October 22

Question 1

Caffeine - general knowledge

Answer 1

• Belongs to the chemical class xanthines
  
  • Most popular psychoactive drug

Question 2

Sources of caffeine

Answer 2

• Most consumed in food and drink
  
  • Some OTC products
  • Medications

Question 3

Rapid absorption occurs…

Answer 3

Within the GI tract
- 99% in 45 minutes
- Peak blood levels 15 - 45 minutes

Question 4

BBB association

Answer 4

• Easily passes BBB for rapid onset
  
  • Water and fat soluble
  • Peak CNS effects at approx. 3 hours

Question 5

Metabolism

Answer 5

• Liver metabolizes via enzyme CYPIA2
  
  • Excreted by kidneys
  • Half-life varies considerably
    * 2.5 - 7.5 hours

Question 6

Adenosine

Answer 6

Acts in several brain areas to reduce neurotransmitter release and produce behavioural sedation (it is inhibitory)
- Levels increase during the day
- Caffeine is an adenosine antagonist

Question 7

Caffeine indirectly affects the release of:

Answer 7

1.) Norepinephrine
2.) Dopamine
3.) Acetylcholine
4.) Serotonin
5.) Glutamate
6.) GABA
7.) Neuropeptides

Question 8

Some effects become tolerant

Answer 8

• Blood pressure, heart rate
  
  • Norepinephrine levels
  • Anxiety, nervousness, energy
  • More likely with high doses (750 - 1200mg)

Question 9

Some do not become tolerant

Answer 9

• Caffeine induced alertness and wakefulness
  
  • Cerebral energy metabolism

Question 10

Evidence of dependence

Answer 10

• Caffeine withdrawal symptoms:
  
  • Headaches
  • Fatigue
  • Dysphoric mood
• 11% of users report withdrawal with cessation

Question 11

Caffeine use disorder

Answer 11

Three of the most significant indices form the one criteria must be present for this diagnosis:
1.) Chronic craving or an inability to decrease or eliminate caffeine consumption
2.) Maintained use, even after recognising that caffeine has caused or worsened some type of mental or physical problem
3.) Elicitation of withdrawal symptoms or the prevention of withdrawal by continued consumption

Question 12

General effects of caffeine

Answer 12

• CNS stimulation (200mg)
  
  • Increased arousal/decreased drowsiness/risk of sleep disturbance
• Increased heart rate, respiration at high doses (400 - 500mg)
• Elevated mood
• Mixed effects on performance
  
  • Positive effects typically from reduced fatigue

Question 13

Therapeutic effects of caffeine

Answer 13

• cardiovascular function
• Gastrointestinal
• Cancer
• Neurological
• Cognition and mental health
  etc…

Question 14

Detrimental effects of caffeine

Answer 14

1.5g of caffeine/day
- Agitation, anxiety, tremors, rapid breathing, insomnia