Caffeine
As can be seen above, caffeine consists of two carbon/nitrogen rings with oxygen and methyl groups as substituents. The fused rings are similar to those in adenine only the substituents differ. Caffeine is found in coffee, tea, and many soft drinks. There is also some amount of caffeine in chocolate, as well as a closely related stimulant, theobromine. The caffeine in sodas is generally produced from the cola berries, and is either a by-product of the cola flavoring or is added for flavor and stimulant effect. There are four ways in which caffeine stimulates the nervous system. Of these, one is of primary improtance. Another has some level of importance, and the other two only occur at unrealistically high levels of caffeine in the body. The first of these methods, and the most important, is blocking adenosine receptors. As caffeine has a similar structure to the adenosine group, but also has more heavily electrophilic and nucleophilic functional groups than adenosine as, for instance, seen in cyclic AMP. This means that caffeine will fit adenosine receptors as well as adenosine itself will. Thus, cyclic AMP remains active, rather than being broken down. Second among the effects of caffeine is phosphodiesterase inhibition. The phosphodiesterase class of enzymes includes a number of enzymes responsible for breaking down cyclic AMP, thus depriving the body of an energy supply. Caffeine fools phosphodiesterase into attacking it instead, which inhibits the breakdown of cyclic AMP. However, the concentration of caffeine required for this effect to become significant is sufficiently high that the adenosine blocking remains the dominant factor. The other two laboratory effects of caffeine have been judged insignificant in actual biochemical situations. Caffeine can increase the speed of rapid information processing by 10% 1, and a cup of regular (caffeine-containing) coffee after lunch helps to counteract the normal ‘post-lunch dip’ in ability to sustain concentration, aiding alertness 2. Research has also shown that a couple of cups of coffee help to improve alertness and concentration during night shift hours 3.
Caffeine is produced by plants as an insecticide. It is a drug that acts as a stimulant in humans and causes a raised heart rate, and is used to give more energy in drinks such as tea and coffee, add flavour to drinks such as coke, and in weight-loss foods. A raised heart rate increases the risk of cardiovascular disease as it makes the heart work faster which can wear it out. High levels of caffeine have been linked to increased stress and insomnia, which is also linked to heart disease as it raises blood pressure.
The exact process by which it affects the body is unknown. It is suspected that caffeine affects the nervous system by altering the perception of effort and exciting the neurons responsible for contracting muscles. It may also be accountable for causing more fat and less...
In class we have frequently discussed the I-function and how it relates to the body and the brain. Is the I-function a separate soul? Is it simply an extension of our DNA and genes? In addition, we have fretted over the I-function and its relationship to our behavior or personality. Where exactly the I-function is, we have also wondered. In this paper I will explore personality, the I-function and their relationship to genes and chemical changes that take place within the body. I will mainly look at how neurotransmitters affect overall happiness in an individual. How these chemicals are regulated by genes and by the environment, will also be questioned. Overall I will look at what makes us who we are. Are we simply programmed for life by our genes or do they even matter at all?
Although individuals try to stop using caffeine, some cannot because it has a strong hold on them and some people can stop. The people that doesn’t stop may fit the clinical definition of caffeine addiction. “In this study, 94% of participants experienced withdrawal when they attempted to stop using caffeine, and 94% continued to use caffeine even though they knew that they might be harming their health with their use.” Women stop taking in caffeine during their pregnancies. Studies suggest, caffeine can be harmful to a growing baby. Most individuals with mental illnesses might be asked to stop taking caffeine. (Caffeine Addiction). All races of women consume 200 milligrams of caffeine daily. They drink coffee, black tea, green tea, and soda. About 89 percent of United States women ages 18 to 34 consume two cups of coffee a day. Even though caffeine affects men more strongly than women, caffeine changes women's estrogen levels; it has different effects in Asian, white, and black women. Studies showed that the effect differ between men and women based on the caffeine intake they consume. Men consume 7 milligrams of caffeine a day. Other men consume 85 to 170 milligrams of caffeine a day. Thirtynine percent does not drink caffeine at all.
Caffeine functions similarly to the hormone adrenaline (State Government of Victoria, 2014), and increases dopamine levels causing you to feel happy. It blocks adenosine receptors, which prevents you from feeling drowsy (Staci, 2012). Caffeine also stimulates the brain, improves comprehension, memory, reflexes, and the clarity of thoughts (Important Facts About Caffeine, 2011).
