Molly Chaffin Caffeine

Caffeine is a very well known drug to most Americans, and is the most consumed psychoactive drug in the world. It is used on a daily basis by the majority of society and is found most commonly in coffee beans, tea leaves, Kola nuts, yerba mate, guarana, and is added as flavoring in many sodas. Caffeine acts as a stimulant to the central nervous system. It is usually ingested by mouth and is absorbed into the blood through the small intestine. It is then metabolized by the liver and excreted through the kidneys. This drug acts primarily on adenosine receptors in the brain. Usually, adenosine bonds to phosphate to make energy by producing ATP. When adenosine bonds to the adenosine receptors in the brain, it reduces the amount of free ATP in the brain, causing one to become drowsy. However, when caffeine is ingested, it binds to the adenosine receptors, blocking adenosine from binding and leaving more free ATP in the brain. Caffeine also affects the endocrine system through the pituitary gland. Caffeine causes the pituitary gland to release the hormone adrenaline, which causes an immediate burst of energy. It also blocks the enzyme phosphodiesterase from removing the second messenger cAMP, so the excitatory signal from adrenaline lasts

Molly Chaffin longer. However, when this effect wears off, the lack of adrenaline causes the body to crash afterwards. Caffeine also causes the pituitary gland to release dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that relays information to the brain. Dopamine is important for memory, problem solving and motivation. It is considered a reward chemical in the brain, and when released causes a person to feel happy. Dopamine also controls regulation of movement in the brain; when too much caffeine is ingested, excess dopamine is release causing a person to feel twitchy or jittery. Caffeine also can directly affect the heart or indirectly affect the heart through affecting the brain. High doses of caffeine can increase the heart rate up to ten to twenty beats per minute. There is also some research showing an increased risk of heart attacks for regular caffeine users. However, the typical amount of caffeine consumed does not affect heart function in a normal, healthy person. Caffeine can also negatively affect other areas of the body such as the eyes and reproductive system. This drug causes blood vessels in the eyes to constrict, limiting the amount of nutrients that can reach the cells. Caffeine also has shown some negative effects on the reproductive system. Pregnant women are not recommended to consume caffeine because of a link lower birth weights and other health risks. Caffeine users can build up a tolerance to the drug, requiring higher consumption to produce the same effect. Fatal overdose is extremely rare, but can occur. Caffeine poisoning can produce effects such as nausea, vomiting, tremors, and

Molly Chaffin irregular heart rate. These symptoms also occur in young children, but extreme amounts of caffeine must be ingested for this to occur. Caffeine dependence is sometimes found in frequent users. Although caffeine dependence is not strong enough to be classified as addictive, many caffeine users will experience withdrawal symptoms within the first day without the drug. Symptoms include headache and fatigue and usually persist for up to two weeks. However, giving up caffeine entirely can be quite difficult because it is so commonly found in the American diet in items such as chocolate, sodas, and many pain medicines.

Molly Chaffin References Parry, Kathryn (2012). How Caffeine Works. Health Guidane. Retrieved from http://www.healthguidance.org/entry/14239/1/How-Caffeine-Works.html. Kuhn, C., Swartzwelder, S., & Wilson, W. (2003). Buzzed: the straight facts about the most used and abused drugs from alcohol to ecstasy. 59-73. Reisberg, Paul (1997). Caffeine. Retrieved from http://www.wellesley.edu/Chemistry/Chem101/caffeine/caffeine.html.