E. Drew McKechnie & Carei Thomas

Name: Caffeine
Chemical Name: 3,7-Dihydro-1,3,7-trimethyl-1H-purine-2,6-dione
Alternate Names: 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine;
1,3,7-trimethyl-2,6-diosopurine; coffeine; thein; guaranine; methyltheobromine
Formula: C
8
H
10
N
4
O
2
Molecular Weight: 194.19

Caffeine is an alkaloid; of which there are numerous compounds such as the methylxanthines, with three distinguished compounds: caffeine, theophylline, and theobromine, found in guarana, kola nuts, coffee, tea, cocoa beans, mate and other plants.

Caffeine is a naturally occurring, flavorless chemical that acts as a stimulant to the central nervous system, cardiac muscle, respiratory system, and also acts as a diuretic.
Caffeine can also be synthetically produced.
Caffeine is commonly added in small amounts to colas to enhance their flavor. It is also added to appetite suppressants, cold medicines and pain relievers.

Regular caffeine consumption reduces sensitivity to the stimulant. When caffeine intake is reduced, the body becomes oversensitive to adenosine.
In response to this oversensitiveness, blood pressure drops dramatically, causing an excess of blood in the head (not necessarily on the brain), leading to a headache.

Today, most researchers believe that the stimulatory actions are attributable to the antagonism of the adenosine.
Agonists at the adenosine receptors produce sedation while antagonists at these sites, like caffeine and theophylline induce stimulation, the latter substance also reverses agonist-induced sedation, therefore indicating that the effects go through these receptors.

From Desk Reference to the Diagnostic Criteria from DSM-3-R (American Psychiatric Association, 1987):
Caffeine-Induced Organic Mental Disorder 305.90 Caffeine Intoxication
 Recent consumption of caffeine, usually in excess of 250 mg.
 At least 5 of the following signs:
- restlessness
- nervousness
- excitement
- insomnia
- flushed face
- diuresis
- gastrointestinal disturbance
- muscle twitching
- rambling flow of thought & speech
- tachycardia or cardiac arrhythmia
- periods of inexhaustibility
- psychomotor agitation

National Soft Drink Association: Content in milligrams / 12 oz. can
Afri-Cola
Jolt
Mountian Dew
Mellow Yellow
Surge
Tab
Coca-Cola
Diet Coke
100.0
71.2
55.0
52.8
51.0
46.8
45.6
45.6
Shasta Cola
Mr. Pibb
Dr. Pepper
Pepsi Cola
RC Cola
Diet Pepsi
Canada Dry
7 – UP
44.4
40.8
39.6
37.2
36.0
35.4
30.0
0

This headache, well known among coffee drinkers (and college students dependent on Dr. Pepper) , usually lasts from 1 TO 5 DAYS, and can be alleviated with analgesics such as aspirin. Slowly reducing consumption of caffeine is more effective than quitting ‘cold turkey’, as the withdrawal symptoms are far less severe.

Often, people who are reducing coffee intake report being irritable, unable to work, nervous, restless,
and feeling sleepy, as well as having a headache.
In extreme cases, nausea and vomiting has also been reported.
Caffeine and Health . J.E. James, Academic Press, 1991. Progress in Clinical and Biological Research, Volume 158.
G.A. Spiller, Ed. Alan R. Liss Inc., 1984.

Caffeine has long been suspect of causing mal-formations in fetus, and that it may reduce fertility rates, although some controversy exists in related reports.
Caffeine DOES cause malformations in rats, when ingested at rates comparable to 70 cups of coffee/day for humans.
However, 70 cups of coffee/day seems a bit ridiculous.

A recent study found a weak correlation between
Sudden-Infant-Death-Syndrome (SIDS) and caffeine consumption by the mother, which reinforces the recommendation for moderation – possibly even abstinence – during pregnancy.
For men, it has been shown that caffeine reduces rates of sperm motility which may account for some findings of reduced fertility.

From the Journal of AMA: (JAMA, 26 Jan. 1994, p. 280-3.)
“There was a significant association between (drinking more) caffeinated coffee and decreasing bone mineral density at both the hip and the spine, independent of age, obesity, years since menopause, and the use of tobacco, estrogen, alcohol, thiazides, and calcium supplements [in women].”
~ HOWEVER ~
“Bone density did not vary in women who reported drinking at least one glass of milk per day during most of their adult lives.”

Heartburn: relaxing muscles in the esophagus to allow the contents of one’s stomach to ‘back up’
Ulcers: increase secretion of both acid and pepsin in the stomach which could exacerbate an existing ulcer
♡ Problems: been shown to cause cardiac arrhythmias
(irregular heartbeats) in certain individuals
♡ Disease: heavy coffee drinkers (5+ cups/day) are two to three times more likely to have coronary heart disease than were non-drinkers

Caffeine increases the level of circulating fatty acids. This has been shown to increase the oxidation of these fuels, therefore enhancing fat oxidation.
The use of caffeine as a fat oxidizer has made it a component of many “fat burning” pills, the most common being ECA stacks (Ephedrine - Caffeine - Aspirin).

From Goodman and Gilman’s The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics:
Caffeine in combination with an analgesic, such as aspirin, is widely used in the treatment of ordinary types of headache.
There are few data, however, to substantiate its efficacy for this purpose. Caffeine is also used in combination with an ergot alkaloid in the treatment of migraines.
?

~ Drew McKechnie’s Personal Plan (A Work in Progress) ~
#1 Removing Taste as an Alluring Quality
Move from your current caffeinated beverage to one that tastes worse (ie. soft drinks with less sugar or
Starbucks -> Sanka).
(A) Dr. Pepper -> (B) Diet Coke [ Sugar: A > B ]

#2 – Reducing Availability of Caffeinated Beverages
Discontinue having caffeinated beverages easily accessible to you. It is a good idea to get them out of your fridge and as a more drastic measure, carry less singles around in your wallet – making it more difficult at soda machines.
You’re not dropping it ‘cold turkey’ by doing this because there is a good chance you don’t have the will power to keep from getting a caffeinated drink at your favorite dining hall.

#3 – Realization of Disutility
After about a week or two of reduced consumption of your new caffeinated beverage, you’ll realize that what you’re drinking doesn’t really taste that good.
Your discovery that by continuing to drink this you’re not gaining anything beneficial to you (even taste), is the moment you realize the light at the end of the tunnel is getting pretty bright.

#4 – True Taste Test
As a final test, when your draught from consuming your favorite beverage (the one that caused you all the problems) has lasted 4-6 weeks, experiment to see if it is still your favorite drink.
You may be surprised to find out that it no longer even tastes the same!
= 

FAQ About Caffeine - caffeine@aomt.netmegs.com
[© 2001 Erowid.org]
CNN Food Central Quick Facts – www.cnn.com
[© 2000 Cable News Network]
Debunking Myths: Fast Facts - National Headache Foundation
Personal Case Study in Dr. Pepper Consumption – E. Drew McKechnie