The most popular drug - Caffeine

The most popular drug … caffeine

FACT: Caffeine is one of the most widely consumed drugs in the world.

When you think of caffeine, a cup of coffee probably comes to mind. But caffeine is also found in tea, cocoa, soft drinks, various foods and in common over-the-counter medications. Why is caffeine so popular? It stimulates the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord), creating effects similar to many amphetamines, on a weaker scale. Now because of its effect on the central nervous system, caffeine works its magic in many ways:

- elevated mood
- decreased fatigue
- delayed onset of tiredness
- faster response (decreased reaction time)
- increased concentration
- increased mental alertness
- enhanced release of catecholamines (adrenaline, noradrenaline, dopamine, etc.)
- increased free fatty acid mobilization
- increased use of triglycerides in muscle

Caffeine also has its benefits in sport. Dr. David Costill, Dr. John Ivy, and colleagues found that caffeine increased endurance time in fixed-pace work bouts and decreased times in fixed-distance races in competitive cyclists. But how? Through many academic studies, caffeine has been documented to lower the perception of effort for a given rate of work, allowing the athlete to perform at a higher intensity with the same perceived effort! How great is that? Work harder, but think it’s easier!

Sounds great so far, right? Caffeine has some negative effects as well. If you aren’t used to caffeine, then there is a hypersensitivity to it. Also negative effects can occur in large dosages. These include nervousness, restlessness, insomnia, headache, GI problems, and even tremors. Some people even notice that caffeine can act as a diuretic, which, when combined with exercise, will increase risks of dehydration. Drinking caffeine to stay awake? This can have reverse effects as well, by disrupting sleep patterns and increasing fatigue. Take it from me, caffeine is also very addictive. When discontinuing the use of caffeine, headaches, fatigue, and irritability can occur.