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Research Paper
HLTH 1050-003
By Alyssa Carn
11 April 2017
Caffeine
In the book, Drugs, Behavior, and Modern Society, caffeine is defined as a xanthine

stimulant found in coffee, tea, chocolate, soft drinks, and several medications (Levinthal,

p.276). Xanthines is a family group of central nervous system stimulants. According to the

American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, caffeine is the most commonly used

psychostimulant in the world. This stimulation is caused by the blocking of the adenosine

inhibitor receptors. This blockage enhances, or amplifies, the dopamine neurotransmission,

which in return causes some of the side effects.

With the increase of the dopamine neurotransmission, the person starts to feel more

awake and alert (NIDA Blog Team). Another side effect is a result of the adenosine

neurotransmitter being blocked. The blockage causes wakefulness, constriction of blood vessels,

and dilation of the bronchial passageways. Other negative side effects include increased blood

pressure and cholesterol, anxiety, sleeping deprivation, jitteriness, dependency, and withdrawal.

Positive side effects include increased well-being, happiness, energy, alertness, and sociability

(Center for Science in the Public Interest). There are quite a few side effects to caffeine, but it

depends on how much and how often a person consumes caffeine.

It is hard to determine how much caffeine is okay for the user to consume because

everyone has a different tolerance level. Someone could be more sensitive to the effects of

caffeine than the other person. From the Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit, it is noted that

studies show that 30 milligrams or less of caffeine can alter self-reports of mood and affect

behavior and 100mg per day can lead to physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms upon

abstinence. Roughly about 280 milligrams is the average intake of American adults. According

to the Mayo Clinic, up to 400 milligrams of caffeine a day appears to be safe for most healthy
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adults. It is believed that children and adolescence should stay away from caffeine because it

could cause poor bone growth, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. Those health concerns for children

and adolescence are potential health risks for adults.

Caffeine causes a few health risks for everyone who consumes it. Adults, who consume

large amounts of caffeine, are subjected to getting osteoporosis and bone fractures. Caffeine

increases calcium excretion and malabsorption, which makes it hard for bone maintenance and

bone growth. Also, caffeine can cause anxiety disorder, sleep disorders and there is always a

potential risk for cardiovascular disease. The heart works harder when caffeine is being

consumed because of its constricting capabilities of the blood vessels. Another health risk is the

effects of caffeinism on the body.

Caffeinism is described as a dangerous state of behavioral and physiological

overstimulation from a very large dose of caffeine (Levinthal, p. 287). A person achieves

caffeinism by consuming about 1,000 milligrams in a very brief period, which is about 10 cups

of coffee. The person that is experiencing caffeinism has specific side effects, which include:

diarrhea, arrhythmias, extreme nervousness, agitation, heart palpitations, nausea, twitching or

muscle hyperactivity, and insomnia. Large doses of caffeine can be very problematic and have

the potential of causing death. The adult lethal dose is approximately 5 to 10 grams (5,000 to

10,000 mg), which is equivalent to somewhere between fifty and one hundred cups of

caffeinated coffee (Levinthal, p. 288). It seems like a very rare occurrence, but it is helpful to

know the health concerns and risks about caffeine. There may be a lot of health concerns about

caffeine, but there are a few benefits of caffeine as well.

The benefits of caffeine do include wakefulness and increased of well-being, but there are

more benefits because of the blocked adenosine inhibitory neurotransmission effects of caffeine.

The side effect of the constricting of the blood vessels help with headaches. Headaches are

caused by dilated blood vessels in the head so when the caffeine constricts those blood vessels
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the headache disperses. Another health benefit from the side effects of the blocked adenosine

neurotransmitter is the relief of asthma symptoms. The caffeine dilates the bronchial

passageways, which helps the person breath better. In the book, a connection was found

between caffeine consumption and a lower risk of developing Parkinsons disease (Levinthal, p.

284). There are health benefits to certain people, but there doesnt seem to be a lot of benefits for

everyone to have caffeine, in general. Is it beneficial to a persons health or are they just

dependent on their caffeine to get through the day?

People can say they are addicted to their caffeine, but, actually, many people are

dependent on it to get them through the day. While caffeine produces a small rise in dopamine,

it does not cause the large surge that unbalances the reward circuits in the brain and is necessary

for an addiction (NIDA for Teens). NIDA goes on to say that addiction is the uncontrolled use

of a substance. People can live without taking their caffeine, but an addict has little to no control

over taking a certain drug. They need it to get through the day. You might want your caffeine that

day because you always have it every day, but, in the end, you dont absolutely have to have it to

get through the day. Dependency doesnt compare to an addiction. So how many people are

dependent to their caffeine?

