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A Monthly Newsletter History Of Caffeine
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History of Caffeine Caffeine is one of the world's most widely used drugs. Some anthropologists believe its use may date back to the Stone Age. Caffeine was first extracted from coffee in 1821. Coffee originated in Ethiopia, by the fourth century AD it was introduced to Arabia and the rest of the east. It is believed that the Ethiopian nomads discovered coffee through their animals. They realized that after the animals would eat the Starlight Brain Integration, llc
Is There Caffeine In Chocolate? http:// www.wisegeek.org Top 10 Caffeine Withdrawal Symptoms
Increasing Our Alertness To Caffeine Use In Ourselves And Our Children
Issue No 21 - June 2014 10 Ways To Get Energy Without Caffeine
The Effects Of Caffeine On The Brain
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http://www.ehow.com/ about_5426613_effectscaffeine-brain.html
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people involved in the rituals could stay up and pray the entire night. In 1573 coffee was introduced to the Europeans. When it was first introduced to them, the authorities tried to ban it but they were unsuccessful. Tea was introduced later in 1657 and The brain is the great receiving and became very popular to the distributing reservoir of vital electricity, just people. Even later, milk chocolate as the heart is the receiving and distributing reservoir of blood ~ Edward B. Foote was introduced into Switzerland (medical common sense, 1866) in 1876. Near the end of the 19th century cola products started to fruits from the trees they would appear around the world. have an energy boost, so the nomads tried eating the seeds too Follow your honest convictions, and they also had an increase in and stay strong. energy. Coffee has since been used William Thackeray in religious ceremonies so that the 1
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Red Bull Banned Red Bull may be the best selling energy drink in the United States, but it isn't so popular in other countries. In 2000, the French government decided to ban Red Bull after the brand was linked to the death of an 18-year-old Irish athlete. The teenager died after drinking four cans of Red Bull at a game. French laws dictate the maximum amount of caffeine that companies can add to products, and Red Bull exceeds that limit. Denmark and Norway have also banned the drink. Other countries, such as Canada, require the can to carry a warning label for pregnant women and children.
The Dangers Of Energy Drinks
Energy drinks could be giving you more than just a boost of energy, including negative effects on blood pressure, heart rate, and brain function. Your favorite energy drink may be giving you more than you bargained for with dangerous amounts of caffeine, sugar, and other ingredients that can cause more harm than good. Some research has shown that consuming energy drinks may have negative effects on blood pressure, heart rate, and brain function. Here are four things to think about when consuming energy drinks. Sugar The large amounts of sugar in energy drinks can lead to unnecessary spikes in blood sugar, dental health problems, and added weight gain. Be sure to check the label to see how much sugar is in your favorite drink. Starlight Brain Integration, llc
Compare it to a popular soda and you’ll find that often energy drinks contain even more sugar than a regular soda. Dangers to kids Kids who drink energy drinks are exposing themselves to the same high levels of caffeine and sugar than adults are. However, because they are growing, these dangers could have greater negative effects on their future health than adults. Talk to your kids about energy drinks and offer alternatives like water, fruit juice, or milk. Dehydration Large amounts of caffeine and sugar
may lead to dehydration. A dehydrated body can’t perform at its best; whether your at your desk or on the playing field. If you do have an energy drink, try to follow it with a large glass of water to keep hydrated. Think smart Before you have an energy drink or give one to your kids, be sure to check the labels and think of alternative energy boost. Often adequate rest, water, light exercise, and natural energy derived from foods will give your body the fuel that it needs for ongoing health and performance.
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Is There Caffeine In Chocolate?
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Top 10 Caffeine Withdrawal Symptoms
Headache- A caffeine headache usually starts behind the eyes and then moves up the front of the head.
Sleepiness- This just isn’t your normal tiredness, this is sitting up straight but still can’t keep your eyes open tiredness.
There is caffeine in chocolate, present only in small amounts. For those who must avoid caffeine completely, this may be bad news. However, for those who can have a small amount of caffeine, the caffeine in chocolate is not likely to be problematic unless one consumes vast quantities of chocolate on a regular basis. The caffeine in chocolate varies according to the type of chocolate one chooses. Caffeine in chocolate that is unsweetened or is semi-sweet usually contains about five to 10 milligrams of caffeine per ounce of chocolate. Caffeine in chocolate with milk added is usually measured at five milligrams or less per ounce. Generally, caffeine in chocolate is present in higher amounts, as the chocolate gets darker.
One can compare this to coffee to see that this is a relatively minuscule amount.
gets on your last nerve.
