Caffeine:

The World’s Most

Popular Stimulant

Carl Angelo R. Obcemea

SHSSTEM 11-01
 Abstract

Caffeine is the number one stimulant and psychoactive drug in the world. The vast majority
of the population consumes caffeine, whether through cups of coffee to get us through the
day, chocolate to satisfy our sweet tooth or even dietary supplements. Nonetheless, we must
be aware of what we are putting into our bodies, especially when it comes to a potentially
addictive substance like caffeine. This presentation provides basic information about
caffeine, all of which comes from reputable sources and various studies, such as its chemical
properties, where it comes from, and how it works. In moderation, caffeine is harmless and
even beneficial, but excessive consumption can lead to many risks like insomnia, anxiety, and
self-poisoning. Through this presentation, our knowledge of this organic compound called
caffeine will increase, and we will be able to garner information about its effects and possible
implications on our health and also additional information that is useful for anyone to know.
Introduction to Caffeine
Caffeine Caffeine
compound
is
of
a nitrogenous
the alkaloid
organic
group,
substances that have marked physiological
effects.

Pure caffeine is a white, crystalline, bitter-tasting

compound. It is extracted by pressure cooking
beans and leaves with CO2 to produce the drug
C8H10N4O2 in powder form.

Caffeine is by far the world’s most popular stimulant

and psychoactive drug being consumed daily by 80%
of U.S adults (U.S Food and Drug Administration)

Friedlieb Ferdinand Runge Pierre-Jean Robiquet Hermann Emil Fiscer

-Despite thousands of years of human
-Named Caffeine from “cafe”, - First to determine caffeine
consumption, Friedlieb Ferdinand
Runge was the First to Isolate French for “coffee” (in 1821) structure (in 1897)
Caffeine From Coffee (in 1819)
Chemical Properties of Caffeine
Caffeine
Chemical Formula C8H10N4O2

v IUPAC Name 1, 3, 7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione

Melting Point 235 °C

Chemical
Structure Boiling Point 178 °C

v Density 1.23 g/cm³

Molar Mass 194.19 g/mol

Wire Frame Model

Solubility in Water Slightly Soluble

v
-React with strong oxidizing agents
Reactivity -Incompatible with Iodine, salts and tannins
-Very weak base
Ball and Stick Model
Natural Caffeine is Extracted from Plants
It’s produced by plants to protect them against insect attack. Caffeine affects the central nervous systems in insects like mosquitoes,
milkweed bugs and mealworms, disturbing their growth and behavior. What’s more important is that caffeine acts as a central
nervous system stimulant in humans, not just bugs.

Cacao Tree Cola Tree

(Theobroma Cacao)
-Used to make chocolate
-One cacao bean contains
0.1-0.7% caffeine
-Originated in the upper
Amazon basin region (Brazil,
Colombia, and Peru)
Image Credit: Jametlene
Reskp, Unsplash
-1.2% - 2.2% caffeine per gram
(Cola Acuminata) Guarana
-Common ingredient in Energy
-Produces fruits that contain drinks and dietary supplements.
the kola nut which contains -Twice as potent as a coffee bean
roughly 1.25-2.4% caffeine -Single Guarana bean contains 2-
8% caffeine
(Native to Tropical Africa)
(Native to the Amazon Basin)
Coffee Plant Image Credit: Wagner Campelo, Tea Image Credit: guentermanaus,
Shutterstock
(Coffea) (Camellia Sinensis) Shutterstock
-Single tea leaf is 3%
Caffeine by weight
(Found in Tropical
and Southern Africa (Native to East Asia)
and tropical Asia)
Image Credit:
petr sidorov,
Image Credit: Rodrigo
UnsplashFound
Flores, Unsplash
Caffeine in Daily Products
Recommended daily limit

16oz cup of Starbuck Coffee (Grande)

2oz shot of 5-hour Energy

Recommended daily limit for pregnant women

20oz bottle of Pepsi Max

8oz can of Monster Energy Drink

20oz bottle of Mountain Dew

8 oz can of Red Bull Energy Drink

20oz bottle of Coca Cola

8oz cup of black tea (brewed)

15g Nescafe Stick

150mgCaffeine/kg of
8oz cup of hot chocolate
your body is lethal

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450

Caffeine levels, mg
Mechanism of Action of Caffeine
Caffeine Adenosine
- Caffeine is a stimulant drug that is -Adenosine is an organic compound that acts
an adenosine receptor antagonist as a central nervous system depressant that
which means it blocks adenosine slows down brain activity usually causing
receptors and competitively inhibits drowsiness and promotes sleep.
the actions of adenosine. -Adenosine builds up during the day and is a
Caffeine | C8H10N4O2 Adenosine | C10H13N5O4 result of the brain working.

- Caffeine can wedge into the adenosine receptors due to very similar
molecular structures.

- Caffeine takes the place of adenosine, in the adenosine receptor, but it does
not trigger it therefore preventing the effects of adenosine.

Caffeine competes with adenosine for adenosine

receptors making it harder for adenosine to
activate those receptors and cause sleepiness.
This is how caffeine keeps you alert and awake.

