What is the chemical composition of caffeine?
Caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylxanthine) is a plant alkaloid with a chemical structure of C8H10N4O2 (see Figure 2–1) and a molecular weight of 194. In pure form, it is a bitter white powder. Caffeine is a naturally occurring central nervous system (CNS) stimulant belonging to the methylxanthine class and is widely recognized as the most utilized psychoactive stimulant worldwide.Regular use of more than 600 mg of caffeine a day might cause long-term effects such as sleep problems, thinning of bones and fractures, more anxiety, and stomach acidity. It can also increase blood pressure, and if you already have high blood pressure, it can get worse.Caffeine is a mild stimulant of the central nervous system and can be found in over 60 species of plants. It affects you in a similar way that amphetamines, cocaine and heroin stimulate your brain. Although it has a much milder effect, caffeine has the same addictive qualities as these other drugs.Caffeine, through antagonism of ARs, affects brain functions such as sleep, cognition, learning, and memory, and modifies brain dysfunctions and diseases: Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, epilepsy, pain/migraine, depression, and schizophrenia [25].Even in moderate amounts it can cause jitteriness and anxiety,” said Dr. Kilgore, noting that caffeine “can also increase respiratory rate, heart rate and blood pressure, which is most often fine in normal people, but if they have a health condition it should be under consideration.
How does caffeine affect the brain?
Caffeine binds to adenosine receptors, which in turn block the binding of adenosine to its receptor. The blockage of adenosine receptors indirectly affects the release of neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine, dopamine, acetylcholine, serotonin, glutamate, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Caffeine’s actions on adenosine receptors may help people feel less discomfort [14-18]. It directly affects pain signaling by inhibiting brain adenosine receptors and peripheral adenosine receptors on sensory afferents.
Is caffeine an acid or base?
Caffeine is a very weak base, reacting with acids to yield readily hydrolyzed salts, and relatively stable in dilute acids and alkali. Caffeine forms unstable salts with acids and is decomposed by strong solutions of caustic alkali. Caffeine is the world’s most widely consumed stimulant and has various effects and mechanisms of action. In vascular smooth muscle cells, caffeine acts predominantly as a competitive inhibitor of the enzyme phosphodiesterase, which is responsible for the breakdown of 3ʹ,5ʹ‐cAMP.Caffeine is the world’s most widely consumed psychoactive drug. Unlike most other psychoactive substances, caffeine remains largely unregulated and legal in nearly all parts of the world.Metabolism. Metabolism of caffeine takes place extensively in the liver by the microsomal cytochrome P450 enzyme system [26].Caffeine is naturally found in coffee, tea, cocoa beans, and some plants like guarana. It may be added to energy drinks, colas, and some sports or weight-loss supplements. Coffee has the highest caffeine content, with 90 mg per 200 ml cup of brewed coffee.
What organ is most affected by caffeine?
Caffeine acts as a central nervous system stimulant. When it reaches your brain, the most noticeable effect is alertness. You’ll feel more awake and less tired, so it’s a common ingredient in medications to treat or manage drowsiness, headaches, and migraine attacks. What happens to the heart when you consume caffeine? Drinking caffeine promotes the release of noradrenaline and norepinephrine which can increase heart rate and blood pressure in some individuals. For most people this is well tolerated, but for others it may lead to palpitations or extra beats from the heart.Caffeine consumption is generally considered safe, although habit forming. Some side effects linked to excess intake include anxiety, restlessness, tremors, irregular heartbeat, and trouble sleeping ( 53 ). Too much caffeine may also promote headaches, migraine, and high blood pressure in some individuals (54, 55 ).How does caffeine affect blood pressure? Caffeine may cause a brief rise in your blood pressure, even if you don’t have high blood pressure. This short-term spike in blood pressure happens mainly in people who don’t drink caffeine often, rather than in those who do.Caffeine consumption appears to increase your risk of losing bone density, which can lead to osteoporosis (brittle bone disease) and broken bones. This article looks at the research behind caffeine and osteoporosis, how much caffeine is too much, what it means for your osteoporosis risk, and how to mitigate it.