Caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylxanthine), is a central nervous system stimulant. It has the following structural formula:
Caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylxanthine), is a central nervous system stimulant. It has the following structural formula:
Caffeine is a bitter, white crystalline xanthine alkaloid that is a psychoactive stimulant drug. Caffeine was discovered by a German chemist, Friedrich Ferdinand Runge, in 1819. He coined the term kaffein, a chemical compound in coffee, which in English became caffeine. Caffeine is found in varying quantities in the beans, leaves, and fruit of some plants, where it acts as a natural pesticide that paralyzes and kills certain insects feeding on the plants. It is most commonly consumed by humans in infusions extracted from the cherries of the coffee plant and the leaves of the tea bush, as well as from various foods and drinks containing products derived from the kola nut. Other sources include yerba mate, guarana berries, and the Yaupon Holly.
In humans, caffeine is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant, having the effect of temporarily warding off drowsiness and restoring alertness. Beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee, tea, soft drinks, and energy drinks enjoy great popularity. Caffeine is the world’s most widely consumed psychoactive substance, but unlike many other psychoactive substances it is legal and unregulated in nearly all jurisdictions. In North America, 90% of adults consume caffeine daily. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration lists caffeine as a “multiple purpose generally recognized as safe food substance”.
Caffeine has diuretic properties, at least when administered in sufficient doses to subjects who do not have a tolerance for it. Regular users, however, develop a strong tolerance to this effect, and studies have generally failed to support the common notion that ordinary consumption of caffeinated beverages contributes significantly to dehydration.
Caffeine is found in many plant species, where it acts as a natural pesticide, with high caffeine levels being reported in seedlings that are still developing foliages, but are lacking mechanical protection;[10] caffeine paralyzes and kills certain insects feeding upon the plant. High caffeine levels have also been found in the surrounding soil of coffee bean seedlings. It is therefore understood that caffeine has a natural function as both a natural pesticide and as an inhibitor of seed germination of other nearby coffee seedlings thus giving it a better chance of survival.
The most commonly used sources of caffeine are coffee, tea, and to a lesser extent cacao. Less commonly used sources of caffeine include the yerba maté and guarana plants, which are sometimes used in the preparation of teas and energy drinks. Two of caffeine’s alternative names, mateine and guaranine, are derived from the names of these plants. Some yerba mate enthusiasts assert that mateine is a stereoisomer of caffeine, which would make it a different substance altogether. This is not true because caffeine is an achiral molecule, and therefore has no enantiomers; nor does it have other stereoisomers. The disparity in experience and effects between the various natural caffeine sources could be due to the fact that plant sources of caffeine also contain widely varying mixtures of other xanthine alkaloids, including the cardiac stimulants theophylline and theobromine and other substances such as polyphenols which can form insoluble complexes with caffeine.
Caffeine side effects in the world of caffeine addiction is as vast as the arid lands of the Sahara. They even have the same hostile environment for their habitants. If people know what caffeine side effects produce in their bodies, why do they continue indulging themselves in marathonic coffee talks?
First, one need to take into account that caffeine side effects don’t have the same reaction in every body. The consequences will depend on several characteristics such as:
a) Level of tolerance and caffeine sensitivity.
b) Body weight, which has bigger action on people with smaller body mass and body structure.
c) Other environmental and health conditions like: levels of stress, anxiety, smoking habits or even a history of caffeine abuse.
Caffeine side effects have a massive participation in many aspects of the user’s life. If consumed in big quantities, caffeine can definitely have an adverse aftermath. Nevertheless, not all consequences are negative. It is believed that caffeine has a clearing effect and even healing properties on the human body. Here are a few responses that our organism have when in touch with caffeine.
a) Caffeine increments attentiveness and mental speed. A caffeine user is able to perform simple brain tasks. However, when dealing with complex reasoning, mental assertiveness does not function as appropriately as desired.
b) On the other hand, fine motor coordination is reduced. Don’t expect to operate dangerous machinery when you are under the effects of caffeine. The body is acting uncontrollably and may lack the sharpness to handle critical situations.
c) Heartbeat accelerates at an exaggerated rate, hence, causing an awakening of all human body responses. The feeling may be too overwhelming for the light user.
d) Other caffeine side effects include stiffen of arterial walls. This reaction may cause hypertension on the long run, but is only a temporary damage.
e) Caffeine addiction can cause strong headaches, dizziness, confusion and even some abdominal pain, especially among drinkers experiencing caffeine withdrawal.
f) Sleep deprivation is what people love the most about caffeine, since it keeps them awake for longer periods of time on required situations. Looking this scenario from another point of view, insomnia is not what you want when you need to save those good 8 hours of sleep.
d) Probably one of the least known caffeine side effects is that caffeine evokes excessive urination. Caffeine is a mild diuretic, and as any diuretic it increases urination urges.
e) The capability of physical improvement increases as caffeine acts on the muscles. Some research has been done regarding the use of caffeinated products with athletes. Even though it is not a dramatic change, caffeine can enhance physical performance. It does, however, produce a more efficient result in relaxing sore muscles after physical activity.
Caffeine addiction exists. WOW! It’s surprising reading that sentence all together, even scary isn’t it? Many information providers overreact in the articles that they publish about the real caffeine effects in our lives. It is no secret that addictions are to be of cared. It is no secret either that caffeine can cause addiction. Nonetheless, there’s no reasons to be alarmed.
We friendly tell you to sit back, relax and enjoy your daily cup of coffee. The United States Food and Drug Administration as well as the American Medical Association and many other institutions consider caffeine to be a safe drug; so there’s no need to worry about caffeine addiction. It can happen, they say, but it is nothing compared to the effects of heavier psychoactive drugs. Researchers could not find evidence that links caffeine use and significant health injury or death, due to addiction. Nonetheless, regular exercise routine, healthy diet and moderate consumption of other ‘light drugs’ (alcohol, tobacco), can definitely help a lot in preventing a heavy coffee user to suffer from caffeine addiction.
To better understand and act upon caffeine addiction, we need to know the factors that interact with a life style that is shared by millions of people, and a tradition that comes from thousands of years ago. For that particular reason, we will discuss three factors that surround the ‘caffeine maniacs’ culture.
Caffeine dependence: By definition, an addiction is an excessive dependence, be it physical or psychological. The addict persons reacts compulsively and obsessively towards a substance that allows them to interact with comfort in every day activities. A social burden exists around drug addictions. Caffeine had it easy though, since it is the most widely accepted social drug in the world. One of the negative effects of this type of addiction is the caffeine withdrawal effect, which the user experience whenever they deprive from the substance intake.
Caffeine tolerance: Tolerance happens whenever an addict or strong user becomes more resistant to the effect of the psychoactive compound. As a result, the user needs to take grater doses in order to achieve the same effect. Caffeine addiction, as many other drug addictions will depend on the person’s body weight, caffeine intake, levels of tolerance and other circumstances.
Caffeine treatment: A treatment is required for users that need to recover from their caffeine addiction. Professional recommendations suggest to start a treatment by reducing the amount of caffeine slowly. The caffeine consumer may experience strong caffeine withdrawal effects, which include, headaches, restlessness, insomnia and irritability.
Moderation is mandatory in everything we do. Caffeine effects don’t need to be so harsh on our mind and body. We can responsibly continue enjoying the wonderful elixir without suffering sickening consequences.