caffeine and Alcohol

{Drug} and Alcohol

  1. Authored by Philippa Gold Edited by Hugh Soames Reviewed by Michael Por, MD
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What happens when you mix caffeine and alcohol

 

Side effects of mixing alcohol and caffeine can include

 

  • Dizziness
  • Sluggishness
  • Drowsiness
  • Shortness of breath
  • Itching
  • Hives
  • Palpitations
  • Respiratory Depression
  • Cardiac Arrest
  • Coma
  • Seizures
  • Death

 

Interestingly, it is impossible to tell what effect caffeine and alcohol will have on an individual due to their own unique genetic make up and tolerance. It is never advisable to mix caffeine and alcohol due to the chances of mild, moderate and severe side effects. If you are having an adverse reaction from mixing caffeine and Alcohol it’s imperative that you head to your local emergency room.

 

Alcohol and caffeine

 

Alcohol and caffeine creates a that has different effects depending on the dose: many people feel stimulated and strengthened at low doses of alcohol and caffeine and even mixing a small amount of caffeine and alcohol is not recommended.

 

Addiction Counselling for Alcohol Misuse

 

If you or a loved one is experiencing problems with Alcohol, Compulsive behaviors or any emotional wellbeing issues we have a range of vetted Counselors and Therapists near you and online.

Mixing alcohol and caffeine

 

The primary effect of alcohol is influenced by an increase in the concentration of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA, which is found in the spinal cord and brain stem, and by a reduction in its effect on neuronal transmitters that are excitatory. When alcohol is combined with caffeine this primary effect is exaggerated, increasing the strain on the body with unpredictable results.

 

Alcohol and caffeine affects dopamine levels in the brain, causing the body both mental and physical distress. Larger amounts of caffeine and alcohol have a greater adverse effect yet leading medic al recommendation is that smaller does can be just as harmful and there is no way of knowing exactly how caffeine and alcohol is going to affect an individual before they take it.

 

Taking caffeine and alcohol together

 

People who take alcohol and caffeine together will experience the effects of both substances. Technically, the specific effects and reactions that occur due to frequent use of caffeine and alcohol depend on whether you consume more alcohol in relation to caffeine or more caffeine in relation to alcohol.

 

The use of significantly more caffeine with alcohol will lead to sedation and lethargy, as well as the synergistic effects resulting from a mixture of the two medications.

 

People who take both alcohol and caffeine may experience effects such as:

 

  • reduced motor reflexes from alcohol and caffeine
  • dizziness from alcohol and caffeine
  • nausea and vomiting of the caffeine

 

Some people may also experience more euphoria, depression, irritability or all three. A combination of alcohol and caffeine leads to significantly more lethargy which can easily tip over into coma, respiratory depression seizures and death.  Be cautious about continuing on with your daily life as a functioning alcoholic as it can disguise some of the more serious health impacts.

Alcohol Vs caffeine

 

Taking caffeine in sufficient quantities increases the risk of a heart failure. Additionally, people under the influence of caffeine and alcohol may have difficulty forming new memories. With alcohol vs caffeine in an individual’s system they become confused and do not understand their environment. Due to the synergistic properties of caffeine when mixed with alcohol it can lead to confusion, anxiety, depression and other mental disorders. Chronic use of caffeine and alcohol can lead to permanent changes in the brain.  Stopping Alcohol Consumption can cause alcohol withdrawals while stopping caffeine can also cause withdrawals.

 

caffeine Vs alcohol

 

Studies investigating the effects of drugs such as caffeine and alcohol have shown that the potential for parasomnia (performing tasks in sleep) is dramatically increased when caffeine and alcohol are combined. Severe and dangerous side effects can occur when medications are mixed in the system, and sleep disorders are a common side effect of taking alcohol and caffeine together.

 

When a small to medium amount of alcohol is combined with caffeine, sleep disorders such as sleep apnea can occur. According to the latest data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) most ER visits and hospitalizations caused by too much alcohol were associated with other substances such as caffeine.

 

caffeine and alcohol

 

Caffeine is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant of the methylxanthine class. It is mainly used recreationally as a cognitive enhancer, increasing alertness and attentional performance. Caffeine acts by blocking binding of adenosine to the adenosine A1 receptor, which enhances release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Caffeine has a three-dimensional structure similar to that of adenosine, which allows it to bind and block its receptors. Caffeine also increases cyclic AMP levels through nonselective inhibition of phosphodiesterase.

Caffeine is a bitter, white crystalline purine, a methylxanthine alkaloid, and is chemically related to the adenine and guanine bases of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). It is found in the seeds, fruits, nuts, or leaves of a number of plants native to Africa, East Asia and South America, and helps to protect them against herbivores and from competition by preventing the germination of nearby seeds, as well as encouraging consumption by select animals such as honey bees. The best-known source of caffeine is the coffee bean, the seed of the Coffea plant. People may drink beverages containing caffeine to relieve or prevent drowsiness and to improve cognitive performance. To make these drinks, caffeine is extracted by steeping the plant product in water, a process called infusion. Caffeine-containing drinks, such as coffee, tea, and cola, are consumed globally in high volumes. In 2020, almost 10 million tonnes of coffee beans were consumed globally. Caffeine is the world’s most widely consumed psychoactive drug. Unlike most other psychoactive substances, caffeine remains largely unregulated and legal in nearly all parts of the world. Caffeine is also an outlier as its use is seen as socially acceptable in most cultures and even encouraged in others.

Source

 

How long after taking caffeine can I drink alcohol

 

To avoid any residual toxicity it is advisable to wait until the caffeine has totally cleared your system before drinking alcohol, even in small quantities.

 

Overdose on caffeine and alcohol

 

Overdose on caffeine and alcohol is alarmingly common and can often be fatal. In the case of Overdose on caffeine or if you are worried after mixing caffeine and alcohol call a first responder or proceed to the nearest Emergency Room immediately.

 

If you are worried about someone who has taken too much caffeine or mixed alcohol with caffeine then call a first responder or take them to get immediate medical help. The best place for you or someone you care about in the case of a medical emergency is under medical supervision. Be sure to tell the medical team that there is a mix of caffeine and alcohol. The combination of alcohol and caffeine increases the likelihood that a person would be transferred to intensive care.

 

If you take caffeine, and also smoke weed or take MDMA, you can research the effects of caffeine and weed , caffeine and Cocaine as well as caffeine and MDMA here.

 

To find the effects of other drugs and weed refer to our Weed and Other Drugs Index A to L or our Weed and Other Drugs Index M-Z

Or you could find what you are looking for in our Alcohol and Other Drugs index A to L or Alcohol and Other Drugs index M to Z or our MDMA and Other Drugs Index A to L or MDMA and Other Drugs Index M to Z. or Cocaine and Other Drugs index A to L or Cocaine and Other Drugs index M to Z

To find information on Drug rehab and addiction treatment all over the world

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If you are drinking too much alcohol it may be worth understanding if you are suffering from alcoholism.  If you are please consider reaching out for help.

 

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caffeine and Alcohol

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