Caffeine: Central Nervous System

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1.) What is caffeine?
Caffeine is a plant product, and it is a stimulant that acts on the central nervous system. It is commonly found in coffee, soft drinks, and chocolate. (University of Michigan - University Health Service, https://www.uhs.umich.edu/caffeine)

2.) How does caffeine affect the central nervous system?
Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system. Specifically, caffeine suppresses adenosine, which is an inhibitory neurotransmitter. Adenosine slows neural activity, causing people to become tired. Therefore, when someone drinks caffeine, they do not become tired because caffeine suppresses the adenosine in the brain. Additionally, caffeine causes adrenaline to be released by the pituitary gland, increasing both attention and energy levels. Caffeine also increases the levels of dopamine, glutamate, serotonin, and cortisol in the brain. (McGill University, http://thebrain.mcgill.ca/flash/i/i_03/i_03_m/i_03_m_par/i_03_m_par_cafeine.html), (The Bioneer, http://www.thebioneer.com/caffeine-affects-neurotransmitters-profoundly-changes-brain) …show more content…

List the caffeine content of each item.
1.) Mountain Dew, 54 mg per 12 fl. oz.
2.) Starbucks Coffee, 330 mg per 16 fl. oz. (Grande size).
(Center for Science in the Public Interest,

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