Caffeine Flashcards
most commonly consumed psychoactive drug in the world
Caffeine
Caffeine
in the U.S.- consumed by 80% of the population
caffeine is found in
coffee, tea, cola, and chocolate, in prescriptions and OTC medications
caffeine safety?
is safe and can be added to anything
xanthines
3 types of related alkaloids from plants
1) theophylline
2) caffeine
3) theobromine
Absorption of Caffeine
oral caffeine is rapidly and completely absorbed
- peak blood levels within 30-45 mins absorption over 15-20 mins
- freely and equally distributed throughout the body (including brain)
- crosses placenta to fetus
Effects of Caffeine
~relax smooth muscles
—dilation of the lungs
~strengthens striated muscles
~constriction of blood vessels in the brain, dilation of blood vessels in the body
Mechanism of action (CNS)
caffeine exerts variety of effects at different doses
- epinephrine release, enhance functioning of dopamine
- Adenosine
Adenosine
neuromodulator of several NT systems
- majority of adenosine effects are sedating, depressing, and anticonvulsant
- caffeine blocks this inhibitory effect
psychostimulant effects of caffeine
-alertness, wakefulness, etc
heavy consumption (12 or more cups/day or 1.5g caffeine)
-agitation, anxiety, tremors, rapid breathing, insomnia
LD50 caffeine
10g 75-100cups of coffee
Caffeine and cognitive performance
ingestion of 1-3 cups of coffee increased capacity for sustained attention and decreased reaction time
- most effective in chronic users
- most effective if subjects are fatigued
tolerance and dependence of caffeine
- develops slowly
- caffeine use disorder is an experimental disorder in the DSM V
Primary withdrawal of caffeine
headache
- usually starts within 12-24 hours after cessation of coffee
- increased fatigue
- strongest during first 2 days, last for 5-6 hours
Caffeinism
clinical syndrome caused by overuse of caffeine
- anxiety, low grade fever, irritability
- increased heart rate & blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmias, stomach disturbances
- usually dose related (5-10 cups of coffee)
- usually resolved by stopping caffeine intake
Caffeine and pregnancy
no evidence of relationship between caffeine and birth effects
- it can reduce ability to become pregnant
- increased the chances of miscarriage
- results in lower birth weights
other adverse effects of caffeine
heart disease
-increased heart rate & blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and & risk of heart attack
anxiety disorders
-panic attacks (mimicks only)
increased risk for osteoporosis
Which product contains the most caffeine (assuming that the serving size is equivalent)?
coffee
If you were to taste a plant that contains alkaloids, what would it taste like?
bitter
Which of the following is correct in terms of greatest to least amount of central nervous system stimulation?
caffeine, theophylline, theobromine
Which country has the highest per capita caffeine consumption?
The Netherlands
Caffeine is often considered to be a very safe psychoactive drug. One reason for this assessment is that caffeine is typically administered using the oral route of administration. How does oral administration contribute to drug safety?
When a drug is swallowed, it must travel through the digestive system before it can be absorbed into the blood- stream to reach the final site of action, the brain. The gastrointestinal path includes the stomach and small intestine from where caffeine is absorbed into the bloodstream, is very slow.
Your friend Janice weighs 100 pounds. She reports that on a typical day, she usually drinks a 12 oz. serving of black tea in the morning and a 16 oz. can of Monster energy drink in the afternoon. What is her caffeine dose?
When a drug is swallowed, it must travel through the digestive system before it can be absorbed into the blood- stream to reach the final site of action, the brain. The gastrointestinal path includes the stomach and small intestine from where caffeine is absorbed into the bloodstream, is very slow.