Lethargy- Forget about productivity at
The average cup of coffee contains about ten to fifteen times the amount of caffeine in one ounce of chocolate. Usually coffee contains between 100-150 milligrams of caffeine in an eight-ounce cup. This may vary slightly according to brand and roast style. The caffeine in tea also can be compared to caffeine in chocolate. Green Tea is much lower in caffeine than coffee, containing between 15-40 milligrams per eight-ounce cup. Black Tea has an average of 50 milligrams of caffeine per cup. Both green and black tea will have a higher caffeine rating depending upon amount of tea used and brewing time.
Usually, the highest caffeine measurement for an ounce of chocolate is 10 milligrams. If we all did the things we are capable of, we would astound ourselves Thomas Edison Starlight Brain Integration, llc
Irritability- Everyone and everything
this stage because you’ll be unmotivated to do anything.
Constipation- Caffeine stimulates the bowel, so without its daily does the colon gets a little cranky too.
Depression- Caffeine withdrawal can take away all hope for living. Temporary blues are one thing, but if you already struggle with depression this could be a big issue.
Muscle Pain/Stiffness- If you normally have some caffeine prior to exercise then during caffeine withdrawal you could feel as though your muscles have weights strapped to them.
Lack of Concentration- Forget school, studying, brain surgery, or jet engine repair during this stage of withdrawal.
Flu-like symptoms- Stuffy nose, blocked sinuses and even vomiting have been reported by people withdrawing from caffeine.
Insomnia- Some people are strange and actually can’t sleep when going through caffeine withdrawal. 3
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Did you Know? An American tea and coffee merchant named Thomas Sullivan invented the tea bag in 1904. He used the tea bag to send samples to his customers. Increasing Our Alertness to Caffeine Use in Ourselves and Our Children Whatever your personal opinion of that daily coffee or diet soda might be, we as a society—not just as individuals, but as a whole society— have made the use of caffeine into a daily ritual. For some it is an approved indulgence. For others, it represents an absolute need. While this is obviously a problem amongst adults, it represents adverse example-setting when practiced in the presence of children. Every time we pull through the drive-thru for that daily double-mocha, every time our children hear us say, “I need a diet soda,” we send a message to our charges in the back seat that this is a necessary part of our daily, adult lives. That stage is being set, so let’s take a step back and look objectively at this habit of caffeine, both in ourselves and our children. Make no mistake: caffeine is a drug. As a psychoactive compound, this stimulant blocks the action of adenosine and adenosine receptors. Essentially, caffeine binds to adenosine receptors in nerve cells, but it doesn’t slow down the cell’s activity; instead, it speeds it up. Also, while adenosine opens blood vessels, caffeine causes them to constrict. Starlight Brain Integration, llc
On the “positive” side, the immediate effects in humans range from enhanced cognitive performance to auditory vigilance to improved reaction time. But on the “negative” end of the spectrum, it causes high blood pressure, increases heart rate, disrupts sleep cycles, and negatively impacts attention spans. As the body becomes habituated to the drug, it compensates for these effects, and begins to require more caffeine to function at normal levels. One study showed that children aged 9-10 who regularly drank two or fewer cans of cola a day were less alert than their non-indulging counterparts. In short, the more caffeine we take in, the less of its effects we experience, and the less we are able to function at normal levels of alertness. Aside from the stimulant nature of caffeine, we cannot ignore how it is delivered: children and adolescents primarily get caffeine doses through drinking soda and energy drinks. During their most formative years, they are repeatedly exposed to and conditioned to the paring of sugar and caffeine. sugar as a “natural reward” that “activates similar
reward pathways as drugs of abuse, such as cocaine, amphetamine, and nicotine.” So along with decreased brain function, these habits can potentially contribute to life-long afflictions like diabetes and obesity. Lastly, let’s add to this the fact that childhood and adolescence is the fastest stage of brain development. At this time, proper sleep and nutrition are critical elements in laying the foundation for future brain health and fitness. The consumption of caffeine and sugar undermines both. We know the habits that contribute to a healthy life. Maintaining good nutrition, getting the right amount of sleep and staying away from drugs are all key lessons that we want our younger generations to internalize. How can we help make that happen? As challenging as it might be, might we consider starting with ourselves, ditching the daily double-mocha and diet soda, and taking the first step toward leading by example? By becoming more aware of our own habits, maybe we can begin to help our children take positive control of their own. 4
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10 Ways To Get Energy Without Caffeine Have a Protein-Filled Snack Feeling drowsy? Nosh on a protein-packed snack! This is a simple but effective way to keep yourself going throughout the day. Think crunchy apple slices with creamy peanut butter, turkey rollups with string cheese, or almonds and dried fruit. Pop a B Vitamin Vitamin B deficiency has been linked to low energy levels, among other things. In fact, mood changes, poor concentration, anxiety, and depression can all be signs of a vitamin B deficiency. So if you’re feeling tired regularly, try popping a B-complex vitamin. Try a Quick Workout When you’re tired, hitting the gym is the last thing you want to do. But studies show that a short sweat session can kick up your energy levels for the rest of the day. According to Fitness Magazine, you don’t need to pound the treadmill for an hour – a quick jog around the block will do.
