What is caffeine?

Caffeine, nicotine and alcohol have been seen as having a greater effect on human civilization than all other nonmedical psychoactive substances combined.

Caffeine stands out among these three drugs because of its ubiquitous use around the world and because it is a ‘cradle to grave drug’.

In fact, caffeine is woven so intricately into social customs and daily rituals that it is often not perceived as a drug.

Moreover, common foods and other products often contain significant amounts of caffeine, although they may not be labeled as such.

Originally regarded as an oddity then as cure for all sorts of ailments, it soon became popular as a beverage.

As a mild central nervous stimulant, caffeine is commonly taken as an energy and alertness enhancer.

Caffeine is also used to enhance athletic performance because of its ergogenic effects.

In modern medicine caffeine is used as an adjuvant to the analgesic actions of aspirin and paracetamol.

Caffeine was found to have a 40% adjuvant effect compared to the of aspirin for the treatment of throat pain due to tonsillopharyngitis.

Caffeine occurs naturally in a variety of plant based products including coffee, tea, cocoa, kola nuts, guarana and mate.

Caffeine is added to cola and non-cola soft drinks, as well as o other common food item, including gum, mints, water and energy drinks.
What is caffeine?