The recommended caffeine intake has been told to be 100 mg per day, yet with individuals relying on it to do daily tasks, consumption has risen exponentially. The society we live in today has normalized the abnormal consumption of caffeine.

Caffeine is defined as a naturally occurring stimulant belonging to the alkaloid family, and has been deemed to be the most psychoactive substance in the world. Consuming low doses of caffeine can typically make people feel more alert and energetic, but at higher doses it can cause people to feel irritable, anxious and unable to sleep.

When going to a coffee shop, such as Starbucks, the most popular size I have noticed individuals ordering is a venti, or a large, holding an absurd amount of caffeine in each cup. One of the most popular drinks at Starbucks is the Iced Shaken Espresso. In the smallest size this drink contains two shots of espresso, the medium size contains three, and the largest size contains four shots. Each shot of espresso contains close to 64 mg of caffeine, so when individuals consume the largest size of the iced shaken espresso, they are drinking 256 mg. In this one drink, individuals are consuming close to 2.5 times the recommended daily dosage of caffeine in a single drink.
Individuals also rely on caffeine to workout by taking pre-workout,  or drinking energy drinks. The amount of caffeine found in pre-workout supplements, ranges from 150 mg up to 300 mg in a serving. In a single 16 oz can of bang there is 300 mg of caffeine. Many individuals will consume close to three times the daily recommended caffeine dosage in order to workout. Once these individuals get used to taking these supplements, they become too adjust- ed and addicted to taking caffeine before they workout and stop being able to have a good workout without caffeine. These individuals now become addicted to and have to continuously consume supplements containing caffeine for normal daily activities.

The adverse effects of consuming too much caffeine outweigh the benefits, and with our society today, many individuals fall into the category of too much consumption.

“I usually chug a monster or two after school to keep my energy going for the rest of the day when I go to workout. Despite it giving me the energy I need, I have noticed that when I drink too much of it, I start to feel anxious,” senior Brendan Kelly said.

Yes, caffeine is not the best for a young body. However, it is important to consider the factors contributing to the need for caffeinated substances. Teenagers are expected to study for 8 classes so they need to stay up all night to finish all of their assignments. Some teenagers have multiple sports practices a day, needing to fuel their mind and body. Before judging a teenager’s choice to consume excessive amounts of caffeine, consider the lifestyle they
are expected to live.