It also leaves just as quickly as it enters the body, usually within an hour making it a safe stimulant. Caffeine blocks the effects of adenosine, lowers the blood pressure, and slows down your heart rate (Gladwell, 233). Through the test of time and experiments, it has been found safe and with a few side effects. I have found that certain caffeinated beverages would give me heartburn and in doing some research found that coffee and tea are acidic in nature; but unlike some other “legal” drugs, coffee and tea are safe and have not been proven otherwise. In contrast, cigarettes are legal and contain nicotine, a stimulant, which has been proven to be harmful and dangerous both to the smoker and the bystander. Malcolm Gladwell described an experiment performed by King Gustav III in the eighteenth century that showed the harmless effects of caffeine. The subjects outlived King Gustav III and the doctors in charge of the experiment (Java Man, 233). Except for caffeine and nicotine, all other stimulants would require a prescription and have many side
In general, people usually wonder whether the consumption of caffeine is beneficial or harmful to their health. There some benefits and risk of consuming caffeine but based on the different studies that have been conducted over the years, more importance are given to benefits of caffeine (Hensrud, 2014). According to Gunnars (2013), caffeine is good for health as it contains antioxidants and beneficial nutrients which may improve human health. Plus, Gunnars (2013) also stated that studies show that coffee drinkers have a much lower risk of several serious diseases and have proven to have some health benefits. First and foremost, caffeine help people feel less tired, increases memory and increases energy levels. This is because, when caffeine is consumed, it is absorbed into the bloodstream which then travels to the brain and caffeine blocks an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. Then, the amount of other neurotransmitter such as dopamine and noradrenaline increases which leads to enhanced firing of neurons. Therefore, this improves various aspect of brain function such as memory, mood, reaction time, alertness and energy levels (Gunnars, 2013).
Smith A, Sturgess W, Gallagher J. (1999) Effects of a Low Dose of Caffeine Given in Different
Caffeine is a mild stimulant that occurs naturally in at least 63 plant species. Caffeine can be found in the leaves, stems, seeds, and roots of these various plants. Caffeine is part of the methylxanthine family. It consists of a xanthine molecule with three methyl groups attached to it. Caffeine can be found in many products like sodas, tea, and coffee, but it also occurs in several other products such as prescription medications, diuretics, and pain relievers. Caffeine’s widespread use and popularity have caused many people to view the substance as an addictive drug. Thus making caffeine the most inexpensive and readily available drug known to man. Then on the other hand there are people who view caffeine as a helpful stimulant that increases the individual’s concentration and awareness as well as many other physical traits. The important thing to remember is that caffeine’s affects vary based on the person, the amount ingested, the frequency of consumption, and individual metabolism. (http://www.pp.okstate.edu/ehs/kopykit/caffeine.html)
Caffeine is a stimulant that has not been given the attention that some says it deserves. Caffeine is found in many everyday substances. It can be found in coffee, tea or sodas. Caffeine can be found on almost every street corner. There is a coffee place in just about every town. Sodas and coffee are found...
acts to decrease the heart rate. It achieves this by assisting in the release of acetylcholine from the vagus nerve. Atropine on the other hand block acetylcholine receptors thus decreasing cardiac rate. By placing potassium directly on the heart, its extracellular concentration increases thus decreasing the resting potential. This brings the resting potential closer to threshold and weakens myocardial contractions. Epinephrine’s action increases the strength of contraction and of the cardiac rate. Caffeine is a stimulant that also increases the strength of contraction and of the cardiac rate. It inhibits phosphodiesterase that breaks down cyclic AMP thus causing an increase in cAMP levels. Nicotine actively binds to the nicotinic receptors causing stimulation of the parasympathetic ganglia.
Preview: The potential effects are related to the main ingredient in coffee – caffeine. Caffeine is a drug that stimulates the central nervous system that increases alertness and energy, but it is also very addictive.
Coffee is the first thing that people associate with instant energy on a groggy morning. “In the U.S., coffee is king of beverages” (Reinke) Research has been done that has named coffee as an addiction to the people who consume large quantities of it. Coffee was named the top source of antioxidants. This is partly because of the amount consumed each day. Some of the antioxidants that coffee has are quinines and chlorogenic acid. It also contains trigonelline, an antibacterial compound. This is where coffee acquires its delicious aroma. Now let’s step back for a minute and just think about how much caffeine people consume. In an 8oz cup of coffee it has about 85 milligrams of caffeine. This is about double the amount that tea contains. Studies have shown that caffeine stimulates the brain and nervous system. This is where you get that energized feeling. After about the third cup, knees start to bounce, pens are clicking and people start running laps around the office. Caffeine can become addicting if you drink too much. Coffee can become that addictive habit people are unable to shake.
Millions of Americans begin each day by consuming the most widely used drug in the United States: Caffeine. Over 90% of United States adults consume caffeinated food or beverages on a daily basis and over 50% take more than the recommended amount. Our innocent daily ritual can turn into an addiction for some because many do not realize that caffeine is even a drug let alone the effects it can have on their bodies. Its use it becoming more and more prominent in our society. It’s not uncommon to walk outside and see a Starbucks or coffee shop on each corner. Innovative foods are coming out infused with coffee, and energy drinks are being pushed at every angle. Caffeine to many is a necessity to wake up in the morning and for others to stay up all night. This is dangerous because people are not only becoming more and more dependent on coffee drinks and energy drinks but they are beginning to ingest more of it each day and are now mixing it with other drugs that can be life threatening. Proper knowledge is important when taking any drug including one that the FDA considers to be a safe multi-purpose food substance and education is the key.
When a person drinks coffee, the caffeine is absorbed into the bloodstream and then travels to the brain where it blocks an inhibitory neurotransmitter called Adenosine. When this happens, the amount of other neurotransmitters actually increases.