Caffeine

Alexis CondonHE 285 Drugs and SocietyWorcester State University

“"People are hesitant to think of [caffeine] as a drug of addiction because it doesn't have a lot of the health and adverse social consequences associated with our classic drugs of addiction, yet the basic mechanisms by which it

hooks people are very much like our classic drugs of addiction.“”

- Roland Griffiths, professor in the departments of psychiatry and neuroscience at the Johns Hopkins School

of Medicine

Caffeine is considered to be a stimulant.

A stimulant is known to speed up the central nervous system; brain or muscular activity.

Caffeine is usually found in coffee, tea, cocoa, soft drinks, energy drinks, some medication

Other examples of stimulants include: Amphetamine Cocaine

Stimulants

Caffeine Dosage

Small/Ordinary dosage: Greater alertness Decreases feelings

of fatigue Keep interest in

certain activities

Higher dosage: Counterproductive Nervousness Anxiety Headaches Disturbed sleep

Symptoms typically appear within 12 to 24

hours depending on sensitivity Headache; lethargy and drowsiness; depressed

mood; anxiety; nausea; vomiting; muscle pain and stiffness; and inability to concentrate

May affect one’s ability to function properly/normally at peak

Not necessarily health or social repercussions, unlike with other drugs

Withdrawal for Addiction

Recent consumption of caffeine usually in the

excess of 250 mg and at least 5 of the following signs: Restlessness; nervousness; excitement;

insomnia; flushed face; diuresis; gastrointestinal disturbance; muscle twitching; rambling flow of thought and speech; tachycardia or cardiac arrhythmia; and periods of inexhaustibility and/or psychomotor agitation

Cannot be due to any physical or mental disorder

DSM Diagnosis –Caffeine Intoxication

FDA has begun to look deeper into the amount

of caffeine placed in different products with popularity growing

Possibility of more detailed labeling requirements for caffeinated products

Some restrictions currently exist 72 mg of caffeine for every 12 fl oz in energy

drinks

Food and Drug Administration

Remains unknown American Academy of Pediatrics – discouraged

caffeine consumption for children Concerns: effects on neurological and

cardiovascular health during developmental stages, as well as, dependence and addiction

Possibility that children develop dependence and addiction more easily, harder to avoid without restrictions

Effects on Children and Young Adults

No -- however, the following can occur,

Dependence, tolerance can develop, withdrawal symptoms of irritability, headaches, mild depression, blockage of adenosine receptors

Often considered a mild stimulant Rarely medically harmful with no social disruption Not necessarily a strong compulsion or obsession

but rather regularity and dedication to an everyday routine

There is typically an ability to control one’s consumption

Overall Harmful?

Should there be limitations on caffeine consumption and the levels of caffeine in products or should it remain the responsibility of individuals to pay attention to their own consumption of caffeine?

Discussion Question

While I do understand that caffeine is often associated as a

drug, I do think there are major, obvious differences between it and other drugs. Before participating in this activity, I had never really thought much about my caffeine consumption, but it is an important aspect of one’s life that should receive

attention. It is not necessarily something to ignore or overlook. Although it is not technically harmful, I do agree with more regulation of caffeine in certain products only

because of the profitability and advantage that companies are taking of the American population. I also think that it is

important to pay more attention to the caffeine consumption of children too, with how popular caffeine has become within

our society because of hectic and busy daily schedules.

My Opinion

Brady, D. (2013, June 2). Caffeine Addiction A Buzzing Business. Winnipeg

Free Press. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1357338179?accountid=29 121Haupt, A. (2009, June 25). Signs of Caffeine Addiction. Retrieved from http://health.usnews.com/health-news/articles/2012/04/17/signs-of-caffeine-addictionNational Institute on Drug Abuse (2012). Background. In Grades 2-3. Retrieved from http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/brain-power/grades-2- 3/medicines-drugs-whats-helpful-whats-harmful-module-4/backgroundPohler, H. (2010). Caffeine Intoxication And Addiction. The Journal for Nurse

Practitioners,6(1), 49-52. (2010, January 1).Satel, S. (n.d.). Is Caffeine Addictive?—A Review Of The Literature. The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 493-502.

References