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Mental illness and drug addiction
Caffeine addiction research study
Mental illness and drug addiction
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Caffeine is considered to be a psychostimulant along with other stimulants such as amphetamines, methamphetamines, ephedrine, nicotine, cocaine, and alcohol. Understanding the effects of caffeine can be difficult because it is most commonly associated with keeping humans aroused and awake. However, there are other effects of being exposed to caffeine that are not considered a benefit from the intake. I chose caffeine as the topic of discussion because I am not well educated on caffeine consumption and the effects of it. I find it interesting to learn more about it being that it is in the same category as illicit drugs. My reflection will discuss the implications of caffeine, why it is within the same category as illicit drugs, and the debate …show more content…
But if mild effects were to be mentioned solely for caffeine, they would consist of headaches, marked fatigue, drowsiness, dysphoric or depressed mood, irritability, flu-like symptoms, and difficulty concentrating (Ferré, 2016). Those symptoms are not deadly, but when mixed with other illicit drugs, it then has the ability to be harmful and addictive. Not knowing the effects of caffeine mixed with illicit drugs supports my implication that it is a part of the substance use disorder diagnosis which can also be known as substance addiction. The most common inference for caffeine intake is the arousal and awake feeling for the human being. Caffeine based on the psychomotor theory of addiction, induces much or even more pronounced psychomotor activity than other illicit drugs (Ferré, …show more content…
The article provided detailed information on why caffeine is categorized as a psychostimulant with illicit psychostimulants. When caffeine is administered to the human body, it promotes a change in dopamine levels regarding sensory neuron receptors. Caffeine acts as an indirect agonist to the receptor increasing dopamine transmission to the brain (Ferré, 2016). Other psychostimulants as stated above have the same enhancement and process, but in a different form of effect and can be critically harmful to human functioning. Mixing caffeine with illicit psychostimulants causes a tolerance and then can create a form of addiction to resist caffeine withdrawal. I begin to think that caffeine is an addiction based off the effects of mixing it which is why I considered it as a substance use disorder; caffeine use disorder. However, the DSM V does not consider it as caffeine use disorder. Instead, it is included in section III of disorders: conditions for further study (Ferré,
In the story “Java Man” by Malcolm Gladwell, he talks about how caffeine became what it is today. He starts off his essay by talking about caffeinated drinks. Then Gladwell goes into details talking about tea, soda, and coffee. Gladwell’ s main point in the essay was how caffeine affected our society. Gladwell breaks down the evolution of caffeine over the years. He also talks about coffee houses from the 18th century and how they gave birth to a new era of caffeine drinkers. In my opinion, Gladwell’s arguments and researches are very interesting. For someone to research the effects on the human body of caffeine and research what’s in coffee, tea and soda, and on how each vary from each other is very engaging, also he does a very good in supporting his arguments. Even though I do not drink coffee myself, I agree with him that caffeine can be considered a drug and that it greatly impacts our society today, but I also believe that caffeine can be considered a good thing and people shouldn’t
Caffeine, a central nervous system stimulant, is the main psychoactive ingredient in energy drinks, which enhances alertness and mood, and counteracts symptoms of sleep. There is no doubt ...
Caffeine is a mild stimulant that occurs naturally in at least 63 plant species. Caffeine can be found in the leaves, stems, seeds, and roots of these various plants. Caffeine is part of the methylxanthine family. It consists of a xanthine molecule with three methyl groups attached to it. Caffeine can be found in many products like sodas, tea, and coffee, but it also occurs in several other products such as prescription medications, diuretics, and pain relievers. Caffeine’s widespread use and popularity have caused many people to view the substance as an addictive drug. Thus making caffeine the most inexpensive and readily available drug known to man. Then on the other hand there are people who view caffeine as a helpful stimulant that increases the individual’s concentration and awareness as well as many other physical traits. The important thing to remember is that caffeine’s affects vary based on the person, the amount ingested, the frequency of consumption, and individual metabolism. (http://www.pp.okstate.edu/ehs/kopykit/caffeine.html)
A lot of people often wonder what caffeine is. When isolated in pure form, caffeine is a white crystalline powder that tastes very bitter. The chief source of pure caffeine is the process of decaffeinating coffee or tea. Caffeine is used to provide“boost energy” or a feeling of heightened alertness. It is often used to stay awake longer and late into the night. Many people feel as though they “cannot function” in the morning without a cup of coffee to provide caffeine and the boost it gives them. Caffeine is an addictive drug. It operates using the same mechanisms that amphetamines, cocaine, and heroin use to stimulate the brain. Caffeine effects are more mild than amphetamines, cocaine, and heroin, but it is manipulating the same channels, and that is one of the things that gives caffeine its addictive qualities. If you feel like you have to have caffeine everyday and cannot live without it, then you are considered addicted to caffeine.
By this definition, and after knowing the effects of caffeine upon the human body, I have come to the conclusion that drinking caffeine is a sign of a lack of respect for oneself, and of an unappreciative attitude toward the life that each of us has been blessed with. Furthermore, it shows of either our inability, or unwillingness to learn to think clearly.
