The National Institutes of Health defines narcolepsy as a chronic central nervous system disorder that affects your brain’s ability to manage natural sleep-wake cycles. While occasional fatigue or drowsiness is common, those with narcolepsy experience an uncontrollable urge to sleep. This urge may happen at any point throughout the day, and although this condition is not curable, it may be treated through central nervous system stimulating drugs. Because caffeine stimulates your nervous system, natural proponents claim it may be an effective treatment plan; however, the scientific community does not fully support this use.
How Caffeine Works
Within 15 minutes of consuming caffeine, its effects may be felt, and its stimulating properties may last as long as 6 hours after consumption. Caffeine creates a prolonged period of alertness by hindering adenosine receptor sites. Adenosine is a chemical responsible for promoting sleep, thus by hindering the accumulation of this chemical, you can temporarily decrease sensations of tiredness.
Evidence on Narcolepsy
An article in the August 1989 issue of the “Medical Hypotheses” journal suggests narcolepsy occurs when abnormally high levels of adenosine spill over and cause sudden bouts of sleepiness. Researchers at the Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School suggest the majority of narcolepsy cases are related to a deficiency of the orexin/hypocretin neurotransmitter system. Adenosine is believed to play a direct role in this deficiency. Although there are no studies outlining the effectiveness of caffeine on narcolepsy, it is suggested that compounds that block adenosine receptors may be an effective treatment option.
Suggested Dosage
Upon publication, there is no official dosage of caffeine to treat narcolepsy. Researchers at the Harvard Medical School Division of Sleep Medicine found consuming 0.3 mg of caffeine per 2.2 lbs. of body weight significantly increased cognitive functions and wakefulness in subjects. Using this dosage, a 160-lb. man may consume a little more than 21 mg of caffeine per day, which is the equivalent of 2 oz. of coffee.
Safety Considerations
Talk with your doctor before starting a caffeine routine especially if you’re taking stimulate medications for narcolepsy. Do not consume caffeine, alcohol or other stimulates after late afternoon or early evening as it can disrupt your sleep pattern and potentially worsen narcolepsy symptoms.
References
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; Narcolepsy Fact Sheet; June 2011
- University of Washington: Caffeine
- “Annals of Medicine”; Adenosine in Sleep and Wakefulness; T. Porkka-Heiskanen; April 1999
- “Medical Hypotheses”; Adenosine Presynaptic Inhibition and Transmitter “Spillover”: A New Hypothesis of Etiopathogenesis of Narcolepsy; T.J. Marczynski; August 1989
- Division of Sleep Medicine Harvard Medical School; Laboratory or Neuroscience; Robert W. McCarley, et al.
- “Journal of Neurophysiology”; Adenosine Inhibits Activity of Hypocretin/Orexin Neurons Via A1 Receptor in the Lateral Hypothalamus: A Possible Sleep-Promoting Effect; Zhong-Wu Liu, et al.; January 2007
- ScienceDaily; Small, Frequent Doses of Caffeine Best Strategy For Staying Awake, According To New Study; May 2004
- Drugs.com: Narcolepsy
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