Caffeine

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rxnfiend

rxnfiend

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Does anyone else have a serious problem studying without their caffeine? It gets especially bad during finals... I wonder how bad it is for you to consume long term? 😳
 
I wouldn't sweat it, unless you find yourselves drinking progressively more to get the same high.
 
i blame my stunted growth and hairy chest on caffeine consumption...i've actually resorted to IV coffee abuse too.
 
I drink coffee with my butt so I can absorb the caffeine faster. Is that a problem?
 
So many people wasting their money on coffee for the caffiene. It doesn't make any sense! The cost of four cups of coffee (~100 mg of caffiene/cup) is enough to buy you 60 200mg pills. That's 12 grams of caffiene!

NoDoz.jpg
 
Chops369 said:
I drink coffee with my butt so I can absorb the caffeine faster. Is that a problem?
Click to expand...

I don't think so. I've been bathing in pure espresso since freshmen year of high school and I'm still above average height (6'2"). Haven't gone crazy...yet.
 
Chops369 said:
I drink coffee with my butt so I can absorb the caffeine faster. Is that a problem?
Click to expand...

It's not a problem at all. According to my o-chem lab filtering coffee through a membrane is the first step in purifying caffeine. Also Bear Grillz says that enema is an excellent way to absorb fluids when your h2o source is suspect 😀
 
rxnfiend said:
Does anyone else have a serious problem studying without their caffeine? It gets especially bad during finals... I wonder how bad it is for you to consume long term? 😳
Click to expand...

Don't sweat it. In the grand scheme of things caffeine isn't too bad. I drink a triple size Rockstar (sugar free 😀) just about everyday. I quit for a month or 2 a couple times a year though.
 
rHinO1 said:
It's not a problem at all. According to my o-chem lab filtering coffee through a membrane is the first step in purifying caffeine. Also Bear Grillz says that enema is an excellent way to absorb fluids when your h2o source is suspect 😀
Click to expand...
Hahah I remember seeing that! Can't believe they showed it on TV! 😱

But yeah my excessive caffeine use has got to be bad for my health... Maybe I should just use a dialysis machine to inject caffeine straight into the bloodstream!
 
The reliance on caffeine caught up with me - I developed a sudden sensitivity to caffeine in the past year, after almost 8 years of drinking between 3 and 5 cups a day.

Now a cup of coffee or a soda gives me pretty bad palpitations.
 
rxnfiend said:
Hahah I remember seeing that! Can't believe they showed it on TV! 😱

But yeah my excessive caffeine use has got to be bad for my health... Maybe I should just use a dialysis machine to inject caffeine straight into the bloodstream!
Click to expand...

Yeah that episode was crazy :laugh:...

I took this awesome class called "drugs, addiction, and mental disorders" and one of the lectures was on caffeine. There are actually some interesting things regarding caffeine that I learned:

-Tolerance is built up rapidly and declines rapidly after abstinence.

-As dosage increases initially complex task performance increases, then at higher doses complex task performance declines. However, simple task performance continues to increase while complex task performance begins to decline. Simple task performance declines eventually as the dose is increased high enough.

-Caffeine toxicity can occur with high doses. Panic attack like symptoms are early stage of caffeine toxicity.

Edit: However a Rockstar at the right time of day can be amazing 🙂
 
My relationship with caffeine would probably fit the medical definition of "drug addiction".
 
rHinO1 said:
It's not a problem at all. According to my o-chem lab filtering coffee through a membrane is the first step in purifying caffeine. Also Bear Grillz says that enema is an excellent way to absorb fluids when your h2o source is suspect 😀
Click to expand...


nothing like a nice hot coffee...enema.
 
I used to take 5 hour energy drink for my caffeine... Dr. told me my heart was racing... I now drink 1-2 cups of coffee a day, upping my water intake really helped actually, i drink about 100 oz of water per day.
 
