CAFFEINE CRAZY?

BY MUHAMMAD SIDDIQ – For many of us, coffee is a ritual. It’s something we seek out as soon as we wake upin the morning. From running between classes and extracurriculars to spending long nights in the library, students are often exhausted. Caffeine is usually the answer to this problem as we try to squeeze out as many hours out of a day as we can. It is readily available, especially with coffee shops all around us and energy drinks in almost every vending machine. In the United States, over 90% of adults admit to using caffeine regularly.

Caffeine resembles adenosine, a molecule in our brains that produces a feeling of tiredness. By blocking the adenosine receptors in our brain, caffeine instantly makes us feel more alert. It also causes natural stimulants in our brain such as dopamine to work more effectively. Similarly, excess adenosine present in our brain cues our adrenal glands to secrete adrenaline.  

Caffeine can be incredibly useful. It has shown to help with weight loss, physical performance, brain function, memory, and liver function. The stimulant, however, is only its most advantageous when consumed under moderation. The Food and Drug Administration recommends that adults limit their daily caffeine intake to a maximum of 400 milligrams a day. This equates to 4-5 cups of coffee. It can take much less than this, however, before a person may begin to notice some negative effects.

Caffeine is a substance that we can easily become dependent on. By drinking three cups of coffee a day for a week, our bodies will begin to crave more and more coffee. When the brain gets used to its chemical makeup being in an altered state, it is normal to feel a number of symptoms when the effects wear off. Caffeine withdrawals can lead to restlessness, irregular heart rate, disorientation, and strong headaches. In more extreme cases, too much caffeine consumption can lead to increased risks for depression, sleeping disorders, and a number of stomach issues.

Luckily, it is extremely easy to get rid of the habit of overconsumption. Caffeine withdrawal can be alleviated by decreasing intake. Withdrawal symptoms only last a bit over a week. During this time of decreased caffeine ingestion, the brain naturally decreases its number of adenosine receptors to their baseline levels. As a result, our reliance on and built-up tolerance towards caffeine will slowly decrease.

After overcoming caffeine dependence, a number of alternatives can be used to practice moderate consumption. Decaffeinated beverages can often give us many of the things we crave in their caffeinated counterparts. We often drink coffee or tea because of the taste or because we want something hot to drink. Many decaf teas contain ginseng and other herbal remedies that can increase our energy levels. Caffeine free sodas, while sugary, also give us something carbonated and refreshing without stimulating our bodies using energy drinks. Including fruit and grains in our diet, drinking lots of water, exercising, and getting enough sleep are also important ways to naturally maximize our energy. While a trip to Jittery Joe’s is much needed sometimes, it’s important to also give our bodies a break!