Most of the caffeine we consume is found in coffee and tea, but it can also be found in some sodas, chocolate, caffeine pills, and decaf beverages. Caffein helps us feel alert, focused, happy, and energetic, even if we lack sleep. However, it can also raise our blood pressure and make us feel anxious. Caffeine is found the leaves and seeds of certain plant species. It's toxic to insects, but when they consume it in lower doses, such as found in nectar, it can help them to remember and revisit flowers.

Caffeine consumption

In the human body, caffeine acts as a stimulant for the central nervous system. It keeps us awake by blocking one of the body's sleep-inducing molecules, called adenosine. Your body gets its supply of energy by breaking down ATP, a high-energy molecule. In the process, adenosine is released. When adenosine docks at the receptors in your brain,  it activates a cascade of biochemical reactions that makes your neurons fire more slowly, making you get sleepy. Caffeine interfears with this process of slowing your neurons.

Why caffeine keeps us awake

Adenosine receptors are linked to the dopamine receptors in some neurons in the brain. Dopamine promotes feelings of pleasure. When adenosine docks in one of these paired receptors, it makes it harder for dopamine to fit in its own place and interrupt mood-lifting. But when caffeine takes the place of adenosine, dopamine can fit in its own place and increase the mood.

Caffeine boost positive feelings

Caffeine can reduce the risk of diseases like Parkinson's,, Alzheimer's, and some types of cancer. It can increase the body's ability to burn fat.  However, caffeine can also raise your heart rate and blood pressure, cause increased urination or diarrhoea, and cause insomnia and anxiety.  The body adapts to regular consumption of caffeine. When you suddenly quit caffeine, you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, tiredness and depressed moods.

Caffeine long-term effects

View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-does-caffeine-keep-us-awake-hanan-qasim Over 100,000 metric tons of caffeine are consumed around the world every year. That’s equivalent to the weight of 14 Eiffel Towers! Caffeine helps us feel alert, focused, and energetic, even if we haven’t had enough sleep — but it can also raise our blood pressure and make us feel anxious. So how does it keep us awake? Hanan Qasim shares the science behind the world’s most widely used drug. Lesson by Hanan Qasim, directed by Adriatic Animation.

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How does caffeine keep us awake? - Hanan Qasim

Cortisol is a stress hormone and has a particular circadian rhythm that is regulated by the brain. According to a 2009 study, interrupting this rhythm can lead to metabolic abnormalities, fatigue, and poor quality of life.
Consuming caffeine when your cortisol levels are high can lead to interference in production of cortisol and increase your tolerance. You may then need more caffeine over time.

Cortisol and caffeine

Of course, with anything caffeinated, moderation is key. When consumed in excess, caffeine can cause anxiety, heart palpitations, and sleeping problems.According to Consumer Reports, up to 400mg of caffeine per day (which equals two to four 8 ounce cups) can be part of a healthy diet, however anythi...

Health

How to make your coffee habit benefit you

Caffeine in excess cause anxiety, heart palpitations, and sleeping disturbances.
Up to 400mg of caffeine a day (two to four 8 ounce cups) can be part of a healthy diet, and over 600mg per day is too much.

Enough caffeine

<ul>
<li>Boosting your metabolism</li>
<li>Improving your physical performance</li>
<li>Helping you with your nutrient intake (the vitamins B2, B3, B5, manganese, and potassium are all found in coffee)</li>
<li>Lowering your risk of developing type 2 diabetes</li>
<li>Helping fight depression symptoms</li>
<li>Providing a source of antioxidants</li>
</ul>

Health benefits of coffee

<ul>
<li>The caffeine in your morning coffee binds to your brain's adenosine receptors, preventing the biochemical from making you tired.</li>
<li>Caffeine also builds your adrenaline supply, which increases your heart rate and allows blood to pump faster.</li>
<li>Caffeine prevents dopamine from being reabsorbed into your system, causing you to feel happy for longer.</li>
<li>The dopamine that lingers in the brain can trigger the brain to crave more caffeine.</li>
<li>The more coffee you drink, the more adenosine receptors are formed, which means you may need more coffee to keep you awake.</li>
</ul>

Caffeine and the brain

Caffeine, the main stimulant in coffee, works on a chemical level to give you a boost of energy. However, caffeine is structurally similar to another chemical naturally created in the body, called adenosine, which makes you tired.Some substances imitate natural neurotransmitters and can take their p...

How does caffeine keep us awake? - Hanan Qasim

How to make your coffee habit benefit you

How to make your coffee habit benefit you

How to make your coffee habit benefit you

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