Substances: Difference between revisions

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Caffeine is the most widespread psychoactive drug in the world<ref name="abc.net" /> and is contained in large quantities in coffee and, in lower concentration, in other beverages that are regularly consumed to temporally ward of drowsiness or increase mental performance. Caffeine relieves drowsiness  by blocking adenosine receptors in the brain <ref name="pmid20190965" />, due to a similar chemical structure as adenosine<ref name="adenosine3" />, that are a part of the sleep regulation mechanism.
Caffeine is the most widespread psychoactive drug in the world<ref name="abc.net" /> and is contained in large quantities in coffee and, in lower concentration, in other beverages that are regularly consumed to temporally ward of drowsiness or increase mental performance. Caffeine relieves drowsiness  by blocking adenosine receptors in the brain <ref name="pmid20190965" />, due to a similar chemical structure as adenosine<ref name="adenosine3" />, that are a part of the sleep regulation mechanism.


While caffeine both does induce a number of scientifically validated positive and negative effects on humans for a short time after consumption, withdrawal symptoms are possible in the case of caffeine dependence and are recognized by the ICD-11 and DSM-5. Caffeine is also shown to reduce time spent in SWS and REM<ref name="ratsCaffeine" /> in rats.
Caffeine is shown to reduce time spent in SWS and REM<ref name="ratsCaffeine" /><ref name="rats" /> in rats.


There are large genetically based differences in caffeine clearance time in the body<ref name="adenosine4" />, which might account for anecdotal accounts of varying sensitivity and prolonged effects of caffeine after ingestion. However, having a low sensitivity and still being able to fall asleep does not mean that the resulting sleep is unaffected.
There are large genetically based differences in caffeine clearance time in the body<ref name="adenosine4" />, which might account for anecdotal accounts of varying sensitivity and prolonged effects of caffeine after ingestion. However, having a low sensitivity and still being able to fall asleep does not mean that the resulting sleep is unaffected.