caffeine Flashcards
stimulant biological definition
substance that raises levels of physiological or nervous activity in the body
suppresses inhibition
sympathomimetic
mimics activity of the sympathetic nervous system
fight/flight arosaul
parasympathetic suppression
stimulant behavioural definition
chemicals that induce temporary improvements in mental/physical function
fine line between happy and panic
stimulant ambiguitiy in attribution
reinterpret ambiguous cues based on environmental cues
allows for different interpretation
james lange theory: fine line between happy and panic depends on how you interpret
2 stimulant characteristics
state dependant memory
- more efficient under similar conditions of encoding
speed/accuracy tradeoff
- go too quickly you mess up for new behaviours
methyl-xanthines
naturally found in plants and human body
organic soluble
caffeine metabolites
caffeine–> theophylline/bromine–> paraxanthine
active metabolites
xanthine structural similarity
serotonin, histamine, dopamine
neuromodulator
chemical used by a neuron to communicate to other neutrons about their function but not activate
- regulate gene expression and set points (TF)
adenosine characteristics
inhibit sleep/arosual - glutamate antagonist in striatum
dopamine antagonist
caffeine as an antagonist
adenosine antagonist (A1)
A1 receptors - retrograde messenger- dampen communication
depression of NMDA receptor (memory)
caffeine does opposite
caffeine facilitation of memory and synaptic plasticity
facilitates memory and plasticity to a point
hyper activation results in inability to focus
A1 and A2 receptors responsible for
oxygen in blood flow reducing heart rate opening BBB inhibit melanoma cells anti-inflammation
caffeine behavioural effects
elevates mood - dopamine not serotonin
performance enhancement
decreasing fatigue - don’t get more tired
caffeine absorption and elimination
first order reaction- variable
dose dependant
time to peak decreases if sugar added
caffeine experience
more experience results in longer high times
except for cigarette smokers
caffeine tolerance and withdrawal
tolerance for physiological but not psychological
differ due to different absorption rates, dosages and individual differences
energy drinks
combine xanthine and potentiators - instantly bioavail.
dont advertise caffeine unless added
dining root is potentiator
taurine effects
GABA inhibitor - excitatory in children
anxiolytic effects
boycotts learning mechanism
neuroprotectant
inhibit glutamate induced excitotoxicity
what are the effects of caffeine mixed with taurine
synergistic- potentiates caffeine
high heart rate but individuals feel fine
potential increase in mood
