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Many people are dependent on their morning brew. Without
the fresh aroma of coffee in the morning and a freshly
poured cup in hand, their mornings are shot.
Researchers say that the jolt you get from drinking java or
soda may seem small, but caffeinated drinks can be
addictive. The news may be surprising to some, but makes
sense to the many Americans who can't face the day without
hitting Starbucks first.
Coffee is high in caffeine, as are cola drinks and tea. At
doses of one to three cups of coffee a day, caffeine has no
effect on the area of the brain involved with addiction,
dependence and reward. In fact, any coffee drinker could
tell you that caffeine consumed in moderation contributes to
increased alertness and energy.
Caffeine affects the brain like all other psychoactive
substances. Addiction to caffeine, alcohol, cigarettes and
drugs all seem to depend, at least partially, on your genes.
Women seem to inherit a taste for caffeine more than men.
Their tolerance and withdrawal symptoms experience also
seems to be inherited.
Scientist continues to debate whether caffeine is actually
addictive. Other addictive substances trigger activity in
the part of the brain responsible for addiction called
accumbens. Even low doses of amphetamines, cocaine,
morphine, and nicotine can trigger this activity.
It would take the equivalent of about seven or more cups of
caffeinated coffee consumed in rapid succession to begin to
activate this portion of the brain. Even then, activation of
the circuitry of addiction and reward occurs only at high
doses of caffeine, which probably induce already adverse
effects. These effects include anxiety, nervousness and
depression.
It is always good to remember than an excess of anything can
be bad. This includes caffeine. Recent study showed that
dependence can occur over a wide range of dosages. They
range from as little as one or two cups per day to as much
as 25 cups per day. Coffee addicts should be aware that
caffeine is not as benign as it seems. While debate rages
on, it is important to remember that caffeine is still a
drug and can be addictive.
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