Detrimental Effects of Detrimental Effects of CaffeineCaffeine

Or, why Drew stopped drinking Dr. PepperOr, why Drew stopped drinking Dr. Pepper

E. Drew McKechnie & Carei ThomasE. Drew McKechnie & Carei Thomas

Name:Name: Caffeine Caffeine

Chemical Name:Chemical Name: 3,7-Dihydro-1,3,7-trimethyl-1H-purine- 3,7-Dihydro-1,3,7-trimethyl-1H-purine-2,6-dione2,6-dione

Alternate Names:Alternate Names: 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine; 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine;

1,3,7-trimethyl-2,6-diosopurine;1,3,7-trimethyl-2,6-diosopurine;

coffeine; thein; guaranine; coffeine; thein; guaranine; methyltheobrominemethyltheobromine

Formula:Formula: CC88HH1010NN44OO22

Molecular Weight: Molecular Weight: 194.19194.19

Caffeine ChemistryCaffeine Chemistry

Caffeine is an alkaloid; of which there are numerous compounds such as the methylxanthines, with three distinguished compounds: caffeine, theophylline, and theobromine, found in guarana, kola nuts, coffee, tea, cocoa beans, mate and other plants.

Caffeine ChemistryCaffeine Chemistry

Caffeine ChemistryCaffeine Chemistry

Caffeine is a naturally occurring, flavorless chemical that acts as a stimulant to the central nervous system, cardiac muscle, respiratory system, and also acts as a diuretic. Caffeine can also be synthetically produced.

Caffeine is commonly added in small amounts to colas to enhance their flavor. It is also added to appetite suppressants, cold medicines and pain relievers.

Caffeine IS AddictiveCaffeine IS Addictive

Regular caffeine consumption reduces sensitivity to the stimulant. When caffeine intake is reduced, the body becomes oversensitive to adenosine.

In response to this oversensitiveness, blood pressure drops dramatically, causing an excess of blood in the head (not necessarily on the brain), leading to a headache.

Caffeine as a CNS Caffeine as a CNS StimulantStimulant

Today, most researchers believe that the stimulatory actions are attributable to the antagonism of the adenosine.

Agonists at the adenosine receptors produce sedation while antagonists at these sites, like caffeine and theophylline induce stimulation, the latter substance also reverses agonist-induced sedation, therefore indicating that the effects go through these receptors.

Effects of a Caffeine Effects of a Caffeine OverdoseOverdose

From Desk Reference to the Diagnostic Criteria from DSM-3-R (American Psychiatric Association, 1987):From Desk Reference to the Diagnostic Criteria from DSM-3-R (American Psychiatric Association, 1987):

Caffeine-Induced Organic Mental Disorder 305.90 Caffeine Intoxication

Recent consumption of caffeine, usually in excess of 250 mg.

At least 5 of the following signs:

- restlessness - gastrointestinal disturbance

- nervousness - muscle twitching

- excitement - rambling flow of thought & speech

- insomnia - tachycardia or cardiac arrhythmia

- flushed face - periods of inexhaustibility

- diuresis - psychomotor agitation

Drinks Containing CaffeineDrinks Containing Caffeine

National Soft Drink Association: Content in milligrams / 12 oz. can

Afri-Cola 100.0 Shasta Cola 44.4

Jolt 71.2 Mr. Pibb40.8

Mountian Dew 55.0 Dr. Pepper 39.6

Mellow Yellow 52.8 Pepsi Cola 37.2

Surge 51.0 RC Cola 36.0

Tab 46.8 Diet Pepsi 35.4

Coca-Cola 45.6 Canada Dry 30.0

Diet Coke 45.6 7 – UP 0

Caffeine WithdrawalCaffeine Withdrawal

This headache, well known among coffee drinkers (and college students dependent on Dr. Pepper), usually lasts from 1 TO 5 DAYS, and can be alleviated with analgesics such as aspirin. Slowly reducing consumption of caffeine is more effective than quitting ‘cold turkey’, as the withdrawal symptoms are far less severe.

Caffeine WithdrawalCaffeine Withdrawal

Often, people who are reducing coffee intake report being irritable, unable to work, nervous, restless, and feeling sleepy, as well as having a headache. In extreme cases, nausea and vomiting has also been reported.

Caffeine and Health. J.E. James, Academic Press, 1991. Progress in Clinical and Biological Research, Volume 158.

G.A. Spiller, Ed. Alan R. Liss Inc., 1984.

