I think this is the topic that I have had in the back of my mind, but I low-key just didn’t want to write about it because I drink coffee so much, and I don’t want to read some article and realize that it’s high-key killing me. Anyways, let’s move on from low keys and high keys and be serious.
What is caffeine?
Caffeine is a naturally occurring substance that is present in more than 60 plants and is used in tea, chocolate, soda, and even supplements. It acts as a psychoactive drug, meaning it alters your state of mind. More specifically, it is a stimulant drug, which means it speeds up the messages traveling between the brain and the body.
Caffeine is said to be the most commonly used drug in the world. This is because coffee has become extremely normalized in society. It is easily accessible and advertised as a comfort drink. It is very common for us as teens to go to a cafe to study or just to relax and talk to friends. This appearance of a cafe being a place similar to that of a library causes the consumption of coffee to be very popular among teens. And I think that’s why this topic is very important, as the things that blend so seamlessly into society are normally those that are not as good as they appear.
What does caffeine do to your brain?
If you are a current or previous biology student, this section will sound very familiar. Once in your brain, caffeine impersonates adenosine, a neurotransmitter that depresses the nervous system.
As you go about your day, cells break down ATP (adenosine triphosphate) to create energy, releasing adenosine molecules in the process. In your brain, these adenosine molecules function like keys that fit into specialized locks called A1 and A2A receptors. Once enough adenosine keys open enough A1 and A2A locks, your muscles relax, motivation plummets, and an “I can’t keep my eyes open” sensation kicks in. Caffeine’s chemical structure looks a lot like adenosine’s. This allows caffeine to attach to the same A1 and A2A receptors, blocking adenosine’s “sleepy” signal from getting through. You feel more awake, motivated, and alert. In other words, you’re not receiving an energy boost; you just don’t experience fatigue.
This decrease in fatigue comes with a cost. Caffeine can negatively impact a teenager's brain development by disrupting sleep patterns, potentially hindering cognitive function, and increasing the risk of anxiety and mood issues. Research suggests that regular high caffeine intake during adolescence could slow down brain maturation and potentially contribute to long-term mental health concerns.
Key points about caffeine and teen brains:
Mood swings:
Excessive caffeine intake can lead to mood swings, irritability, and increased anxiety, especially in teens already experiencing emotional fluctuations.
According to Forbes, drinking caffeine triggers the release of adrenaline. Adrenaline is the source of the “fight or flight” response, a survival mechanism that forces you to stand up and fight or run for the hills when faced with a threat. The fight-or-flight mechanism sidesteps rational thinking in favor of a faster response. When caffeine puts your brain and body into this hyper-aroused state, your emotions overrun your behavior, causing anxiety and irritability.
Cognitive impairment:
While small amounts may temporarily improve focus, high caffeine consumption can impair concentration, memory, and decision-making abilities.
Approximately 18,000 people had their brain volume measured with MRI. At the 11-year follow-up, the investigators found that compared with light coffee drinkers (one to two daily cups), heavy coffee drinkers (more than six cups per day) tended to have smaller amounts of total brain volume, especially in the hippocampus, the region responsible for short- and long-term memory. Heavy drinkers also had a 53% higher risk of being diagnosed with dementia compared with light drinkers. The risk was approximately the same whether people drank caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee.
Potential for dependence:
Teenagers are more susceptible to developing caffeine dependence due to their developing brains and potential for addiction.
Like any stimulant, caffeine is physiologically and psychologically addictive. The researchers at Johns Hopkins found that caffeine withdrawal causes headaches, fatigue, sleepiness, and difficulty concentrating. Some people report feeling flu-like symptoms, depression, and anxiety after reducing intake by as little as one cup a day.
Like anything in life, caffeine must be taken in moderation as the effects are more than what is stated in coffee commercials. I think a way to cut down on caffeine consumption is by finding new ways to feel alert by getting active, taking naps, and practicing breathing exercises.
That’s it for today and I hope this was informative and eye opening for you. The articles that i used to write this blog are cited below.
Bradberry, T. (2012, August 21). Caffeine: the silent killer of success. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/travisbradberry/2012/08/21/caffeine-the-silent-killer-of-emotional-intelligence/
Caffeine - Alcohol and Drug Foundation. (n.d.). https://adf.org.au/drug-facts/caffeine/
Morales-Brown, P. (2023, July 24). What does caffeine do to your body? https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/285194
Noble, D. (2024, May 10). Can moderate amounts of caffeine positively impact brain health? Mayo Clinic Press. https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/healthy-brain/can-moderate-amounts-of-caffeine-positively-impact-brain-health/
National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). Caffeine. https://medlineplus.gov/caffeine.html
Reid, S. (2024, September 30). Caffeine and its effects on teenagers - HelpGuide.org. HelpGuide.org. https://www.helpguide.org/family/parenting/caffeine-and-its-effects-on-teenagers
Solan, M. (2021, November 1). Too much coffee may raise dementia risk. Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/too-much-coffee-may-raise-dementia-risk
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