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Encyclopedia of Psychopharmacology pp 1–5Cite as

Caffeine Intoxication

Synonyms

Caffeinism; Caffeine ‘jitters’; Coffee nerves

Definition

Caffeine Intoxication or caffeinism is a medical and mental health condition that encompasses a variety of unpleasant mental and physical symptoms, all associated with the consumption of excessive amounts of caffeine. Symptoms primarily result from exaggerated stimulation of the central nervous system or other organ systems when high doses of caffeine are ingested. Caffeinism can cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. Symptoms resolve when caffeine ingestion is discontinued and the caffeine that remains in the body is metabolized and eliminated.

Role of Pharmacotherapy

Caffeine is generally accepted as the most widely consumed drug in the world. It is naturally present in coffee and tea, the most popular beverages in the world, and in cocoa, chocolate, and a number of other plants consumed in different parts of the world. Caffeine is added to...

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References

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, 27710-0001, Durham, NC, USA

    James D. Lane

Authors
  1. James D. Lane
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to James D. Lane .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Behavioural Pharmacology, King's College London Institute of Psychiatry P049, London, United Kingdom

    Ian P. Stolerman

  2. Brown Medical School, Butler Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island, USA

    Lawrence H. Price

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© 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Lane, J.D. (2013). Caffeine Intoxication. In: Stolerman, I., Price, L. (eds) Encyclopedia of Psychopharmacology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27772-6_243-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27772-6_243-2

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-27772-6

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