Caffeine overdose may have caused a driver to be charged with DUI. Although, caffeine is found in many energy drinks and also in one of the world's most popular beverage, coffee, how does it really affect us?
Joseph Schwab was pulled over for reckless and erratic driving in Fairfield, California. According to the officer on the scene his demeanor and performance on a number of fields in the sobriety test was somewhat suspicious.
Schwab was charged with DUI and even after a blood sample test turned out to be negative for recreational drugs such as THC, cocaine and opiates, the charges still stood.
The DA, however, later on filed to drop the charges as there was no substantiated evidence to prove that Schwab was under the influence of illegal drugs according to a report by CNN.
There are no regulations that cite caffeine as an illegal substance. However, FDA has recently started cracking down on the sale of caffeine.
By definition caffeine is a drug as it certainly affects the function of the body. It acts as a stimulant and can alter brain activities, although most people do not consider caffeine to be a drug.
Caffeine can even be purchased in a form of a pill at pharmacies packaged as the pill NoDoz which contains 200mg of caffeine. This pill is the equivalent of two cups of coffee and is sold over the counter.
In powder form, a small amount of pure caffeine can kill people. A tablespoon or eight grams of pure caffeine is lethal. Pure powdered caffeine is readily purchased online. For only $19, you can get a one-kilogram bag of the substance through Amazon.
A kilogram of powdered caffeine contains 125 lethal doses. There are true potential hazards if this substance is unregulated. Kids can get their hands on this substance as was reported in an article by the American Council on Science and Health.
