About Us

We're the creators of BetterSleep, a leading wellness app helping over 60 million people around the globe sleep better.

We’re on a mission to help people around the world live a happier, healthier life, through expert-led meditations, sleep stories, brainwaves and more.

Share article
Too Much Caffeine
sleep / wellness
Too Much Caffeine
by BetterSleep
4 min read
Share article

For the majority of us, it’s hard to imagine a morning without some kind of caffeine. Caffeine has become a staple part of modern life, from starting your day with a fresh cup of coffee to chugging that energy drink before your mid-afternoon crash hits. In fact, about 90 percent of Americans consume some sort of caffeine in the morning. Even though something such as a cup of coffee seems innocent, it’s important to remember that caffeine is a

drug. And like any drug, there are benefits and downsides; you should know to take care of your health.

Wondering how much caffeine you should have every day? why you don’t feel awake even after your second cup of coffee? Or how long does caffeine last? Today, we’re answering some common questions about caffeine reading.

Can Too Much Caffeine Make you Tired?

For many, a morning coffee or an afternoon energy drink is the go-to solution for that much-needed kick to face the day. Caffeine, with its stimulating properties, promises alertness and heightened concentration. Yet, the adage "Too much of a good thing is bad" holds true even for this beloved stimulant. 

Consuming too much caffeine can make you tired, a surprising outcome for those who lean on it for energy.

How does caffeine affect you?

Caffeine is a stimulant that stimulates the brain and nervous system, helping people feel more awake. How does it work? Blocking sleep-promoting receptors in the brain, adenosine receptors result in sleepiness. But, according to the Houston Methodist Medical Center, consuming caffeine blocks adenosine from getting to those receptors, meaning your brain will stay awake.

How long does caffeine last?

It takes roughly four to six hoursfor your body to break down half of the amount of caffeine you ingested. Say you had one cup of coffee, then you’ll still have half the amount of caffeine in that cup of coffee four to six hours after you drank it. It can take around ten total hours for caffeine to leave your system entirely. Though everyone processes caffeine at different rates, studies suggest having your daily caffeine dose before 3 p.m. if you want to have a good night’s sleep.

Why doesn’t caffeine affect me?

There’s a variety of reasons you may not be feeling the effects of caffeine as others. According to Insider, these are some factors that affect your caffeine tolerance.

  • Genetics
  • Overconsumption of caffeine (reduced tolerance)
  • Poor sleep

Sources of caffeine

Caffeine comes from more places than just your morning cup of joe. Here are some other familiar sources.

  • Tea, soft drinks, energy drinks
  • Candy, gum, and other packaged foods
  • Some beauty products like lip balm, eye cream, body scrub, and body lotion

How much caffeine do you drink? An cup of coffee can contain around 95-200 mg ofcaffeine, and a twelve-ounce soda can contain 35-45 mg ofcaffeine. But to accurately measure your consumption, check the labels. Even a single can of RedBull can pack 111 mg of caffeine, with some energy drinks like Spike Hardcore packing 350 mg per bottle.

How much caffeine is too much?

The average person in the US will drink around 180 mg of caffeine per day or about two cups of coffee. 250 mg of caffeine per day has shown to wake up the brain and improve concentration. According to the FDA, even a daily intake of 400 mg of caffeine per day, around four or five cups of coffee, isn’t generally associated with adverse effects, according to the FDA (this doesn’t apply to pregnant women or mothers that are nursing). Toxic effects like seizures have been seen in people who rapidly drink around 1,200 mg of caffeine.

However, everyone has a different tolerance level, age, medications, overall health, genetics, and more affect how you react to caffeine it’s always best to talk to your doctor if you have specific questions.

Side effects of too much caffeine

You may notice the following symptoms if you’ve had too muchcaffeine.

For children who don’t have a high caffeine tolerance, too much caffeine can raise blood pressure and impact sleep. The science on how caffeine affects the developing brain is still new. It’s not recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics for kids to have caffeine in their diet.

What counts as “too much” caffeine comes down to what each individual can handle.

As much as we try, nothing can replicate the feeling you get after a good night’s sleep! Even though coffee can temporarily make you feel more awake, your body will still be physically and mentally tired. If you’re looking to improve your sleep, try leveling up your sleep routine with BetterSleep’s easy-to-use tips and resources.

Share article

Related posts

The Importance of Sleep
sleep / wellness
The Importance of Sleep
by BetterSleep
8 min read
Best Teas for Sleep
sleep / wellness
Best Teas for Sleep
by BetterSleep
10 min read
Coffee Naps: What Are They and Do They Work?
sleep / wellness
Coffee Naps: What Are They and Do They Work?
by BetterSleep
5 min read
Reading Before Bed: What You Should Know
sleep
Reading Before Bed: What You Should Know
by BetterSleep
7 min read
Can BetterSleep Help with Snoring?
sleep / news
Can BetterSleep Help with Snoring?
by BetterSleep
8 min read
Remembering Dreams: Why You Don't
sleep
Remembering Dreams: Why You Don't
by BetterSleep
7 min read
Understanding Deep Sleep
sleep
Understanding Deep Sleep
by BetterSleep
10 min read
Nightmares in Children
sleep / lifestyle
Nightmares in Children
by BetterSleep
7 min read
Why You Need to Start Listening to Sleep Stories
sleep / news
Why You Need to Start Listening to Sleep Stories
by BetterSleep
9 min read
Night Terrors Explained: How to Help Someone With Night Terrors
sleep
Night Terrors Explained: How to Help Someone With Night Terrors
by BetterSleep
10 min read

Top 10 posts

From Stress to Success: How to Manage Back-to-School Anxiety
wellness / mental health
From Stress to Success: How to Manage Back-to-School Anxiety
by BetterSleep
5 min read
Behind the Scenes: Pride 2024 at BetterSleep with Collin Martin
lifestyle / news
Behind the Scenes: Pride 2024 at BetterSleep with Collin Martin
by Scott Yim
4 min read
Waking Up to Injustice: The Intersection of Racism, Sleep Deprivation, and Black History
news / mental health
Waking Up to Injustice: The Intersection of Racism, Sleep Deprivation, and Black History
by BetterSleep
8 min read
Sleep Paralysis Explained
sleep
Sleep Paralysis Explained
by BetterSleep
10 min read
How to Cope with Holiday Depression and Stress
mental health / wellness
How to Cope with Holiday Depression and Stress
by BetterSleep
5 min read
Have a Healthy Holiday Season
news / wellness
Have a Healthy Holiday Season
by BetterSleep
5 min read
Mindful Listening
lifestyle / mental health
Mindful Listening
by BetterSleep
6 min read
Sleep Hypnosis Apps: A Guide to Self-Hypnosis
sleep
Sleep Hypnosis Apps: A Guide to Self-Hypnosis
by BetterSleep
7 min read
Calming Foods for Anxiety
wellness / mental health
Calming Foods for Anxiety
by BetterSleep
8 min read
Brown Noise
sleep / wellness
Brown Noise
by BetterSleep
4 min read