Effects of Caffeine and Other Stimulants

• Buffer
• Tweet

What is Caffeine?

Caffeine is a stimulant. It is found in every cup of coffee you drink (unless it’s decafinated, of course). Black tea also has caffeine in it. Both drinks can make you feel more awake and even more productive. There are many products on the market that also contain caffeine, such as Coca Cola, other soft drinks, chocolate, kola nuts, and certain medicines.

Caffeine has many effects on the body’s metabolism, including stimulating the central nervous system. This can make you more alert and give you a boost of energy. It is a central nervous system stimulant and a diuretic.  

Effects of Caffeine

Excessive caffeine intake can lead to a fast heart rate, excessive urination, nausea, vomiting, restlessness, anxiety, depression, tremors, and difficulty sleeping.

For most people, small amounts of caffeine are not harmful. Caffeine is absorbed very quickly, and then passes into the brain. However, too much caffeine can make you restless, anxious, and irritable. It can also keep you from sleeping well and cause headaches, abnormal heart rhythms, or other problems.

You may feel you can’t live without your morning coffee. If you can’t go without coffee, Coke, Diet Coke, Pepsi, or Mountain Dew, then you are addicted.

If you stop using caffeine, you could get withdrawal symptoms. Abrupt withdrawal of caffeine may cause headaches, drowsiness, irritability, nausea, vomiting, and other symptoms. Reduce caffeine intake gradually to prevent any symptoms of withdrawal.

The American Medical Association Council on Scientific Affairs says that moderate tea or coffee drinking has no negative effective on one’s health, as long as the person lives an otherwise healthy lifestyle.

Caffeine does not accumulate in the bloodstream, nor is it stored in the body. It is excreted in the urine many hours after it has been consumed.

Caffeine will not reduce the effects of alcohol, although many people still believe a cup of coffee will “sober-up” an intoxicated person.

Why do so many people crave caffeine? It can be used as a treatment for migraine  headaches and in relieving, for a short time, fatigue or drowsiness. Many people drink coffee to wake up and feel more energy.

How Caffeine Can Be Harmful

There is no nutritional requirement for caffeine, so it can be completely restricted in a diet. Avoiding caffeine may be necessary for women who are pregnant. Many drugs will interact with caffeine, so it’s a good idea to check with your doctor.

The action of caffeine on the human heart is so stimulating and damaging that when a person has a heart attack, high blood pressure, kidney or bladder disturbance, normally their physician will prohibit any coffee or caffeine consumption.

When you drink caffeinated drinks, the caffeine in the drink causes increased neuron activity in your brain, which in turn results in the release of adrenalin. 

As the adrenalin high wears off, you start to feel tired, irritated, confused and may experience a headache. This usually results in reaching for another cup of coffee, tea, or soda.

Caffeine can cause all sorts of damage to your health.  Here are just a few:

• The liver releases higher amounts of sugar and fat into the blood stream.
• The adrenal glands pump out stress hormones that stay elevated for up to 18 hours after consumption
• The pancreas produces insulin to remove the excess blood sugar and store it as fat.
• The insulin spikes create highs and lows with blood sugar.
• Muscle tension is increased.
• The blood vessels constrict, reducing the flow of oxygen to areas like your brain and your extremities.
• Digestion and the immune system are impaired or suppressed.
• The production of DHEA and other anti-aging hormones is decreased.
• Cortisol and other stress hormones are elevated.
• Calcium and Magnesium are lost by drinking coffee.

Quitting Caffeine

The best way to curb caffeine cravings is to wean yourself away from coffee and caffeinated sodas. You will probably feel withdrawal symptoms at first, but there are some ways to help you kick the habit.

• Eat five to six small meals a day and include some protein in each meal. This will help keep your blood sugar stable and provide you with the energy to keep going all day long.
• Drink at least eight glasses of water. Water will help keep you energized
• Drink a glass of water or green tea in the morning to help you wake up.
• Use your usual coffee break to take a little brisk walk outside.
• Switch to green tea. In addition to tasting great and giving you energy, it is packed with flavonoids and antioxidants, both of which are beneficial to your health.

Resources About Caffeine

Properties and information about Caffeine

Myths about caffeine

Resource by Your Societea

Your Societea is an online community for tea enthusiasts to talk about their favorite tea and buy premium loose leaf teas from around the world.

Related Research For Teachers, Students, and Kids