Coffee. Energy Drinks. Sodas
Most Americans consume at least two of these beverages daily with very little thought, if any, to the amount of caffeine they are consuming or what that can mean for them.
It is not uncommon for someone to be physically dependent on caffeine without even knowing. Signs of caffeine dependence can include:
Withdrawal headaches when you drastically decrease or stop intake – Caffeine works to make the blood vessels narrow enough to restrict blood flow so if you skip a day those vessels will widen leading to a headache.
Fun fact – caffeine is an active ingredient in some prescription and nonprescription headache relievers.
Increasing use to get that same level of energy – When you drink caffeinated drinks daily, eventually you start to lose the boost you once got leading you to drink more and more just to get the same effect.
That is called tolerance and is no different than what people who use alcohol or illicit drug use experience
Anxiety – Caffeine can cause you to feel jumpy or jittery. For those with underlying anxiety, caffeine intake can make it worse.