During the week before a test I will inevitably drink the equivalent of 6-8 cups of coffee a day, however I will often accomplish this feat in only two "cups". A nice 20 oz Dunkin Donuts coffee in the morning (2.5 cups) and then a Triple venti coffee from starbucks (3 shots of espresso +2.5 cups of coffee=5.5 cups for a grand total of an 8 cup equivalent).By the way, when I order that at Starbucks the person taking my order usually looks at me like I have 4 eyes, but I just explain that I'm a med student and need an IV drip to keep me going for 18hrs a day. For the most part the only problem I see with this is that I am extremely tolerant to caffeine now and a mere single cup in the morning is no longer enough to jolt me into my awaken state. On the other hand it is invaluable in the studying process(at least for me).
 
I drink too much diet soda. More worried about the aspartame than I am about caffeine.
 
christina30 said:
The reliance on caffeine caught up with me - I developed a sudden sensitivity to caffeine in the past year, after almost 8 years of drinking between 3 and 5 cups a day.

Now a cup of coffee or a soda gives me pretty bad palpitations.
Click to expand...

Wow. Same thing happens to me. I used to guzzle caffeine, now a cup gives me a crazy headache and palpitations. I have had to resort to 5 hour energy. I drink half and I am good.
 
I realized that I consume the LD50 for caffeine on a nightly basis. Is that a problem?
 
sizillyd said:
Wow. Same thing happens to me. I used to guzzle caffeine, now a cup gives me a crazy headache and palpitations. I have had to resort to 5 hour energy. I drink half and I am good.
Click to expand...
Read my post above about 5 hour energy drink.. i used to be all about it until my heart rate and blood pressure took a poop
 
ILikeDrugs said:
So many people wasting their money on coffee for the caffiene. It doesn't make any sense! The cost of four cups of coffee (~100 mg of caffiene/cup) is enough to buy you 60 200mg pills. That's 12 grams of caffiene!

NoDoz.jpg
Click to expand...

Being near a restroom is recommended with that sh**. Don't try it... Pssss, rather study with good ol' ice cold etoh and sing out sick mnemonics to pwn an exam. Moderation of course.
 
I've had a 3 year love affair with coffee and I am not sure if I have reached either dependency or addiction yet. I *can* function without caffeine, but it really is not a pretty sight in the mornings. :scared:
 
This is from the DSM-IV:

Substance dependence is defined as a maladaptive pattern of substance use leading to clinically significant
impairment or distress as manifested by one (or more) of the following, occurring within a 12-month period:
1. Recurrent substance use resulting in a failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school, or home (such
as repeated absences or poor work performance related to substance use; substance-related absences,
suspensions, or expulsions from school; or neglect of children or household).
2. Recurrent substance use in situations in which it is physically hazardous (such as driving an automobile or
operating a machine when impaired by substance use)
3. Recurrent substance-related legal problems (such as arrests for substance related disorderly conduct)
4. Continued substance use despite having persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused or
exacerbated by the effects of the substance (for example, arguments with spouse about consequences of
intoxication and physical fights).
Alternatively, the symptoms have never met the criteria for substance dependence for this class of substance.

DSM-IV Substance Dependence Criteria
Addiction (termed substance dependence by the American Psychiatric Association) is defined as a maladaptive
pattern of substance use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by three (or more) of
the following, occurring any time in the same 12-month period:
1. Tolerance, as defined by either of the following:
(a) A need for markedly increased amounts of the substance to achieve intoxication or the desired effect
or
(b) Markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of the substance.
2. Withdrawal, as manifested by either of the following:
(a) The characteristic withdrawal syndrome for the substance
or
(b) The same (or closely related) substance is taken to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms.
3. The substance is often taken in larger amounts or over a longer period than intended.
4. There is a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control substance use.
5. A great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to obtain the substance, use the substance, or recover
from its effects.
6. Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of substance use.
7. The substance use is continued despite knowledge of having a persistent physical or psychological problem
that is likely to have been caused or exacerbated by the substance (for example, current cocaine use
despite recognition of cocaine-induced depression or continued drinking despite recognition that an ulcer
was made worse by alcohol consumption).
 
