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Caffeine culture consumes us - The Daily of the University of Washington

Caffeine culture consumes us - The Daily of the University of Washington

Recreational caffeine users consume caffeine when they feel sleepy or need an extra boost. This feeling of sleepiness occurs when the body produces a chemical called adenosine. The chemical builds up during the day and binds to receptors in the brain. This binding causes sleepiness and drowsiness, leading many to think of caffeine as a solution to their low energy.

While the process that takes place when caffeine enters the body is complex, the basic idea is that when caffeine is consumed, it binds to the same receptors in the brain that the sleep-causing adenosine chemicals bind to. This bond causes an increased number of neurons to fire in the brain. The body, being the smart machine that it is, sees these neurons firing and thinks that a crisis or emergency is taking place, so it produces adrenaline.

This rapid release of adrenaline is what wakes you up and makes you jittery. In the short term, caffeine makes you more alert and gives you more energy. Studies are now showing, however, that the long-term effects of caffeine include several health problems, including addiction.

Many scientists believe that an addiction to caffeine occurs partially because of the increased level of dopamine that caffeine produces after consumption. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that acts as a pleasure-maker and when activated, creates feelings of happiness and bliss. These feelings can be addictive, and when associated with caffeine, they can cause a full-blown caffeine addiction.
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