Adenosine Receptors are mainly present

Neuron in the brain, heart, lungs, and spleen.
Effects of Caffeine on the Body
Central Nervous System
- Increases arousal and vigilance
- Increases dopamine levels, which makes you feel happier
- Reduces Fatigue and drowsiness
- Improves motor reaction time
- works the same parts of the brain as cocaine, amphetamines, and heroin.
It just has milder effects.
Risks
- May produce insomnia, anxiety, tremors and seizures (In higher doses)
- May interfere with sleep, decreasing total sleep time
- Jitters and Irritability

Cardiovascular effects
- Increases blood pressure (5-10mmHg)
- Decreases heart rate slightly
- Relaxes muscles through release of epinephrine.
- Increases renal excretion of sodium and water
Risks
- Self-poisoning
- Hypotension (low blood pressure)
- Tachycardia (heart rate over 100 beats per minute)
- Hypokalemia (Severe potassium deficiency)
- Hyperglycemia (High blood glucose)
Effects of Caffeine on the Body
Respiratory System
- Improve lung function for two to four hours
- Increase respiratory rate
- Increases minute ventilation
- Weak Bronchodilator (Medication the makes breathing easier)
Risks
- Higher risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Endocrine and Metabolic Effects

- Increase circulation of catecholamines which increase heart rate, blood
pressure, breathing rate, muscle strength, and mental alertness.
- Increases metabolism
- Increase insulin levels, reduce insulin sensitivity and, increase cortisol levels
Risks
- Increased serum cholesterol

Gastrointestinal Effects
- Help digest proteins found in ingested food through the stimulation of pepsin
- Stimulate production of gastrin which helps your body digest food and absorb
nutrients, such as amino acids and proteins.
Risks
- Contribute to acid reflux symptoms due to a decrease in lower esophageal
sphincter pressure
- May cause diarrhea due to caffeine accelerating digestion
- Gastric Distress
 References
Introduction to Caffeine
-Nikiforos Alygizakis, Katerina Galani, Nikolaos Thomaidis, University of Athens (2004) Caffeine, Retrieved September 14, 2022 from
https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Caffeine
-Medicurio (2017) Caffeine and Adenosine Receptors, Retrieved September 14, 2022 from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOfquPE1cnU
-J.W Daly, J Holmen, B.B Fredholm (1998) Is caffeine addictive? The most widely used psychoactive substance in the world affects
same parts of the brain as cocaine?, Retrieved September 14, 2022 from
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9889511/
-National Library of Medicine (1991) Coffee, Tea, Mate, Methylxanthines and Methylglyoxal, Retrieved September 14, 2022 from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507027/

Chemical Properties of Caffeine

-Nikiforos Alygizakis, Katerina Galani, Nikolaos Thomaidis, University of Athens (2004) Caffeine, Retrieved September 14, 2022 from
https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Caffeine#section=2D-Structure
-BYJU’S (n.d) Caffeine Chemical Formula, Retrieved September 14, 2022 from
https://byjus.com/caffeine-chemical-formula/

Natural Caffeine is Extracted from Plants

-Jordan DeCicco (2021) Where Does Caffeine Come From? Retrieved September 14, 2022 from
https://drinksupercoffee.com/blog/nutrition/where-does-caffeine-come-from/
 References
Caffeine in Daily Products
-Lauren K. Wolf (2013) Caffeine Jitters, Retrieved September 14, 2022 from
https://cen.acs.org/articles/91/i5/Caffeine-Jitters.html?fbclid=IwAR2BcA0lD9ioEPIJVrAcwMhHIelNZDFJqY85joeWuyRRq0Y9jMGrF7jR7Hk
-AsapScience (2014) Your Brain on Coffee, Retrieved September 14, 2022 from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YOwEqGykDM

Mechanism of Action of Caffeine

-Neal L. Benowitz, M.D. (1990) Clinical Pharmacology of Caffeine, Retrieved September 14, 2022 from
https://sci-hub.se/10.1146/annurev.me.41.020190.001425?fbclid=IwAR3dBoFcr71Teng0qQTi5HJDChvmsIujNK6lbOWjDjRclaRl6djawaxo73s
-Medicurio (2017) Caffeine and Adenosine Receptors, Retrieved September 14, 2022 from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOfquPE1cnU
-Joaquim A. Ribeiro, Ana M. Sebastião (2010) Caffeine and adenosine, Retrieved September 14, 2022 from
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20164566/
-Hanan Qasim (2022) How does Caffeine Keep us Awake?, Retrieved September 14, 2022 from
https://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-does-caffeine-keep-us-awake-hanan-qasim
-WebMD (n.d) Adenosine-Uses, Side Effects and more, Retrieved September 14, 2022 from
https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1067/adenosine
-Jiang-Fan Chen, Yijuang Chern (2014) Adenosine Receptors in Neurology and Psychiatry, Retrieved September 14, 2022 from
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/adenosine-a1-receptor
 References

Effects of Caffeine on the Body

-Neal L. Benowitz, M.D. (1990) Clinical Pharmacology of Caffeine, Retrieved September 14, 2022 from
https://sci-hub.se/10.1146/annurev.me.41.020190.001425?fbclid=IwAR3dBoFcr71Teng0qQTi5HJDChvmsIujNK6lbOWjDjRclaRl6djawaxo73s
-Stacy Lu (2015) Too much coffee?, Retrieved September 14, 2022 from
https://www.apa.org/gradpsych/2015/11/coffee
-Jena Hilliard (2019) Caffeine Addiction and Abuse, Retrieved September 14, 2022 from
https://www.addictioncenter.com/stimulants/caffeine/
-Todd MacKenzie, Richard Comi, Patrick Sluss, Ronit Keisari, Simone Manwar, Janice Kim, Robin Larson, John A. Baron (2007)
Metabolic and hormonal effects of caffeine: randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial, Retrieved September 14,
2022 from
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17998023/
-Tiago M. Alfaro, Rita A. Monteiro. Rodrigo A. Cunha, Carlos Robalo Cordeiro (2017) Chronic coffee consumption and respiratory
disease: A systematic review, Retrieved September 14, 2022 from
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28671769/