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Is Caffeine Really Harmful?


The first thing that one must understand about caffeine is that it is, in fact, a drug, much like amphetamines, methamphetamines, and other stimulants. The difference between caffeine and these other "hard-core" drugs is that caffeine has much less of a stimulatory affect than illegal drugs. Caffeine has also been legalized, while other stimulants have not.
The emotional stimulus you felt upon ingesting caffeine is due in large part to the chemical reactions which occurred in your body upon consuming caffeine. Caffeine can inhibit neuron transmission in the brain, often blocking the signals which usually control impulses. This leads to a feeling of happiness, as there is no inhibition. At the same time, caffeine supports dopamine production, which increases happiness as well. These are temporary fixes due only to a chemical reaction which is basically "telling" your body to be happy, rather than you actually being happy.
More energy is, of course, a result of your using a stimulant. If you were to use an illegal stimulant such as methamphetamines, you would get the same energy boost. This energy boost can last anywhere from a few minutes to many hours, but will inevitably be followed by a pretty hard crash. It would be healthier to get this energy boost from a healthier substance such as green tea, which also has antioxidants. The energy boost will not be as extreme, but it will be enough to be noticeable and affect your performance positively.
Clearer focus: another result of using a stimulant. In fact, athletes have used caffeine to increase performance for hours, as have those who have long work days. Caffeine can work in the brain to sharpen focus by dilating the pupils, as well as other biological functions. Caffeine evokes a "fight or flight" response in those who ingest it. With this "fight or flight" response, you will get several affects such as this clearer focus, tense muscles (ready to go!), and increased respiration and blood pressure.
Now for the ill effects, which very much tie into the positive effects. Because caffeine has this "fight or flight" response, blood pressure is raised. And because caffeine can stay in your system for up to 12 hours, your heart is under more pressure to perform during these hours. This can lead to your heart wearing out long before its time, and to heart disease. It does impair neuron transmission as well, which normally isn't something that people want. Because the neurons aren't "talking" to each other the way they should, your body doesn't function the way it should. Increased performance will occur for a short term, but the stress this puts on your body is generally not regarded as healthy. In addition, ill effects such as insomnia, restlessness, jittery feelings, and excess urination (leading to dehydration) can occur. Caffeine use can also be addicting, leading to extreme ill effects if use is discontinued after a time of consuming it regularly.
As far as you taking supplements, if you ingest these with caffeine, the caffeine will speed up your system and not allow the body to absorb (and therefore use) the supplements.
If you continue to use caffeine, just make sure you are drinking enough water, and taking your supplements about an hour before you ingest caffeine.
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