This time we will examine the effects of caffeine on the brain. We often consume caffeinated drinks, especially coffee and tea every morning. In fact, there are now many coffee shops on the side of the road, which causes us to sometimes want to increase the portion of caffeinated drinks every day. Usually, we only consume a cup of coffee in the morning, but sometimes we now want to add coffee from one cup to two, three or four cups a day.
Caffeinated drinks are no longer a drink to increase alertness, but we are already drinking them as a lifestyle or as a pleasure drink. Especially now that there are many new tools for processing espresso coffee, sanger and others.
But have you ever wondered how caffeine works on the brain when we consume too many caffeinated drinks. Let’s take a further look at the effects caffeine has on our brains.
Bad Effects of Caffeine on the Brain
Indeed drinking coffee can increase energy, alertness and give us a lot of pleasure. However, if too much caffeine is consumed, the brain will have bad consequences. Bukna again the vigilance, focus and energy we get, but there are bad effects that occur on the brain. If excessive caffeine every day, it can cause blood flow to the brain to be obstructed and restricted and this is very dangerous. In fact, blood flow to several other organs is also blocked.
Also see: 8 Side Effects of Too Much Caffeine
Every day a cup of coffee or a cup of tea may still be tolerated. What if every day you drink 5 or 7 cups a day. This will certainly burden the liver’s performance in digesting caffeine every day. This may cause health problems. However, this also depends on a person’s genes and how immune each person is.
Effects of Caffeine on the Brain
In the brain there is a chemical called Adenosine. This substance is responsible for causing drowsiness and slowing down the activity of nerve cells. When a person experiences fatigue, Adenosine triggers brain cells to slow down. Now, when it slows down, we will fall asleep and at this time the brain rejuvenates the cells to increase their function again after we wake up.
While too much caffeine we consume blocks the effects of Adenosine by occupying adenosine receptors, the brain cannot see it. So in this case, whether you are tired or need sleep to renew brain cells, caffeine tricks the brain into thinking that it is awake or not tired.
Not only that, but other effects of caffeine are that it can release adrenaline from the adrenal glands. This will put tuguh in a state of tension and resistance or what is called the courage to act. As a result, you experience:
- Your pupils are enlarged
- The heart beats fast
- Skin blood vessels constrict and slow blood flow to the skin
- The blood flow to the muscles increases and makes the muscles work
- Increased blood pressure
- Blood flow to the stomach becomes slow
- Your liver releases sugar into the bloodstream in preparation for extra energy
- Muscles tensed and ready for action
Apart from that, the effect of caffeine also increases dopamine levels as does amphetamines. Dopamine is a brain neotransmitter whose job is to activate the pleasure center in the brain. So, this process is similar to that of amphetamines, although the size of the effect is different between coffee and amphetamines.
Caffeine addiction, is it bad for the brain?
In fact, excessive caffeine does not only have potential on the brain, but can also cause chronic dehydration. It also adds to heart stress, anxiety, headaches, high blood pressure, and other bad problems.
However, the dangers and bad effects of caffeine also depend on a person’s body chemistry. When caffeine disappears in the body, a person will naturally feel tired and depressed. So, consuming caffeine to restore stamina, and after that you are tired again, and you continually want to consume caffeinated drinks so you can get the same energy and comfort.
Also see: 10 Negative Effects Of Caffeine On The Body
Since one of the bad effects of caffeine is reducing blood flow to the brain, it is the opposite of what you want your brain to do. You want the brain to work optimally, so of course what you really have to do is take a break, give the brain time to repair itself. If you continue to consume coffee or other drinks, your brain will be forced to work and think of itself as not tired. Once the caffeine is gone, then your body will be stressed, tired and other bad things.
Conclusion
So, the effect of caffeine on the brain is bad if consumed in excess. If you want to drink coffee, try to drink a cup in the morning. If you are experiencing extreme fatigue, the best way to restore your energy is by getting enough rest.