your goal is to do the opposite, consider changing the temperature. Cold water stimulates your system and speeds up circulation, resulting in a more alert you.
thumbs correlates with your pituitary gland. Massages generally leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated, but reflexology takes things one step further and pinpoints specific areas that need work. According to Eat Smaller, More Frequent Meals The American Reflexology Certification Board, the practice According to Terri Fant-Franklin, a nutritionist at Kaiser Permanente, helps restore balance to the body. changing your eating habits can Talk It Out greatly increase your energy levels. “Having smaller, more frequent Next time you’re feeling down and meals will keep your calorie flow tired, try talking to a friend. at a more even pace which helps Studies show that chatting can help make you feel more alert. with energy,” Fant-Franklin says. Being socially disconnected can Go To Sleep 20 Minutes Earlier trickle into other areas of your life, Aim to hit the sack 20-30 minutes resulting in negative thoughts and earlier and chances are, you’ll end lower levels of productivity. up getting significantly more sleep. Meditate Take a Walk Taking a brisk stroll has similar effects to working out. According to WebMD, moving your body (even at a slow pace) will have you feeling more alert in just minutes. Get A (Reflexology) Massage
In the practice of reflexology, your hands and feet are filled with Take A Cold Shower pressure points that relate to Hot showers are the best for specific areas of the body. For relaxing and winding down. But if example, the top part of your Starlight Brain Integration, llc
The mind is a powerful tool. It’s been proven that visualization exercises can help bring you closer to achieving your goals. Next time you’re feeling zapped for energy, try this simple exercise: sit on a chair with your back straight and your hands on your knees. Close your eyes and envision yourself feeling positive and energized. Take deep breaths and keep your posture strong. Before long, you’ll have an increased sense of mental and physical awareness. 5
The Effects of Caffeine on the Brain S
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Caffeine may make you feel awake and vigorous for a short period of time, but it can harm the brain in the long run, especially for those who consume caffeine regularly. Understanding how caffeine affects the brain can help you see why many people are so addicted. motivation. Caffeine, although with a much lesser effect, increases dopamine levels the same way recreational drugs such as amphetamines and cocaine do. That is why people feel revived and alert after drinking caffeine beverages, and why it can develop into an addiction.
Caffeine and Panic Disorders
Caffeine and Adenosin
Adenosine is a chemical that the brain releases when the body needs to slow down nerve cell activity. In other words, it is a natural sedative that reminds us we need to rest or sleep. When we consume caffeine, it blocks adenosine and tricks the body into feeling awake. Vanderbilt University School of Medicine researchers have found that habitual caffeine consumers usually have shorter and less refreshing sleep than occasional caffeine drinkers do. As a result, they need caffeine to stay awake again the next day. And the cycle goes on like this day after day, which is very harmful. Without adequate quality sleep, the brain cannot replenish its energy and function properly.
Caffeine and Dopamine Dopamine is a neurotransmitter in the brain that stimulates a sense of pleasure as well as attention and Starlight Brain Integration, llc
In normal people, caffeine puts the body into a constant state of readiness or fighting mode in which blood pressure rises, muscles tighten up and the liver releases more sugar into the bloodstream. In people with panic disorders, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), caffeine can lead to a rapid rise of the brain hormone cortisol, which gives them a panic attack. Because of this association between caffeine and panic attacks, most physicians encourage patients with panic disorders to cease all caffeine consumption.
Habitual vs. Occasional Caffeine Consumers Dr. W. Leigh Thompson, co-director of Clinical Pharmacology at Case Western Reserve University, points out that the effects of caffeine on the brain can differ significantly depending on whether you consume it regularly or not. As for occasional coffee drinkers, a little bit of caffeine can make them feel noticeably alert. Habitual caffeine consumers, however, need a much larger amount
of caffeine to feel awake, as their bodies have become accustomed to it. If you need more than 400 mg of caffeine, or three cups of coffee to wake you up, it means your body is probably dependent on the substance.
Quitting Caffeine Do not quit caffeine cold turkey, especially if you are a heavy coffee drinker. Instead, cut down your caffeine intake gradually over a week or two. A sudden lack of caffeine can cause extreme fatigue, depression and splitting headaches known as "caffeine-withdrawal headaches," which usually occur about 12 hours after the last dose of caffeine.
Make it thy Business to know thyself, which is the most difficult lesson in the world. Miguel de Cervantes
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