanting more. Initially, caffeine may lower blood sugar which can lead to increased hunger or cravings for sweet snacks.

After prolonged caffeine intake, your body enters a state of adrenal exhaustion. Your adrenal glands have been stimulated so much, they simply burn out. Caffeine will still force your glands to secrete and they have to work harder and harder, making you more and more tired.

Each individual has a different tolerance level when it comes to caffeine, but here are some facts and figures to serve as guidelines.