Historically, the first behavior of caffeine in the brain to be noticed was the stimulation of the release of caffeine from intracellular storage sites. (Daly, 1999) In research done by Garrett and Griffiths (1997) caffeine was shown to mobilize intracellular calcium by reducing the calcium uptake and stimulating calcium release. Caffeine would attach to a calcium channel in this way activating it and releasing calcium from the "calcium-sensitive" pool.(Daly, 1999) Due to the importance of calcium concentrations for the release of neurotransmitters, Garrett determined, "…mobilization of intracellular calcium has been proposed as a possible mechanism underlying the behavioral effects of caffeine" (p.534).
Red Bull. 5 Hour Energy. Monster. These energy drinks are becoming increasingly popular not just for teenagers and college kids, but in the world of athletics as well. Athletes around the world are drinking these beverages for a boost in athletic performance and stamina to get an edge over their opponents. These drinks are even being promoted by professional athletes! This increasing popularity and consumption begs the question: are these drinks safe? I decided to dig into this question, and I have found some pretty startling answers. The drinks may bring enhanced performance and energy, but they also come with potential health risks. These health risks heavily outweigh the benefits the drinks could possibly bring.
As the vast majority of Americans are addicted to caffeine, studies show that the effects during post-consumption, can be positive or negative depending on the amount and frequency of caffeine intake. As the demand for caffeine has increased, the caffeine industry has increased its amount of marketing and establishments to help aid this demand. Caffeine addiction can lead to serious health and physiological detriments. It is evident that the primary reason for consumption of caffeinated beverages is due to positive effects, such as alertness. The media has an abundance of marketing to continue to illustrate this main effect.
Coffee is the first thing that people associate with instant energy on a groggy morning. “In the U.S., coffee is king of beverages” (Reinke) Research has been done that has named coffee as an addiction to the people who consume large quantities of it. Coffee was named the top source of antioxidants. This is partly because of the amount consumed each day. Some of the antioxidants that coffee has are quinines and chlorogenic acid. It also contains trigonelline, an antibacterial compound. This is where coffee acquires its delicious aroma. Now let’s step back for a minute and just think about how much caffeine people consume. In an 8oz cup of coffee it has about 85 milligrams of caffeine. This is about double the amount that tea contains. Studies have shown that caffeine stimulates the brain and nervous system. This is where you get that energized feeling. After about the third cup, knees start to bounce, pens are clicking and people start running laps around the office. Caffeine can become addicting if you drink too much. Coffee can become that addictive habit people are unable to shake.
Would you drink something that is associated with health problems and even death? Well energy drinks are highly caffeinated beverages that many people have become depended on to get through certain things that need done. They are used to give individuals a quick energy boost to get things done. Today many people question how safe energy drinks really are for the quick energy they supply. In fact, a sixteen year old girl died of cardiac arrest just after ingesting an energy drink, while on vacation with friends. Almost everyone who enjoys drinking energy drinks, knows that high levels of caffeine are in these beverages, and they continue to drink the ignoring the risks. But some people are fine with the high levels of caffeine and just drink them because it makes them feel energized. They seem to accept the shocking circumstances because it helps them gets things done when they need the most energy. On the other hand, some people disagree and think that it is not only bad for individuals
Preview: The potential effects are related to the main ingredient in coffee – caffeine. Caffeine is a drug that stimulates the central nervous system that increases alertness and energy, but it is also very addictive.
Americans are obsessed with a lot of things: our smart phones, celebrities, and finding a good bargain. But perhaps the thing we’re most obsessed with is good ol’ coffee. For many of us, our mornings are perfectly diabolical without at least a cup or two or three of the stuff. And, come 2 o’clock, when we know in our heart and bones we’ll never make it ‘til five and we need that pick me up, many of us head to the nearest deli or barista to grab a cup of “second wind.”
Millions of Americans begin each day by consuming the most widely used drug in the United States: Caffeine. Over 90% of United States adults consume caffeinated food or beverages on a daily basis and over 50% take more than the recommended amount. Our innocent daily ritual can turn into an addiction for some because many do not realize that caffeine is even a drug let alone the effects it can have on their bodies. Its use it becoming more and more prominent in our society. It’s not uncommon to walk outside and see a Starbucks or coffee shop on each corner. Innovative foods are coming out infused with coffee, and energy drinks are being pushed at every angle. Caffeine to many is a necessity to wake up in the morning and for others to stay up all night. This is dangerous because people are not only becoming more and more dependent on coffee drinks and energy drinks but they are beginning to ingest more of it each day and are now mixing it with other drugs that can be life threatening. Proper knowledge is important when taking any drug including one that the FDA considers to be a safe multi-purpose food substance and education is the key.
Do you know what the most commonly used drug around the world is? It’s not cocaine nor marijuana, but surprisingly caffeine.
When the brain has now been chemically wired to handle large amounts of caffeine daily and then suddenly the caffeine is taken away, negative effects occur. Usually the more caffeine a person consumes, the more difficult and painful it can be to quit. Since the brain automatically creates new adenosine receptors to maintain the equilibrium in the brain, individuals will develop a tolerance to the caffeine and require more and more