The use of caffeine seems to be growing each day. The number of adults and children that

consume caffeine in America is about 80 to 90 percent (Behavioral Pharmacology Research

Unit). The average amount a person consumes is 280 milligrams a day. In a study that was set up

by the University of Kentucky, they showed that 78% of college freshmen consume above the

recommended amount of caffeine per day (Huffington Post). People are drinking more and

more caffeine in America because our drink sizes are getting larger. Our caffeine is becoming

more convenient with our coffee shops and gas stations. Is caffeine something that should be

avoided from our diet?

Just like with most substances, moderation is the key when it comes to drinking caffeine.
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Too much of any substance can be harmful, even water. You dont need to quit entirely, but be

smart on how much caffeine you consume. Coffee, tea, energy drinks, chocolate, and so on

shouldnt be anyones go to, but a little wouldnt hurt. People should pick a variety of drinks and

foods that dont always contain caffeine. A lot of times people go to their caffeine first, instead of

healthier options because it makes them feel better, which is, in part, because of the increased

dopamine neurotransmission. There caffeine makes them feel happier. It makes them feel more

awake and prepared to get through the day. Everyone has their different opinions and views

about caffeine, which is fine, but sometimes I like to give my view.

In my opinion, caffeine isnt the best substance to put in your body. There are so many

other healthy options that some people forget. Of course, I absolutely love chocolate, but I know

that I shouldnt eat it. I need to work on not eating too much chocolate because like I stated

earlier it can be harmful to your health. I dont believe anyone should go cold turkey with their

caffeine, mostly because of the withdrawal symptoms, but eventually caffeine shouldnt be part

of our diet. When I was growing up, I drank a lot more soda, but ever since I was in 8th grade I

decided to stop drinking soda entirely. The reason why I stopped drinking soda was mostly

because of soccer. I was on competitive leagues and I also played at my high school. The

carbonation and caffeine caused me to not be able to run very long. I would get side aches and I

seemed to get out of breath quickly. Ever since I stopped drinking soda, I can run a whole lot

better and be able to run without side aches. Another reason why stopped drinking soda was

because my dad has always pushed me to become a more healthy and athletic push. Im not

saying I am the best at being healthy, but I sure have been trying. Im very glad that I stopped

drinking soda. It makes me feel good that I made one smart choice about my caffeine intake

because I know now what it can do to your health.

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From doing this research paper, I have found that caffeine isnt the best for anyone. It

might have a few health benefits to some people, but, overall, it has too many health risks and

side effects that arent good. People shouldnt consume caffeine and if they do it should be in

moderation. Children and adolescence should stay away from caffeine because of caffeines

capability to stunt their bone growth. Caffeine can be harmful to a persons health. In my opinion

caffeine should be eliminated from everyones diet. It doesnt have any nutritional value. People

need to really think about their overall health when they consume caffeine.

Work Cited
Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit. "Caffeine Dependence." John Hopkins Medicine: 1-7.

Web. 13 Feb. 2017

<https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/psychiatry/research/bpru/docs/caffeine_dependence_f

act_sheet.pdf>.
"Beware of These Effects of Caffeine on the Body." Beware of These Effects of Caffeine on the Body |

Center for Science in the Public Interest., 24 Aug. 2015. Web. 13 Feb. 2017.

<https://cspinet.org/tip/beware-these-effects-caffeine-body>.
Friedmann, Lucy. "Why Caffeine Is a College Student's Worst Enemy." The Huffington Post.

TheHuffingtonPost.com., 25 Mar. 2016. Web. 13 Feb. 2017.

<http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lucy-friedmann/caffeine-sleep- college_b_9409778.html>.
Levinthal, Charles F. Drugs, Behavior, and Modern Society
Mayo Clinic Staff. "Caffeine: How much is too much?" Mayo Clinic., 14 Apr. 2014. Web.
13 Feb. 2017. <http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-

eating/in-depth/caffeine/art-20045678>
The NIDA Blog Team. "Is Caffeine Really Addictive?" NIDA for Teens., 10 May 2016. Web. 13 Feb.

2017. <https://teens.drugabuse.gov/blog/post/caffeine-really-addictive>.