Caffeine Dependence

Caffeine dependence is the condition of having a substance dependence on caffeine, a commonplace central nervous system stimulant drug which occurs naturally in coffee, tea, yerba mate, cocoa, and other plants. Caffeine is one of the most common additives in many consumer products, including pills and beverages such as caffeinated alcoholic beverages, energy drinks, and colas. Studies have found that 89 percent of adults in the U.S. consume on average 200 mg of caffeine daily. Cultural influence is a large factor in deciding how and what way caffeine is used. For example, in African, Asian and Pacific countries, tea is the most popular form of caffeine, whilst in Europe and North America, coffee is the mainstream choice.

The ''Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders'' describes four caffeine-related disorders including intoxication, withdrawal, anxiety, and sleep.

Dependence

Mild physical dependence can result from long-term caffeine use. In the human body, caffeine blocks adenosine receptors A₁ and A_2A.Fisone, G, Borgkvist A, Usiello A (2004):  Caffeine as a psychomotor stimulant:  Mechanism of Action. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences 61:857-872 Adenosine is a by-product of cellular activity, and stimulation of adenosine receptors produces feelings of tiredness and the need to sleep. Caffeine's ability to block these receptors means the levels of the body's natural stimulants, dopamine and norepinephrine, continue at higher levels.

Continued exposure to caffeine leads the body to create more adenosine-receptors in the central nervous system, which makes it more sensitive to the effects of adenosine. This reduces the stimulatory effects of caffeine by increasing tolerance. It also causes the body to suffer withdrawal symptoms (such as headaches, fatigue, and irritability) if caffeine intake decreases.

Addiction vs. dependence

Caffeine use is classified as a dependence, not an addiction. For a drug to be considered addictive, it must activate the brain's reward circuit. Caffeine, like addictive drugs, enhances dopamine signaling in the brain (is eugeroic), but not enough to activate the brain's reward circuit like addictive substances such as cocaine, morphine, and nicotine. Caffeine dependence forms due to caffeine antagonizing the adenosine A2A receptor, effectively blocking adenosine from the adenosine receptor site. This delays the onset of drowsiness and releases dopamine. As of right now, caffeine withdrawal qualifies as a psychiatric condition by the American Psychiatric Association, but caffeine use disorder does not.

Professor Roland R. Griffiths, a professor of neurology at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, strongly believes that caffeine withdrawal should be classified as a psychological disorder. His research suggests that withdrawal affects 50% of habitual coffee drinkers, beginning within 12–24 hours after cessation of caffeine intake, and peaking in 20–48 hours, lasting as long as 9 days. In another study, he concluded that people who take in a minimum of 100mg of caffeine per day (about the amount in one cup of coffee) can acquire a physical dependence that would trigger withdrawal symptoms, including muscle pain and stiffness, nausea, vomiting, and depressed mood.

Physiological effects

Caffeine dependence can cause a person to suffer different physiological effects if caffeine consumption is not maintained. Commonly known caffeine withdrawal symptoms include headaches, fatigue, loss of focus, lack of motivation, mood swings, nausea, insomnia, dizziness, cardiac issues, hypertension, anxiety, and backache and joint pain; these can range in severity from mild to severe. These symptoms may occur within 12–24 hours and can last well up to two to nine days.

Tests are still being done to get a better understanding of the effects that occur to people when they become dependent on different forms of caffeine to make it through the day. There has been research findings that suggest that the circadian cycle is not significantly changed under popular practices of caffeine consumption in the morning and during the afternoon.

Pregnancy

If pregnant, it is recommended not to consume over 200 mg of caffeine a day (though relative to the physical of the person). If a pregnant female consumes high levels of caffeine, it can result in low birth weights due to loss of blood flow to the placenta which could lead to an increase in health problems later in that child's life. It can also result in premature labor, reduced fertility, and other reproductive issues. The American Pregnancy Association suggests "avoiding caffeine as much as possible" before and during pregnancy or discussing how to curtail dependency with a healthcare provider.

Children and teenagers

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), it is not recommended for individuals under the age of 18 to consume several caffeinated drinks in one day. If they were to consume caffeine, it is recommended to follow some guidelines so they do not consume too much throughout the day. Such guidelines is commonly lacking in actual strategies to incorporate in to daily life. If they do not follow, they can become dependent on caffeine and without it can suffer many different side effects. These include increase of heart rate and blood pressure, sleep disturbance, mood swings, and acidic problems. Long lasting problems on children's nervous system and cardiovascular system are currently unknown, and studies are still being conducted on it. Some research has suggested that caffeinated drinks should not focus on children as their target audience or to be consumed by children.

References

External links

{{Psychoactive substance use

Caffeine
Substance dependence