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The smell of coffee is enough to stimulate the mind, getting you ready for the day. Though it’s tempting to chug a ton, each person has limits, and there’s a point where it’s best to throw in the towel. Can you overdose from espresso and, if so, how many does it take to walk the line? We’ll answer both below.

Healthy limits

This information is by no means meant to scare anyone away from enjoying coffee. Coffee boasts many benefits when enjoyed in moderation, including alertness and smoother digestion. Just like with any other food or beverage, espresso is best enjoyed in moderation, ensuring not to exceed healthy limits.

According to the FDA, it’s recommended to have no more than 6 shots of espresso per day. As far as cups of coffee, 5 to 6 is considered in the healthy range. Going over these amounts could lead to caffeine toxicity or a wide range of other side effects like nausea, headaches, and quickened heart rate.

When considering healthy limits, the key thing to remember is that all individuals respond differently to espresso. You may need to talk to your doctor to determine your response and make sure that you’re not drinking too much.

How much caffeine is too much?

When speaking about caffeine, experts tend to measure in milligrams. To put that into perspective, each 8oz. cup of coffee has about 70 to 140mg. When consuming espresso rapidly, there have been reports of toxic effects when consuming over 1200mg.

In a day, 400 milligrams of caffeine are considered a safe amount. That equivalates to about 4 to 5 cups of coffee a day. This is not just espresso but also pressed coffee and other items that contain caffeine like soda, tea, and medications.

Though this is a standard estimate, everyone responds to caffeine differently. Some are hypersensitive, getting anxiety and jitters when drinking only a cup. It’s best to observe your sensations after a cup and stop drinking if you start to feel common symptoms of overconsumption.

Symptoms of overconsumption of caffeine

When you drink large amounts of coffee, especially over a short period of time, you may start to feel anxious or nervous. If you suspect that you’ve drunk or consumed too much, here are some symptoms to look for.

• Increased heart rate
• Rapid breathing
• Anxiousness
• Headache
• Nausea
• Jitters
• Strange dysphoric sensation
• Stomach pain
• Vomiting

How many shots of espresso will kill you?

Rapid consumption of 12 to 14 shots of espresso has led to seizures and death in some individuals. For the day, toxic amounts of espresso are considered anything over 156 shots. 156 shots of espresso is a large amount of coffee, causing the body to react.

Your body is a smart piece of machinery and will likely not allow you to digest more than you need without some warning signs. You may feel nauseous and start to vomit if you’re getting close to your limits, so be sure to watch for these kinds of symptoms.

Is caffeine okay for children?

Adults can be sensitive to caffeine and so can children. It’s recommended not to give children too much caffeine, especially staying away from beverages and foods with high concentration. As far as espresso, most experts say to avoid giving it to children, especially those who are under the age of 15.

Just like with any kind of food or drink, moderation is key. There is nothing wrong with a sip here and there, especially if children enjoy the taste. For the most part, they tend to not like it, only later developing a taste for it.

Breaking caffeine habits How to do it without withdrawals

Caffeine is a stimulant and can cause those who are prone to addiction to develop a need. When cutting off consumption, those who have formed an addiction can feel anxious and start to get a headache without consumption.

These feelings can have an effect on the mood, as the body and the mind feel like they are missing something. To reduce caffeine consumption without the negative side effects, it’s recommended to reduce consumption gradually.

For instance, if typical consumption is 5 shots of espresso a day, it’s recommended to reduce to 4, then to 3, until stopping at the desired amount. Symptoms of withdrawal are unpleasant but do not pose any risks to the health and will not cause toxicity in those who have been drinking coffee heavily for years.

Factors that increase caffeine sensitivity

If you suspect that you’re sensitive to caffeine, you may want to talk to your doctor. There is no one definition of how your body will react, though there are some factors that can contribute to an increased sensitivity, a few of which are listed below.

Your sex

Women have a particular set of enzymes and microbes that allow them to digest caffeine quickly. It’s for this reason that they are typically less sensitive to caffeine than men. Men take a long time to digest caffeine and can therefore feel more sensitive to it.

Your medication

Some medications, especially birth control, can cause the body to become more sensitive to caffeine. It’s best to talk to your doctor about caffeine consumption and your current set of medications to make sure that there are no negative reactions and interactions.

Your genetics

Genetics plays a major role in a lot of things. One of them is how your body digests and interacts with foods. Those with close relatives that have a sensitivity could also be prone to developing a sensitivity, lacking some of the genes necessary for digestion.

One such gene is ADORA2A, which synthesizes caffeine and plays a role in the effect of caffeine on sleep.

Your usual consumption

Many people have coffee every day, developing a reduced sensitivity over time. However, there are some that have an occasional cup of coffee. Those that do not typically drink coffee can be more sensitive to caffeine, feeling jittery and anxious quickly after consuming.

Your disorders

Some disorders, like anxiety and depression, tend to worsen when exposed to high levels of caffeine. Caffeine is a stimulant and may make the mind and heart race, leading to more intense symptoms. Those with disorders that affect the mood should carefully monitor their body’s response to caffeine.

Final thoughts

Espresso is a great start to anyone’s day, boosting the mood and stimulating the mind. Though it can be beneficial in some ways, drinking too much can come with dangerous and unpleasant side effects. If you feel like you have a sensitivity, talk to your doctor to find the cause and take steps to gradually reduce consumption.

Drinking more than 156 shots of espresso can kill you, though that’s not an easy number to reach. The key is enjoying in moderation and keeping the body from a sudden reaction.