Police Warn of Dangers of Caffeine Overdoses

Gloucester Township Police are warning about the dangers of caffeine overdoses.

Caffeine is one of the most commonly used stimulants across the United States. This includes coffee, sodas, energy drinks, and chocolate.

Pure caffeine powder has been identified in several fatal overdoses. It poses a significant risk to those who use it due to its high potency and its difficulty to measure accurately.

The amount of caffeine in one cup of coffee - 100 milligrams – is barely enough to cover your fingernail, and the amount of powder that would fit inside a large-size gel-cap will kill.

The caffeine absorbs right through a person’s skin when it is handled, making it difficult to know how much is being absorbed.

Despite the warning, police said there are no documented deaths due to caffeine overdoses that have taken place in Gloucester Township.

Symptoms of excess caffeine include:

• Jitters, restlessness, and nervousness
• Increased heart rate
• Increased blood pressure
• Nausea
• Anxiety
• Heart palpitations
• Insomnia
• Sweating
• Dizziness
• Dehydration
• Vomiting
• Seizure
• Cardiac arrest

The Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) offers the following advice:

• Avoid using powdered caffeine
• It is nearly impossible to accurately measure powdered pure caffeine with common kitchen measuring tools and you can easily consume a lethal amount
• If you believe you are having an adverse event related to caffeine, stop using it and seek immediate medical care or advice