Caffeine is considered one of the most popular — and powerful — drugs in America. With a huge chunk of the population consuming coffee or tea daily, and a majority of them being dependent on it, it’s not hard to see why. You’re likely a caffeine lover yourself, relying on a cup of coffee every morning to wake you up and help you focus.

General consensus is that coffee is pretty good for you. Research has shown that coffee in moderation can actually protect your brain from cognitive impairment and dementia, including Alzheimer’s. Coffee has also been shown to lower inflammation, decrease your risk for diabetes, and benefit your heart health as well. In short, the benefits of coffee abound.

But while natural caffeine (which comes from coffee beans or tea leaves) is perfectly healthy in moderate doses, many of the other energy drinks and sodas out there are filled with synthetic caffeine, a substance that was created in the labs of food manufacturing giant Monsanto during World War II. This video created by Reveal explains the background on synthetic coffee, noting that before WWII, Americans imported caffeine in its natural form, but this soon began to run out. So Monsanto, which is now notorious for its production of genetically modified organisms, decided to develop synthetic caffeine right here in the U.S. While synthetic caffeine is chemically identical to natural caffeine, it's often easier to lose track of the amount you're consuming when you drink Coca Cola after Coca Cola, or mix Red Bulls with vodka.

Synthetic caffeine is sold in bags of white powder, and even just a tiny bit of it can be potent. One tablespoon of pure caffeine powder is the equivalent of drinking 192 Coca-Colas or 50 coffees, and it’s enough to kill you. However, as the video notes, you can buy synthetic caffeine powder online and it’s hardly regulated.

In addition, there can be some side effects when you’ve consumed a little too much caffeine. Caffeine is a diuretic, meaning it can dehydrate you without you realizing it. And too much can cause heart problems and even an overdose. So before you think about picking up the third Red Bull of the day, think twice and reach for a glass of water instead.