There is a section in the DSM-IV about withdrawal from caffeine :laugh:

I quit caffeine as my New Year's Resolution. The first 3 weeks were horrible...headaches, lethargy, irritability. But, it passed and guess what? I feel SOOOO much better. I actually feel more focused than I did before and, ironically, I seem to have more energy. If you can get through it, I suggest weaning yourself off of it. I simultaneously quit drinking soda which has also been really good for me...less sugar, less heartburn (from the acidity), and one funny thing: I have a better sense of taste. :shrug:
 
rHinO1 said:
It's not a problem at all. According to my o-chem lab filtering coffee through a membrane is the first step in purifying caffeine.
Click to expand...

Yea, that is true. They dont call the filter, a filter for no reason. Thats why I use a french press to make coffee. You just drop the coffee in, add hot water, wait 2-3 minutes, and plunge a fine wire mesh to leave the coffee grains at the bottom. Coffee like this has so much more flavor, and you can even see the coffee bean's essential oils on the top, plus I think it may be stronger caffeine wise.
Which brings me to another point...yea nodoz is much more cheaper on a gram to gram of caffeine basis, but some people do enjoy a nice cup of coffee.
 
devilpup said:
Being near a restroom is recommended with that sh**. Don't try it... Pssss, rather study with good ol' ice cold etoh and sing out sick mnemonics to pwn an exam. Moderation of course.
Click to expand...

Haha I'm not sure if I would ever try studying while drinking, I get too happy and happiness and studying don't go well together for me
 
my favorite drug ------>
caffeine_2d.gif


It has been thirty years since I was in college but I recall many all nighters with much coffee. I am an addict.

Once I was working a twelve hour shift in CVICU and apparently a nurse who was assigned near the coffee pot had an easy assignment and she kept track of how much coffee I drank - eighteen cups of coffee in twelve hours! Not little 8 oz cups either but good sized cups. I prefer dark roast and I am in heaven drinking a vanilla latte. Our manager bought us a nice machine so we could make lattes, cappuccinos and such on the unit. Yeah right like I need more encouragement to drink more caffeine. 🙂
​
 
rxlea said:
There is a section in the DSM-IV about withdrawal from caffeine :laugh:

I quit caffeine as my New Year's Resolution. The first 3 weeks were horrible...headaches, lethargy, irritability. But, it passed and guess what? I feel SOOOO much better. I actually feel more focused than I did before and, ironically, I seem to have more energy. If you can get through it, I suggest weaning yourself off of it. I simultaneously quit drinking soda which has also been really good for me...less sugar, less heartburn (from the acidity), and one funny thing: I have a better sense of taste. :shrug:
Click to expand...

It's tough for me to get through the 10pm block without having been boosted on caffeine all day (soooo important a lot of the time for me to just get up to 11). also essential for the 1-3 pm time when i hardly get anything done unless im on my second cup of the day. I 😍 my coffee.

Hopefully you won't have to get on it for school...but damn, we all drink sooo much caffeine
 
love coffee but when I actually have to study I switch to loose leaf green tea. Too much caffeine is not good for understanding complex, comprehensive problems and putting the info in long-term memory. I can drink green tea all day long and stay pleasantly caffeinated but after 2-3 cups of coffee in an hour or so I'm not productive.
 
Stixman28 said:
It's tough for me to get through the 10pm block without having been boosted on caffeine all day (soooo important a lot of the time for me to just get up to 11). also essential for the 1-3 pm time when i hardly get anything done unless im on my second cup of the day. I 😍 my coffee.

Hopefully you won't have to get on it for school...but damn, we all drink sooo much caffeine
Click to expand...

I switched to decaf...and I don't drink any of that ****ty starbucks coffee
 
rxnfiend said:
Does anyone else have a serious problem studying without their caffeine? It gets especially bad during finals... I wonder how bad it is for you to consume long term? 😳
Click to expand...

