Caffeine Overdose Kills Prom King


One of the most shocking drug overdoses hitting the news today is the death of a young high school prom king, who overdosed on caffeine.

The Inquisitr has reported on the dangers of caffeine in the past, but it’s especially shocking to learn that the seemingly everyday substance is strong enough to kill. While most caffeine-related problems stem from energy drinks and coffee, it’s very difficult to overdose unless you consume a concentrated powdered form of the substance. According to CBS News, that’s exactly what happened to 18-year-old Logan Stiner of LeGrange, Ohio. Logan’s autopsy showed that he had ingested fatal amounts of caffeine, overdosing on the fine white powder.

Stiner’s body was found to have over 70 micrograms of caffeine per milliliter of blood in his body at the time of death. He suffered a seizure and cardiac arrythmia, which is an irregular heartbeat.

Logan’s body was found after the overdose by his brother on May 27. His mother, Katie Stiner, found the powdered bags of caffeine in the house later that day. It’s still unclear where Stiner got the caffeine, but his mother claims Logan said he had been using a substance “pre-workout.” Stiner competed on Keystone High School’s wrestling team. “He had no clue what he was doing,” his mother told a reporter. “We talked about everything.”

Logan Stiner had just been crowned king of his high school prom shortly before the overdose. He was a senior. Logan Stiner had not yet graduated at the time of his death.

According to USA Today, caffeine powder is not available in stores but can be purchased via the internet. It is much stronger than the caffeine found in beverages like coffee and soda. A single teaspoon of the powder contains about 1,600 milligrams of caffeine — which is the equivalent of 70 cans of energy drink. The caffeine powder is sold with warning labels to avoid this kind of shocking overdose. It suggests to weigh out safe amounts of powdered caffeine before consumption and claims the substance improves focus and endurance and can elevate mood. One version of the substance is a product called AuroShot, an inhalable caffeine powder only available online. The FDA is still looking for ways to regulate caffeine and caffeine-filled products such as the alcoholic, caffeinated beverage FourLoko.

“I never thought it would hurt an 18-year-old child,” local resident Lora Balka told WKYC. “I hope they paid attention and they learn something from it.”

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