Why Caffeine is Addictive

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.

In a recent study, women aged 65–77 who drank more than 300 mg of caffeine daily, about 18 ounces of regular coffee, showed greater bone loss over a three-year period than those who drank less.
Some studies suggest that two to three cups of coffee can raise blood pressure around 10 points.
Drinking more than four cups of coffee a day may increase the risk of heart problems.
A new study suggests that even two six-ounce cups of coffee a day may increase blood test values that measure inflammation.
Although there seems to be some confusion as to whether caffeine is a diuretic or not, there is overwhelming evidence to support that it leads to dehydration, which in turn is bad for long term weight loss.

Caffeine content guidelines

Coffee	Serving Size	Caffeine Content
Brewed coffee	8 oz	133 mg
Star bucks Brewed Coffee (Grande)	16 oz	320 mg
Espresso	1 oz	40 mg
Instant coffee	8 oz	93 mg
Decaffeinated coffee	8 oz	5 mg
Tea	Serving Size	Caffeine Content
Brewed tea	8 oz	53 mg
Green tea	8 oz	15 mg
Arizona Iced Tea	16 oz	32 mg
Soft Drinks	Serving Size	Caffeine Content
Diet Coke	12 oz	47 mg
TAB	12 oz	46.5 mg
Pepsi	12 oz	38 mg
Coca-Cola Classic	12 oz	35 mg
Sprite, regular or diet	12 oz	0 mg
Vault	12 oz	71 mg
Mountain Dew	12 oz	54 mg
Energy Drinks	Serving Size	Caffeine Content
Enviga	12 oz	100 mg
Tab Energy	10.5 oz	95 mg
Red Bull	8.3 oz	80 mg
Spike Shooter	8.4 oz	300 mg
Tab Energy	10.5 oz	95 mg
Monster	16 oz	160 mg
Full Throttle	16 oz	144 mg
Chocolates	Serving Size	Caffeine Content
Hershey's Chocolate Bar	1.55 oz	9 mg
Over The Counter Medications	Serving Size	Caffeine Content
Vivarin	1 Tablet	200 mg
NoDoz (Max strength)	1 Tablet	200 mg
Midol	1 Tablet	32 mg
Vanquish	1 Tablet	33 mg
Weight Loss Supplements	Serving Size	Caffeine Content
Hydroxycut Hardcore	3 capsules	300 mg
Xenadrine Hardcore	2 Capsules	360 mg
Triple Tea Fat Burner	1 capsule	80 mg
Animal Cuts	1 Pack	200 mg

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References:
1. Caffeine Blues by Stephen Cherniske
2. Image by rudat