Caffeine is one of the most popular drugs throughout the world today. Over 90 percent of the planet’s population consumes caffeine in one way or another. But this doesn’t just go for coffee – although coffee is a hugely popular drink.
Today, we’re talking about caffeine pills. Caffeine pills are a cheap and easy way to get your caffeine fix, but are they safe and how do they work?
What are caffeine pills
Let’s first take a brief moment to define caffeine. Caffeine naturally occurs in plants, like tea leaves and coffee beans. It’s a drug that stimulates the central nervous system. This is why, after you drink a cup of coffee, you have a quick boost of energy, you can stay awake longer, your mental focus is sharper and your headaches go away.
But what exactly are caffeine pills? Caffeine pills are supplements made using caffeine and sometimes other ingredients. You can also find caffeine pills made of synthetic or artificial caffeine.
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Caffeine pills and caffeine safety
The recommended dose of caffeine, which is deemed safe is approximately 200 to 400 milligrams per day.
So, how much caffeine comes in a standard caffeine pill? Most pills contain around 100 to 200 milligrams of caffeine each. But it’s important to check the label to know for sure.
How do caffeine pills compare to other forms of caffeine? Here’s a basic breakdown:
- 16 oz decaf coffee: 10 to 25 mg
- 14 oz coffee: 210 mg
- 2 oz espresso: 150 mg
- 16 oz black tea: 94 mg
- 12 oz diet cola: 46 mg
- 16 oz energy drink: 160 mg
- 1/16 tsp caffeine powder: 200 mg
You’ll notice that your average caffeine pill has about the same amount of caffeine compared to a standard sized regular coffee. But you may have noticed something pretty impressive: caffeine powder.
Just 1/16 teaspoon has a whopping 200 mg. So, you might be wondering if caffeine pills are just encapsulated caffeine powder? The answer is, No.
Caffeine powder vs. Caffeine pills
Back in 2018, the FDA took steps to ban pure and highly concentrated caffeine powder. One reason for doing so is because it’s incredibly difficult to measure out the correct amount of powder. You need specific measuring spoons, scoops and scales. Without these, it’s easy for people to overdo it on caffeine powder. And for some individuals, this has lead to a fatal end: death.
In recent years, an 18-year old and 24-year old died of caffeine overdose. You see, a cup of coffee seems like a lot more caffeine than a mere teaspoon of caffeine powder, but the former is a safe drink that millions of people enjoy every day. A teaspoon of caffeine powder can be fatal.
Therefore, if you wish to consume caffeine, but you want to avoid coffee, take a high-quality caffeine supplement. It’s a much safer, responsible route.
Benefits of caffeine pills
Most people love their cup of morning coffee. So, why would people take caffeine pills instead? There are several benefits that make them more appealing than a cup of Joe.
#1: Taste preference
Coffee is a legal, drinkable drug. But even though millions of people drink it, not everyone can drink it plain. Most people treat coffee as a vessel for cream, milk, flavored syrups and sugars.
However, if you don’t like the taste of coffee and you want to avoid loading up on a carb-heavy drink every day, a caffeine pill may be an easy way to get that buzz even without the cup in your hand.
#2: Easy on the stomach
Coffee can be pretty acidic and for some, this translates to irritation of the gastrointestinal tract. Caffeine pills come without all that acidity, however, they may still increase symptoms of acid reflux for some people. So, that’s something to look out for.
#3: Fewer bathroom trips
No matter how you consume it, caffeine is a diuretic. However, if you take caffeine in a pill form, you may have fewer trips to the bathroom compared to when you drink it in liquid form.
#4: Better for the environment
Coffee itself isn’t bad for the environment. But the way we consume it can be. Just think of all the disposable cups we throw away if you don’t use a reusable coffee cup. If you buy a couple of bottles of caffeine pills, the amount of waste you create in one year drops exponentially.
#5: Better for your wallet
The average American worker can spend around $1,100 a year on coffee. Compare that to about $50 to $100 on caffeine pills and it’s not hard to see that going the supplement route is much easier on your bank statements.
As you can see, there are some perks to caffeine pills. But before we close, it’s important to understand the risks of these easy-to-pop-in-your-mouth pills.
How to take caffeine pills safely
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You can still have a kick of caffeine without coffee, but here are 4 tips to do so safely:
#1: Watch your dosage
Most caffeine pills contain between 100 to 200 milligrams of caffeine. The recommended daily intake is about 400 milligrams for adults. Therefore, it can be very easy to overdose on caffeine if you’re not careful.
#2: Pay attention to your tolerance levels
Like any other drug, it’s easy to build up a tolerance to caffeine, and you may want to increase your daily dosage to give you the same buzz you had before. If you notice this happening, it’s time to scale back and start replacing caffeine pills with something else.
#3: Know the side effects
Caffeine pills can be great, but they can also bring some irritating side effects. Be on the watch for any of the following. If they continue, see your doctor and consider lowering the amount and/or frequency of your caffeine pills:
- Rapid heartbeat
- High blood pressure
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Tremors or jitters
- Diarrhea
- Digestive upsets
- Acid reflux
If caffeine pills are new to you, and you’re interested in trying them, please seek out high-quality supplements from a reputed company. Then, introduce them into your daily life gradually, making sure you observe how your body reacts. Less is more when it comes to caffeine pills.
