With cleanses and detoxes all the rage, caffeine cleanses have emerged as a popular choice among those looking for a reset. For regular coffee drinkers, this can reset some of their daily rituals and break habits of overconsumption but also reset their mental and physical well-being.

In America, 80% to 90% of all adults consume caffeine regularly. The average daily amount consumed by an American is 280 mg. SPA students often boast about their minimal hours of sleep or their time spent studying. In this culture of tiredness, caffeine can be an elixir of productivity. However, students hoping for a quick energy boost may not realize caffeine’s effects on the body and mind.

Caffeine is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant with addictive properties. It is a competitive adenosine receptor antagonist that prevents drowsiness. Caffeine consumers have increased adenosine receptors in their CNS and become more sensitive to its expected physiologic effects, meaning they get more tired.

The significant sources of caffeine in the US are coffee, tea, and soft drinks. Energy drinks have also been gaining popularity around the world. A total intake of no more than 400 mg daily is accepted as a healthy amount; this would typically be 3 to 4 cups of coffee, 10 cans of caffeinated soda, or two energy drinks.

While it’s perfectly alright to dabble in caffeine and indulge in a caffeinated drink regularly, students should be aware of the amount of caffeine from their favorite sources. A Starbucks grande drip coffee has 330 mg of caffeine, whereas the Bubblr’s from SPA’s vending machines are stocked with around 69 mg of caffeine. Energy drinks like Red Bull have around 80-114 mg per serving, and a Celcius contains 200 – 300 mg. With such easy access to caffeine, many overindulge without realizing it.

Drinking excess amounts of caffeine regularly can cause physical, emotional, and psychological dependence. Frequent caffeine users will experience withdrawal symptoms if they don’t get their usual fix. Some symptoms include headaches, anxiety, depression, and insomnia.

It’s not just the amount of caffeine that should be a reason for concern; the quality also matters. As coffee culture evolves, beverages are appealing to more people. Instead of what coffee used to be, a simple brewed cup in the morning, perhaps black or with a few sugars, many fancy drinks have become laden with sugars and syrups, which also contribute to an initial energy boost and then a crash.

It’s not all bad, though. Coffee has over 800 volatile compounds, with caffeine being the most commonly known. Recent research has linked coffee with health benefits, such as its potential benefits in avoiding type 2 diabetes and liver disease. So, if you’re a coffee lover, there’s no need to feel guilty. Just remember to enjoy it in moderation, about 3-4 cups (300-400 mg/d) a day, which suggests little risk and mainly benefits cardiovascular health.

A quick Google search of “Caffeine Cleanse” will reveal a list of products to buy. However, all one needs to do a caffeine cleanse is resilience and maybe some decaffeinated drinks to supplement. So, if hoping to reduce the amount of caffeine one consumes on a daily basis, try decaf and stay hydrated, but mostly stay mindful of caffeine consumption as it can have serious impacts on daily life.