Caffeine & Pregnant Caffeine & Pregnant WomenWomenCaffeine has long been suspect of causing mal-formations in fetus, and that it may reduce fertility rates, although some controversy exists in related reports.

Caffeine DOES cause malformations in rats, when ingested at rates comparable to 70 cups of coffee/day for humans.

However, 70 cups of coffee/day seems a bit ridiculous.

Caffeine & Pregnant Caffeine & Pregnant WomenWomenA recent study found a weak correlation between Sudden-Infant-Death-Syndrome (SIDS) and caffeine consumption by the mother, which reinforces the recommendation for moderation – possibly even abstinence – during pregnancy.

For men, it has been shown that caffeine reduces rates of sperm motility which may account for some findings of reduced fertility.

Caffeine & OsteoporosisCaffeine & Osteoporosis

VS.VS.

Caffeine & OsteoporosisCaffeine & Osteoporosis

“There was a significant association between (drinking more) caffeinated coffee and decreasing bone mineral density at both the hip and the spine, independent of age, obesity, years since menopause, and the use of tobacco, estrogen, alcohol, thiazides, and calcium supplements [in women].”

~ HOWEVER ~

“Bone density did not vary in women who reported drinking at least one glass of milk per day during most of their adult lives.”

From the Journal of AMA: (JAMA, 26 Jan. 1994, p. 280-3.)From the Journal of AMA: (JAMA, 26 Jan. 1994, p. 280-3.)

Caffeine & Health Caffeine & Health ProblemsProblemsHeartburn: relaxing muscles in the esophagus to allow the contents of one’s stomach to ‘back up’

Ulcers: increase secretion of both acid and pepsin in the stomach which could exacerbate an existing ulcer

♡ Problems: been shown to cause cardiac arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats) in certain individuals

♡ Disease: heavy coffee drinkers (5+ cups/day) are two to three times more likely to have coronary heart disease than were non-drinkers

Caffeine & MetabolismCaffeine & Metabolism

Caffeine increases the level of circulating fatty acids. This has been shown to increase the oxidation of these fuels, therefore enhancing fat oxidation.

The use of caffeine as a fat oxidizer has made it a component of many “fat burning” pills, the most common being ECA stacks (Ephedrine - Caffeine - Aspirin).

Safe Uses of CaffeineSafe Uses of Caffeine

Caffeine in combination with an analgesic, such as aspirin, is widely used in the treatment of ordinary types of headache. There are few data, however, to substantiate its efficacy for this purpose. Caffeine is also used in combination with an ergot alkaloid in the treatment of migraines.

From Goodman and Gilman’s From Goodman and Gilman’s The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics:The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics:

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Reducing Caffeine IntakeReducing Caffeine Intake

#1 - Removing Taste as an Alluring Quality

Move from your current caffeinated beverage to one that tastes worse (ie. soft drinks with less sugar or Starbucks -> Sanka).

(A) Dr. Pepper -> (B) Diet Coke [ Sugar: A > B ]

~ Drew McKechnie’s Personal Plan (A Work in ~ Drew McKechnie’s Personal Plan (A Work in Progress) ~Progress) ~

Reducing Caffeine IntakeReducing Caffeine Intake

#2 – Reducing Availability of Caffeinated Beverages

Discontinue having caffeinated beverages easily accessible to you. It is a good idea to get them out of your fridge and as a more drastic measure, carry less singles around in your wallet – making it more difficult at soda machines.

You’re not dropping it ‘cold turkey’ by doing this because there is a good chance you don’t have the will power to keep from getting a caffeinated drink at your favorite dining hall.

Reducing Caffeine IntakeReducing Caffeine Intake

#3 – Realization of Disutility

After about a week or two of reduced consumption of your new caffeinated beverage, you’ll realize that what you’re drinking doesn’t really taste that good.

Your discovery that by continuing to drink this you’re not gaining anything beneficial to you (even taste), is the moment you realize the light at the end of the tunnel is getting pretty bright.

Reducing Caffeine IntakeReducing Caffeine Intake

#4 – True Taste Test

As a final test, when your draught from consuming your favorite beverage (the one that caused you all the problems) has lasted 4-6 weeks, experiment to see if it is still your favorite drink.

You may be surprised to find out that it no longer even tastes the same!=

CreditsCredits

FAQ About Caffeine - caffeine@aomt.netmegs.com[© 2001 Erowid.org]

CNN Food Central Quick Facts – www.cnn.com[© 2000 Cable News Network]

Debunking Myths: Fast Facts - National Headache Foundation

Personal Case Study in Dr. Pepper Consumption – E. Drew McKechnie