Caffeine and the Brain - Term Paper Example

Generally CNS stimulants are addictive. The drugs that fall under this category include nicotine, methamphetamine and caffeine. Dextroamphetamine and Methylphenidate are prescribed medications. They are used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD). They are also used to treat narcolepsy. Overdose of these drugs can cause hallucinations, fast breathing, weakness in the muscles, aggressive behavior, coma, among other effects. If these drugs are taken in large doses or over a long period of time the user may become addicted to them.

Many over the counter pills used for treating headaches have caffeine as their main ingredient. Pills that also help the user to stay awake for a considerable long period of time also list caffeine as a major ingredient. Other common uses include diet pills and medication for the common cold. The concentration of caffeine in these common medications is less specific than those of prescribed drugs. Caffeine produces similar symptoms like those caused by prescribed stimulants. Even a small dose can affect the brain and nervous system.

It also acts on the heart, bladder and muscular movements. Ingesting small doses, however, does not result in problems. Persons who take coffee everyday take a longer time to get a certain effect when compared with non drinkers or occasional users. Larger doses can result in nervousness, palpitation, nausea, insomnia and headache. There are other adverse effects associated with larger doses. Persons using the drug for the first time and ingesting large doses may end up having caffeine jitters, convulsions and even tachycardia.

Taking extra large doses of the drug can be fatal. Taking more than 5,000 mg at any one time or at short intervals will be fatal. Studies have shown that a daily dosage of up to 400 mg per day is unlikely to cause any adverse effects (Nawrot et al.), except for women who are considering pregnancy as well as children. The adverse effects high