Chapter 11: Caffeine Lecture Notes

Vocabulary flashcards covering the biological effects, consumption statistics, and pharmacological mechanisms of caffeine based on Chapter 11 notes.

Caffeine

A psychoactive stimulant drug that constitutes the most popular drug-taking behavior in the world.

Xanthines

A category of stimulant compounds that includes caffeine, theophylline, and theobromine.

Natural sources of caffeine

The three primary sources are coffee beans, tea leaves, and cacao pods.

Milk chocolate caffeine content

Contains approximately $6\,mg$ of caffeine per $1\,oz$.

Tea caffeine content

Contains approximately $60\,mg$ of caffeine per $5\,oz$ cup.

Coffee caffeine content

Contains approximately $100\,mg$ of caffeine per $5\,oz$ cup.

Body effects of caffeine

Includes increased attention and alertness, decreased fatigue, potential anxiety, addiction, increased heart rate, and increased vasoconstriction.

Caffeine elimination factors

Influenced by pregnancy, use of oral contraceptives, smoking habits, age (specifically infants and the elderly), and individual metabolism rates.

Adenosine

An inhibitory neurotransmitter whose effects are blocked by caffeine to prevent sleepiness.

Double-negative effect

The mechanism where caffeine antagonizes adenosine receptors, leading to increased arousal instead of the sleepiness normally induced by adenosine.

Human performance effects

Caffeine increases vigilance and attentiveness during boring tasks and decreases response time to simple stimuli, though it has limited impact on complex decision-making.

Caffeinism

Toxic effects resulting from excessive caffeine consumption, typically starting at levels around $10$ cups of coffee per day.

Caffeine tolerance

The phenomenon where initial drug effects diminish with regular use; it is difficult to research because most subjects have a baseline tolerance.

Caffeine withdrawal symptoms

Physical and mental effects including headaches, impaired concentration, irritability, and drowsiness.

U.S. caffeine consumption statistics

Over $85\%$ of the adult population consumes caffeine, with an average daily dose of approximately $280\,mg$ (about $3$ cups of coffee).

Vasoactive properties

The ability of caffeine to narrow blood vessels in the brain, used to treat migraines and caffeine-withdrawal headaches.

Positive health impacts

Includes a lower risk of Parkinson’s disease, reduced risk of certain cancers, and improved liver health including lowered risk of cirrhosis.

Negative health impacts

Includes increased risk of cardiovascular problems, osteoporosis, panic attacks, and sleep disruptions.