Coffee - a brewed drink prepared from roasted seeds of
the coffee plant.
The third most popular drink in the world, behind
water and tea.
Coffee is addictive because of a chemical Caffeine
present in it. A bitter, white crystalline xanthine alkaloid that is a psychoactive stimulant drug.
Found in varying quantities in the beans, leaves,
and fruit of some plants, where it acts as a natural pesticide that paralyzes and kills certain insects feeding on the plants.
In humans, caffeine acts as a central nervous system
stimulant, temporarily warding off drowsiness and restoring alertness. Some commonly observed effects of caffeine are:
Stimulates heart, respiratory system, and central nervous system
causing messages to be passed along your nervous system more quickly.
Stimulates blood circulation and raises blood pressure.
Stimulates the cortex of your brain heightening the intensity
of mental activity. Overuse :
Large amounts, and over extended periods of time can
lead to a condition known as caffeinism.
Caffeinism usually combines caffeine dependency with a
wide range of unpleasant physical and mental conditions including nervousness, irritability, anxiety, insomnia, headaches etc. Caffeine increases the production of stomach acid, high usage over time can lead to peptic ulcers, erosive esophagitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Caffeine increases the toxicity of certain other drugs, such as
paracetamol. Caffeine intoxication:
An acute overdose of caffeine usually in excess of about 300 mgs,
can result in a state of central nervous system over-stimulation called caffeine intoxication.
Symptoms include restlessness, fidgetiness, nervousness, insomnia,
gastrointestinal disturbance, muscle twitching, irritability, irregular or rapid heart beat, and psychomotor agitation. Caffeine withdrawal a case study
A study was conducted on 4 people who were asked to
drink 2 cups of coffee a day, i.e., one in morning and one in evening, for a month.
They were then asked to stop drinking coffee.
Some withdrawal symptoms were observed.
The following symptoms were observed in common after 12-18 hours of withdrawal.
- Restlessness
- Muscle Stiffness
- Difficulty in concentration
- Moderate to severe Headache
- Chills &/or hot spells
- Irritation
- Lack of Sleep What do experts suggest?
To avoid uncomfortable withdrawal effects it is wise to ease off
caffeine over a period of 7-14 days to reduce the discomfort.
Reduce and then stop the richest sources (especially coffee)
first. It is unwise, particularly if someone is a heavy user, to suddenly stop caffeine altogether When caffeine intake is stopped we allow the body to catch up on its lost rest. This takes some time. Using caffeine to force yourself into activity is like flogging an exhausted horse.
For the first few weeks after stopping caffeine it is observed that people sleep deeper and for longer.
If feeling drowsy during the day use breathing exercises preferably
out of doors, to alert yourself. Conclusion:
Though the effect of coffee or caffeine on our body is
debated many agree for it being positive while many agree for it being negative. The most accurate statement at such a debate will be using it in a controlled way can be useful rather harmful.
The Power Of Caffeine And Coffee For Enhanced Focus - Based On The Teachings Of Dr. Andrew Huberman: Harnessing Caffeine And Coffee For Enhanced Concentration