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Stimulants are a type of drug that affect the central nervous system and the the sympathetic nervous system, they are used therapeutically to avoid fatigue, lack of conscious alertness (narcolepsy), to cope with lack of concentration (ADHD), depression and excess weight. Stimulants can also be used to supress apetite, their addictive nature can lead to anorexia, speacially with more strong and exotic compounds. In this article we will expose the most used stimulant in the world, caffeine.
In 1819 German chemist named Friedrich Ferdinand Runge discovered caffeine. He first named the discovery kaffein, a compund present in coffe. There are more designations for caffeine, guaranine in guarana, mateine in mate and theine in tea. All these refer to caffeine. Caffeine can be found in more then 60 plants, acting like a pesticide for certain animals protecting the plant.
Caffeine acts as a competitive inhibitor of adenosine which is responsable for controlling neurotransmitter release. If caffeine blocks the site, adenosine can not bind does creating more neuron activity with the release of mass amounts of dopamine in the hypothalamus. Often hyper stimulated individuals report some sort of electric activity behind the head near the hypothalamus. This event is more prone to happen in late stages of REM sleep. Dopamine mainly influences our cognition, motivation and the reward system.
The reward system is responsable for the release of dopamine particularly in areas such as the ventral tegmental area and nucleus accumbens when doing such activities as eating food, making sex and consuming drugs. Stimulants such as cocaine, nicotine and amphetamines are very well known for their effect in the reward system causing dependence and serious addiction.
Most known side effects with heavy doses are anxiety, depression, insomnia, dizziness, blured vision, palpitations, muscle tremors and irregular or fast heart rares.
This article should function as an introduction material to caffeine, for more information regarding it visit the links below.
Caffeine: A User's Guide
Caffeine @ Erowid
Coffee: A Little Really Does Go a Long Way
Does coffee really give you a buzz?
Is Caffeine a Health Hazard?
The Effect of Caffeine on Weight Loss
Coffee and Caffeine's Frequently Asked Questions
