Is Caffeine A Drug?

Miranda Mason

For many Americans, waking up in the morning requires a cup coffee to kick-start their day. This is due to caffeine, which many Americans believe to be a reliable source of energy and alertness. The question is, is caffeine a drug? It most certainly is, it is not a naturally occurring substance in the human body, and has undeniable effects on it. Caffeine is defined as a drug because it changes how your body works. It has a stimulating effect on the brain and nervous system, the heart and circulatory system, and the stomach and intestines (“Caffeine”, Debenedette, July 1996, 6). It is the most commonly taken drug in the United States, and can be found in coffee, tea, chocolate, soft drinks, and energy drinks. Consuming too much

Some praise caffeine as “a drug that may have saved thousands of lives”. People such as militarily personnel, emergency workers, truck drivers, or anyone who has to keep focus without rest for a long time, could benefit from caffeine. As stated earlier, caffeine alters the way your body works. It disrupts the action of a neurotransmitter called Adenosine (chemical that helps transmit signals from one nerve to another). When caffeine is consumed it binds with some of the chemicals receptors that are suppose to bind with adenosine. Adenosine slows down cell activity, caffeine speeds it up; causing one to experience a euphoric feeling, surge of energy, and increase in

“A variety of studies conducted over several decades have shown that caffeine helps people to stay awake (sometimes longer than they want to), enhances performance on mental tasks, improves hand-eye coordination, speeds up reaction time, and boost energy for muscular work, including sports and exercise (“The Facts about Caffeine”, Klosterman, 2006, 59). Despite the fact that caffeine seems to be a necessity for the majority of the American population, it also has various side effects that can be hazardous to our health. My personal belief, is that people shouldn't have to be reliant on caffeine as a daily source of energy. I personally don’t like the effects that it has on my body when I consume it. Experiencing the jittery feeling that’s followed by an unpleasant coating on my teeth, is enough for me to assume that there are many other factors to consider before becoming reliant on this drug. Rather than using caffeine as a source of energy and an aid to uplift one’s mood, I opt for better sleeping hours, exercise, and eating a high-energy foods diet. Incorporating these simple factors can mean the difference between caffeine consumption and it’s unwanted side effects and waking up well rested, with high energy and an