It’s in coffee. It’s in soda. It’s in countless energy drinks. But, when is it too much caffeine?
Most people don’t realize that caffeine ranks very highly on the addictive drug list. I mean next to heroin and cocaine, it really doesn’t look so bad. Caffeine has become so ingrained in our society that we don’t even think twice about it.
But, there has been a recent buzz on caffeine powder. This powder is nearly 100 percent pure caffeine. One teaspoon of this pure stimulate is equal to about 25 cups of coffee. While caffeine might not be lethal, the powder certainly is.
Caffeine powder seems like a pretty easy solution to staying awake on those late nights studying or even just giving you that extra boost for class. Sometimes we all need a little pick-me-up. But, the problem is no one really knows the dose of caffeine they are consuming when they add the powder to their drink of choice. The lack of regulation on this product facilitates this problem and makes the powder really dangerous.
While it is more rare to overdose on caffeine because an average person can safely consume about 400 mg of caffeine a day (about 4 cups of coffee or 10 cans of soda), it is unfortunately becoming more common. A high school senior’s, Logan Stiner, sudden death revealed that caffeine powder was the cause. His autopsy expressed that he had "about 23 times the amount of caffeine found in a typical coffee/soda drinker".
His death has created both negative press for powdered caffeine and a rapid response from the federal food and drug administration. The FDA has begun its investigation and is working to create regulations. Currently, caffeine powder is sold as a dietary supplement. It can easily be purchased on many websites, as well as in vitamins/supplement aisles and shops. If caffeine powder is listed as a caffeine product, it could be subject to much more regulation.
Over the past few years, the FDA has been responsible for halting the sales of many caffeinated products. For example, Wrigley stopped selling caffeinated gum and Four Lokos, a caffeinated alcoholic beverage, was banned in many states.
Caffeine is one of the world’s most widely accepted drugs. While this fact shouldn’t stop you from having your morning coffee, it is important to note the dangers of caffeine powder. The potency of a single teaspoon can cause adverse effects in a matter of minutes.
Stiner’s death has been made an example of. But, this unfortunately is not the first time that there has been an incidence of death or severe injury from caffeine powder.