What are the possible harmful effects of consuming a large amount of
caffeine within a short period of time?

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Clarification of Question by agawlbb-ga on 03 Dec 2002 12:39 PST

I should add that I am only concerned with healthy adults.

Hi there,

Caffeine is a drug, and there are harmful side effects involved when
it is taken in large doses. The worst side effect is death - the toxic
dose is about 10 grams, which equates to drinking roughly 100 cups of
coffee really quickly. [1]

The following are symptoms of a caffeine overdose ("caffeinism"),
which can occur from as little as 2 quick cups of coffee, if you are
not habitually exposed to caffeine.

A dose of 750 mg (7 cups of coffee) or more can produce the worst
effects, which are marked with an asterisk.


Symptoms - Adults
-----------------

body as a whole
-difficulty sleeping
-muscle twitching
-jitteriness
-confusion / delirium
-anxiety attack *
-light flashes *
-ringing ears *
-light-headedness
-drowsiness
-in and out of consciousness
-increased urination
-increased thirst
-fever *

respiratory
-difficulty breathing *
-irregular breathing

gastrointestinal
-nausea
-vomiting *
-diarrhoea *
-indigestion

heart and blood vessels
-irregular heartbeat
-rapid heart beat

nervous system
-convulsions *


Sources
-------

[1] Great Moments in Science
http://www.abc.net.au/science/k2/moments/gmis9812.htm

Medline Plus
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002579.htm

Medsafe NZ
http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/Profs/PUarticles/caffeine.htm

The Vaults of Erowid
http://www.erowid.org/chemicals/caffeine/caffeine_effects.shtml#3


Search Strategy
---------------

"Caffeine overdose"
://www.google.com/search?q=%22Caffeine+overdose%22


I trust this answers your question. If any portion of my answer is
unclear, please ask for clarification.

Best wishes,
robertskelton-ga

Good answer.