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Caffeine is, by far, the most widely used and accepted mood-altering drug in the world today. Ninety percent of Americans generally consume fair amounts of caffeine every day. Recreationally, this highly addictive drug is most often used to provide a boost of energy or a feeling of heightened alertness. What we do not know about caffeine is that this stimulant affects your brain in the same ways that amphetamines, cocaine, and heroin do. It is a potent and quick-acting drug which produces an affect to stress response in our bodies. For this reason, caffeine can cause a wide array of psychological effects, ranging from subtle changes in mind and mood to extreme addiction that affects one's personality, behavior, and emotions.

Caffeine has an almost instant effect on your mind and body which will continue to influence you for six to eight hours later. It affects each person differently, depending on individual circumstances, such as weight and build. Symptoms appear to be dose related. So, what may be considered minimal intake for one person could produce serious effects on a more caffeine sensitive individual.
Caffeine in moderation is the key! Yet, how do you determine moderate consumption of caffeine? The average American consumes between 200 and 250 milligrams a caffeine a day. These levels may be "normal," but that does not mean they are safe. That means that just one cup of coffee could put you at risk for health complications. If you take in between 100 and 300 milligrams, you are in the "danger zone. This, therefore, includes the average American caffeine consumer. With caffeine being found in a wide variety of popular drinks, foods, and even medications today, keeping track of intake may be more difficult than one thinks.
The basis for the results of caffeine depend not only on the amount and the individual consuming caffeine, but also are determined by the length of time the drug is used. Yes, it is a drug! Most often, caffeine is consumed to stay awake longer or to temporarily become more energetic, alert, and focused. Subjectively, people report that caffeine gives them a "lift." They feel less drowsy, less fatigued, and more capable of rapid and sustained intellectual effort. As a college student, I often submit to drinking large amounts of caffeine long enought o finish the paper due at 9am that I put off all week. So, usually a person will use caffeine only once in awhile, for it's effects. That is

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