I enjoy drinking coffee and I also take thermogenic fat burners from time to time which have caffeine in them. However, I am well aware of the fact that caffeine is a drug with considerable potential to cause dependence. In light of this, I will play devil’s advocate and present an argument against regular caffeine consumption.

Caffeine is a powerful stimulant which signals your pituitary gland to trigger the adrenal glands to make stress hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine. These hormones cause vasoconstriction, increased pulse and increased respiratory rate which impart a feeling of alertness. The concern with such a cascade is that chronic daily intake of caffeine in amounts as low as 300 milligrams per day may cause your adrenal glands to burn out. If adrenal function starts to plummet, you may turn to more caffeine to get the same energy boosting results. Caffeine also reduces serotonin levels, increasing the tendency towards insomnia and the jitters. The typical image of the person who has had too much coffee and is hypervigilant is a prime example of this.

Energy drinks pack at least twice the amount of caffeine that a cup of coffee does, and with the surge in popularity of such drinks, it is no surprise that adrenal exhaustion is becoming more prevalent. Another concern with high intake caffeine is the depletion of vitamin C and the B-complex vitamins. There is less concern with individuals who supplement properly and practice balanced nutrition, but such depletion can be disastrous for an overly stressed individual who skips meals and fails to replenish depleted nutrient stores.