True Effects of Caffeine
Together with nicotine and alcohol, the effects of caffeine is one of the three most widely consumed mood-affecting and psychoactive substances. Aside from coffee, caffeine is also in your chocolate, tea and cola drinks. Every time you these kinds of beverages, you simply give you body a "hit" of caffeine. Although this drug usually has no harmful side-effects, consumption of caffeine causes health problems in some cases. Hence, caffeine consumption must be regulated to enjoy significant health benefits as well as avoid adverse health effects.
The caffeine in beverages such as coffee and tea are actually beneficial to health. Regular coffee drinkers may lessen their risk of developing heart disease. The substance also stimulates nervous system functions. It also mildly stimulates cardiovascular functions. This way, it acts as a reinforcing agent that works similarly to the drugs used to provide stimulus functions resulting to increased energy, increased alertness and increased concentration. Also, caffeine causes an increase in blood flow, heart rate, respiratory rate and metabolic rate, which can last for several hours. However, caffeine causes these benefits only when taken in low to moderate doses (50 to 300 milligram). In contrast, taking higher doses of caffeine usually result to restlessness, anxiety, insomnia, tachycardia and other negative health effects. People who are caffeine sensitive may also develop these symptoms when taking small to moderate doses of caffeine.
Caffeine is basically a quick-acting substance that produces reactions similar to the body's stress responses. It almost instantly affects mind-body functions as it is readily absorbed and carried through the bloodstream, influencing the state of the body for about six to eight hours. People react differently to this substance. When some experiences difficulty sleeping due to taking caffeinated drinks, other people reacts to caffeine like it is a great night cap. However, just like other mood-affecting drugs, there is a good chance for this drug to be abused. On the other hand, sudden cessation of caffeine consumption often causes bothersome but transient symptoms.
In general, the effects of caffeine depend on how much caffeine was ingested. Regularly taking high doses of caffeine, which translate to taking six cups of coffee (600 milligrams caffeine), often result to sweating, headache, nervousness, tense feeling and upset stomach. More serious symptoms include difficulty sleeping, depression, lack of focus, fatigue and irritability. This condition characterizes caffeine tolerance, a condition that poses serious risks to health.
Since caffeine is mildly addictive, similar symptoms may also be experienced when one withdraws from caffeine. Regularly consuming caffeine generally reduces one's sensitivity to caffeine. In this way, the body suddenly becomes oversensitive whenever the consumption of the substance is reduced. Common body responses include dramatically reduced blood pressure, which tend to draw more blood in the head and cause headaches.
Other caffeine withdrawal symptoms include irritability, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting and poor concentration. These symptoms tend to peak progressively within the week after a sudden and complete withdrawal from caffeine. In this light, if you plan on weaning yourself from the usual caffeinated beverages, it must be done gradually to minimize symptoms.
Since people react differently to caffeine, be wary of the symptoms of caffeine tolerance and caffeine sensitivity. Knowing that the effect of caffeine and that caffeine causes bothersome sensations should be enough to convince you of the necessity of consulting a medical adviser about your caffeine health issues.
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