Caffeine is a powerful drug that acts as a central nervous system stimulant. Caffeine is one of the most widely used drugs in the world and is found in coffee, chocolate, tea, kola nut and over-the-counter medications. Caffeine can affect the body and central nervous system depending on the person's age, daily consumption and overall health.
Sleep and Wakefulness
Caffeine can have a powerful impact on preventing sleep and promoting wakefulness. Caffeine acts as a central nervous system stimulant, which can help people to wake up faster in the morning, but may also make it much harder to quickly fall asleep at night. According to Insomniacs UK, caffeine suppresses melatonin for up to 10 hours and also promotes adrenalin. Melatonin is strongly associated with quality sleep, while adrenalin is the neurotransmitter associated with alertness. According to Medical News Today, caffeine alleviates daytime sleepiness, but poses serious problems at night when trying to get to sleep. Insomniacs UK states that coffee drinkers may take twice as long to fall asleep compared to those drinking decaffeinated coffee.
Effects on Memory
Caffeine can also have a significant impact on memory. According to Softpedia, researchers at Medical University Innsbruck found that caffeine can help boost short-term memory. Study participants received the equivalent of around 2 cups of coffee and brains scans showed a significant increase in the frontal lobes, the part of the brain where working memory networks are located. In addition, Science Daily reported that researchers at the Florida Alzheimer's Disease Research Center found caffeine to reverse the effects of Alzheimer's disease. The researchers found that caffeine consumption in early adulthood significantly reduces the chances of developing Alzheimer's disease later in life. Caffeine works by reducing the build up of the protein associated with Alzheimer's, which is known as beta amyloid.
Psychological Effects
Caffeine can result in several psychological effects. In the November 2005 issue of "Advances in Psychiatric Treatment," Dr. Anthony Winston and associates said that caffeine can have several positive psychological effects including increased alertness, reduced fatigue and elevated mood. These effects may help with specific tasks such as driving. The researchers also reported negative psychiatric effects. Caffeine is addictive and can cause withdrawal symptoms including irritability, headache, confusion, insomnia, nausea and anxiety. People with pre-existing psychiatric disorders may also be negatively affected by caffeine. Excess consumption of caffeine can have the same symptoms as anxiety disorders. Caffeine may also influence the development of anorexia and bulimia in those who have been shown to consume large amounts of caffeinated drinks. Caffeine may also exacerbate the symptoms of schizophrenia due to its ability to increase the neurotransmitter dopamine.
References
- Insomniacs UK: Effect of Caffeine on Sleep
- Medical News Today: Caffeine and Melatonin Effects on Sleep and Jetlag
- Softpedia: Caffeine Boosts Short-Term Memory
- Science Daily: Caffeine Reverses Memory Impairment In Mice With Alzheimer's Symptoms
- "Advances in Psychiatric Treatment"; Neuropsychiatric Effects of Caffeine; Dr. Anthony Winston et al.; November 2005
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