After the habitual two cups of Starbucks coffee, Adam set to work. So far, so good. But as the academic pressure mounted, he had to work longer hours, and that meant more coffee — a lot more coffee than he had ever consumed in his life. In fact, for six weeks, he had been drinking up to 10 cups of Starbucks coffee daily.

That is a lot of caffeine, considering that each large cup contains on average about 375 milligrams, according to a 2003 study of caffeinated coffee published in The Journal of Analytical Toxicology. With 10 cups a day, Adam was turbocharged with nearly four grams of caffeine.

So Adam was not just nervous about his academic work; he was also suffering from caffeine intoxication.

How, you might wonder, could such a ubiquitous substance be toxic? With an average of one to three cups of coffee a day, most people get 100 to 300 milligrams of caffeine. With chronic exposure, though, people become accustomed to the stimulant effects of caffeine. In contrast, a sudden increase in caffeine consumption can easily produce caffeine intoxication.

[New York Times: Jittery? Peevish? Can’t Sleep? What Are You Drinking?]

I like my coffee strong, without cream or sugar. I favor high-quality tea. And I surely love imported dark chocolate. All of these contain caffeine. So does cola and over-the-counter migraine medicine. Exposure to this mild stimulant is greater than one might think. Caffeine intoxication can also be mistaken for a manic espisode or a panic attack.

Surfing around, I found some interesting tidbits. For example, is there a legal limit on caffeine content? According to this FAQ:

In the United States there is a limit of 6mg of caffeine per liquid ounce in beverages. There is also a limit of 200mg in pills such as Vivrin.

Australia has a limit of Australia 145mg of caffeine per liter.

In parts of Northern Thailand it is completely illegal. It was outlawed as a precursor to meth.

The site mentions, as well, the chemical structure of caffeine, its flavor, symptoms of intoxication, effects of caffeine on bone density and pregnant women, and more.

On the other hand, you might be curious to read about caffeine myths and facts to find answers to questions such as whether caffeine causes cancer or heart disease, or generates hyperactivity in children.

My aim with this post is neither to condemn nor promote the use of the substance. I’m sure there are defenders on both sides of the issue.

As with most things in life, moderation is key. Some people are more susceptible to the effects of what they ingest, so they need to reduce consumption. What I find interesting is that we live with cultural pressure to be more and more active and productive, especially at work, which encourages greater use of caffeine. In itself it is not “bad,” but I do think the overall effects of prolonged, high consumption aren’t healthy. We could all benefit from slowing our pace. We’re here for such a short time as it is.

Also, please know it is important to see a medical professional for guidance. This blog nor any other site should be your sole authority regarding your health.