Caffeine was first mentioned in medical and botanical works in 1558. Friedlieb Ferdinand Runge first isolated caffeine from coffee beans in 1820.
Main active ingredient
- Caffeine
Legal status
- Legal
Forms of consumption
- Generally drunk
- More rarely: swallowed (in the form of tablets) or “sniffed” (in the form of powder)
Onset and duration of effect
- Onset: after approx. 10 minutes
- Duration: up to approx. 4 hours
Effects
- Stimulating and awakening effect
- Increased alertness, improved ability to concentrate and perform
- Euphoria
- Acceleration of heart rate
- Stimulation of digestion
Risks and side effects
- Nervousness, agitation, tremors
- Sleep disorders
- Palpitations and fluttering of theheart, arrhythmia, raised blood pressure
- Gastrointestinal disorders
Long-term risks
- Addiction
- Nervousness/irritability
- Sleep problems, fatigue/exhaustion
- Stomach ulcers
| Drink | Caffeine per can/bottle | Sugar per can/bottle |
| Espresso | 80 mg / 60 ml | |
| Coffee | 90 mg / 200ml | |
| Black tea | 45 mg / 200ml | |
| Green Tea | 30 mg / 200ml | |
| Coca-Cola | 25 mg / 250ml | 27 g |
| Red Bull Energy Shot | 74mg / 60ml | 6 g |
| Red Bull | 80mg / 250ml | 27 g |
| Coca-Cola Energy | 80mg / 250ml | 26,75 g |
| Nalu | 80mg / 250ml | 12.5 g |
| Monster Energy | 148 mg / 500ml | 57 g |
Good to know …
- Caffeine is found in many foods, including cola drinks, coffee/tea, energy drinks, guarana, maté tea, etc. Chocolate also contains caffeine. In addition, there are caffeine tablets or pure (synthetic) caffeine powder.
- It is only since the 20th century that coffee can be described as an everyday drink consumed by all levels of society.
- Caffeine is the most widely used drug in the world.
- Theine is chemically identical to caffeine.
- Consuming drinks containing caffeine together with alcohol is not a trivial matter. People consuming alcohol and caffeine can tend to misjudge their own performance.
Can you get addicted to caffeine?
Yes! If caffeine is consumed regularly, there is a risk of psychological and physical dependency. Withdrawal symptoms can include: headaches, high degree of nervousness, fatigue, exhaustion, depressive moods, irritability. This applies to all drinks containing caffeine (including energy drinks!).
Energy drinks
An energy drink is a drink containing caffeine and often sugar. The effects, risks and side effects, as well as the long-term risks, are the same as those of other drinks containing caffeine. In addition to this, they often have a high sugar content.
It is assumed that this high sugar content is the reason for the faster stimulating effect. There is no evidence for a stimulating effect of taurine which is often cited
by consumers.
There is no such thing as a risk-free consumption of legal and illegal drugs!
When consuming any legal and / or illegal drug, the subjectively perceived effects depend on various factors (how consumed, dose, age, gender, environment, mood as well as experience and expectation).
Consumption of any drug can result in addiction.
The consumption of legal and illegal drugs is to be discouraged:
- During adolescence (physical and mental development)
- When driving and during other activities requiring a “clear head” (e.g. sport, when operating machinery, …)
- At the workplace / at school
- During pregnancy and breastfeeding
- If there are previous medical conditions
Particular care is also required:
- If the quality of the product is unknown and cannot be checked
- In the event of combined use, e.g. alcohol and other drug
- When medication is taken at the same time
If you notice that a person is not well after having consumed legal or illegal drugs, act responsibly and look after that person. If in doubt, phone the emergency number and administer first aid.