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An inquest in Australia has heard that Christina Lackmann, a 32-year-old from Melbourne, died of a caffeine overdose. Lackmann, who was studying biomedical science at a college in Australia, called a helpline after feeling dizzy and numb. However, help did not show up for another seven hours, by which time she was found dead on the floor of her bathroom. Here’s what we know about caffeine overdose
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The death of a woman in Australia is shedding light on a little-known danger – caffeine overdose.
An inquest in Australia has heard that a 32-year-old woman died of a caffeine overdose.
Christina Lackmann, 32, from Melbourne, was found dead in her home in April 2021.
But what happened? How much is too much?
Let’s take a closer look:
What happened?
Lackmann was studying biomedical science at a college in Australia.
She called a helpline around 8 pm after feeling dizzy and numb.
However, the operator decided Lackmann was likely suffering from Vertigo.
The operator, thus labelled the call was ‘non-urgent’.
By the time the ambulance showed up, it was past 2 am.
Lackmann was found dead on the floor of her bathroom – next to her dog.
A report later confirmed she had toxic levels of caffeine within her body.
Emails showed she had received at least 9200 milligram caffeine tablets that very day.
“I am satisfied that Christina’s death was the consequence of the ingestion of caffeine tablets,” coroner Catherine Fitzgerald said. “However, I am not satisfied to the requisite standard that Christina intended to take her own life, although this remains a distinct possibility.”
How much is too much?
First, let’s take a brief look at caffeine.
Caffeine is a natural compound.
It can be derived from coffee beans, cacao beans, kola nuts, tea leaves, yerba mate, and the guarana berry.
It is both a diuretic and a central nervous system stimulant.
Tens of millions of people around the world consume caffeine every day in several forms including coffee, some teas, chocolates, sodas and energy drinks.
People mostly do so when waking up in the morning or when they are suffering from fatigue and drowsiness at work during the day and need a jolt of extra energy.
The US Food and Drug Administration says an adult can safely consume around 400 milligrams of caffeine every day – between two and four large cups of coffee.
However, like with any other substance, too much of caffeine can be a bad thing.
Caffeine overdose
While everyone’s body is different, anyone consuming too much caffeine is at risk of an overdose.
Caffeine overdose symptoms can include
In more serious cases, signs of a caffeine overdose can include
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Difficulty breathing
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Hypertension
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Seizures
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Nausea and vomiting
Caffeine overdose is no small matter. It can cause
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Heart damage
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Brain damage
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Kidney damage
In case you suspect you are suffering from a caffeine overdose, see a doctor immediately.
While death is rare, it can occur – like it did in the case of Lackmann.
This isn’t the first such case in Australia.
In March 2024, Katie Donnell, a 28-year-old fitness influencer passed away from a caffeine overdose.
Her heartbroken mother said energy drinks were to blame.
In 2018, Australian musician Lachlan Foote died of caffeine toxicity.
The 21-year-old had added a teaspoon of caffeine powder to a protein shake.
With inputs from agencies