A normal dose of caffeine is generally
considered to be 100 mg, which is roughly
the amount found in a cup of coffee.
However, more than half of all American
adults consume more than 300 mg of
caffeine every day, which makes it
America's most popular drug. Caffeine is
generally consumed in coffee, cola,
chocolate, and tea, although it is also
available over-the-counter as a stimulant.
Caffeine is believed to work by blocking
adenosine receptors in the brain and other
organs. This reduces the ability of
adenosine to bind to the receptors, which
would slow down cellular activity. The
stimulated nerve cells release the hormone
epinephrine (adrenaline), which increases
heart rate, blood pressure, and blood flow
to muscles, decreases blood flow to the
skin and organs, and causes the liver to
release glucose. Caffeine also increases
levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine.
Caffeine is quickly and completely removed
from the brain. Its effects are
short-lived and it tends not to negatively
affect concentration or higher brain
functions. However, continued exposure to
caffeine leads to developing a tolerance
to it. Tolerance causes the body to become
sensitized to to adenosine, so withdrawal
causes blood pressure to drop, which can
result in a headache and other symptoms.
Too much caffeine can result in caffeine
intoxication, which is characterized by
nervousness, excitement, increased
urination, insomnia, flushed face, cold
hands/feet, intestinal complaints, and
sometimes hallucinations. Some people
experience the symptoms of caffeine
intoxication after ingesting as little as
250 mg per day. The lethal ingested dose,
for an adult person, is estimated to be
13-19 grams. While generally considered
safe for people, caffeine can be very
toxic to household pets, such as dogs,
horses, or parrots. Caffeine intake has
been demonstrated to reduce the risk of
type II diabetes mellitus. In addition to
use as a stimulant and flavoring agent,
caffeine is included in many
over-the-counter headache remedies.
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getridofcaffeine
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 25 Sep 2008 Posts: 11 Location: ,
Posted: 09-28-08 06:33am
Thanks so much for this article!
Very important, very important stuff in
there.
Especially:
"However, more than half of all American
adults consume more than 300 mg of
caffeine every day, which makes it
America's most popular drug. "
"ts effects are short-lived and it tends
not to negatively affect concentration or
higher brain functions. However, continued
exposure to caffeine leads to developing a
tolerance to it. Tolerance causes the body
to become sensitized to to adenosine, so
withdrawal causes blood pressure to drop,
which can result in a headache and other
symptoms. Too much caffeine can result in
caffeine intoxication, which is
characterized by nervousness, excitement,
increased urination, insomnia, flushed
face, cold hands/feet, intestinal
complaints, and sometimes
hallucinations."
I've suffered from caffeine addiction and
afterwards from withdrawal symptoms, but I
made it through, now live without it
(except for some normal tea maybe...) and
feel MUCH MUCH better.
I can sleep as long as I have the time to
again, I am more relaxed, can think
clearer.
I think the importance that "CAFFEINE IS
AMERICA'S MOST POPULAR DRUG" can not be
stressed enough. There needs to be more
talking about it.
But as long as billions and billions are
being made with Coke, Starbucks, Energy
Drinks and so on, there will probably
hardly be much public discussion about
it...
