By Lily Bonadies

Multimedia Editor

To get going every morning, Jess Debs ’22, drinks a medium Dunkin’ Donuts iced tea. “On a bad day, I’ll have two cups. It energizes me and keeps me focused.”

Busy college students often look for a boost – to study, get through practice or make it to that late-night party. But is that morning (or afternoon) caffeine jolt helping you or hurting you?

According to the Mayo Clinic, drinking caffeine in moderation – up to 400 milligrams a day – is safe for most adults. That’s equal to about four cups of coffee, 10 cans of soda or two energy shot drinks.

Caffeine is a stimulant that can keep you awake and focused, but it can also have some negative side effects, said Lewis First, a pediatrician at the University of Vermont Medical Center. “It can increase heart rate, blood pressure and even result in hallucinations and seizures,” he said, adding that irritability, anxiety, headaches and sleep problems can also be problems. In the long term, he added, Drinking too much caffeine “can also cause the body to lose calcium, contributing to bone loss over time, and can increase the potential for dental cavities and weight gain.”

A survey of 57 of St. Michael’s students showed that most of them do not rely on caffeine to power their day.

In fact, less than half — about 40% — said they drink caffeine daily. (About 59% said they don’t rely on caffeine at all.) With midterms right around the corner, you’re probably not getting much sleep and are trying to stay focused. Caffeine can be useful for giving you a little boost with your day-to- day crazy lifestyle, but remember to drink it in moderation. That way, your caffeine buzz won’t turn into caffeine overload.