• What is caffeine?
• How is it taken?
• What are the effects?
• What are the dangers?
• Is it addictive?

What is caffeine?

Caffeine is a nervous-system stimulant. Although it is found in many food products, it is considered a drug because of its stimulatory properties. Caffeine provides that early morning "jolt" by stimulating the central nervous system.

Caffeine is produced naturally by numerous plants. It can also be produced artificially and added to foods.
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How is it taken?

Caffeine is found in many products such as soft drinks, coffee and tea, chocolate and other candy, and pain relievers and over-the-counter products such as Vivarin and No-Doz.
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What are the effects?

Physical effects include:

• Increased urination.
  
• Shakiness or "jitters".

Psychological effects include:

• Feeling of increased mental alertness.
  
• Feeling nervous and jumpy.

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What are the dangers?

• People who consume caffeine regularly may experience withdrawal symptoms, which include headaches, tremors and mood swings.
  
• Increased urination can lead to dehydration.
  
• Caffeine can aggravate certain nervous disorders and heart problems.
  
• Caffeine can interfere with or disrupt sleep.

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Is it addictive?

Caffeine is not considered an addictive drug like cocaine, heroin or alcohol because it does not produce the same compulsive drug-seeking behavior. However, like addictive drugs, caffeine produces greater tolerance in people who consume it regularly. These users must take higher doses to achieve the same results as they have had in the past, and they may experience withdrawal symptoms if they do not regularly consume caffeine.

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