Studies have shown that drinking too much coffee results in lower cognitive function. Find your optimal level. Cut back to tea and/or half-caf.
 
Check out http://caffeineweb.com/ . Links to a lot of journal articles discussing the misdiagnosis of caffeine-related psychiatric disorders as bipolar, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, etc.



Also, from http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/290113-overview:



The 4 caffeine-induced psychiatric disorders include caffeine intoxication, caffeine-induced anxiety disorder, caffeine-induced sleep disorder, and caffeine-related disorder not otherwise specified (NOS).

  • Diagnostic criteria for the 4 psychiatric disorders are described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR).4
  • DSM-IV-TR criteria for caffeine intoxication
    • Recent consumption of caffeine, usually in excess of 250 mg (more than 2-3 cups of brewed coffee)
    • Demonstration of 5 or more of the following signs during or shortly after caffeine use:
      • Restlessness
      • Nervousness
      • Excitement
      • Insomnia
      • Flushed face
      • Diuresis
      • Gastrointestinal disturbance
      • Muscle twitching
      • Rambling flow of thought and speech
      • Tachycardia or cardiac arrhythmia
      • Periods of inexhaustibility
      • Psychomotor agitation
    • The above symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
    • The symptoms are not due to a general medical condition and are not better accounted for by another mental disorder, such as an anxiety disorder.
  • DSM-IV-TR criteria for caffeine-induced anxiety disorder
    • Prominent anxiety predominates in the clinical picture.
    • There is evidence from the history, physical examination, or laboratory findings suggesting that the anxiety developed within 1 month of caffeine intoxication or withdrawal or that medications containing caffeine are etiologically related to the disturbance.
    • The disturbance is not better accounted for by an anxiety disorder that is not substance-induced.
    • The disturbance does not occur exclusively during the course of a delirium.
    • The disturbance causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
  • DSM-IV-TR criteria for caffeine-induced sleep disorder
    • A prominent disturbance in sleep occurs that is sufficiently severe to warrant independent clinical attention.
    • There is evidence from the history, physical examination, or laboratory findings that the sleep disturbance is the direct physiological consequence of caffeine consumption.
    • The disturbance is not better accounted for by another mental disorder.
    • The disturbance does not occur exclusively during the course of a delirium.
    • The disturbance does not meet the criteria for breathing-related sleep disorder or narcolepsy.
    • The sleep disturbance causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
  • DSM-IV-TR criteria for caffeine-related disorder NOS
    • This includes any caffeine disorder other than those previously listed.
    • Symptoms of caffeine withdrawal that are not currently an officially recognized diagnosis are present.
  • Caffeine withdrawal is listed in DSM-IV in the appendix, "Criteria Sets and Axes Provided for Further Study." Based on clinical experience, further research, and DSM-IV task force review, the diagnosis may become officially recognized. Symptoms may begin 6-12 hours after stopping or decreasing consumption, peak in 1-2 days, and persist for a week. The research criteria include the following:
    • Prolonged daily use of caffeine
    • Abrupt cessation of caffeine use or reduction in the amount of caffeine used, closely followed by headache and one or more symptoms that include marked fatigue or drowsiness, marked anxiety or depression, and nausea or vomiting.
    • The symptoms in the criteria listed above cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
    • The symptoms are not due to the direct physiologic effects of a general medical condition (eg, migraine, viral illness) and are not better accounted for by another mental disorder.
  • Apart from the caffeine-induced psychiatric disorders, clinicians must consider the influence of psychostimulants on other mental disorders.
    • Individuals who abuse other substances commonly consume large quantities of caffeine.
    • People with schizophrenia typically consume large amounts of caffeine.5
    • Caffeine may contribute to agitation, irritability, and, possibly, interfere with antipsychotic medications. On the other hand, caffeine can markedly elevate blood levels of antipsychotic medications, increasing the probability of adverse effects. The possible mechanism explaining this finding is that caffeine and antipsychotic medications both compete for metabolism at the hepatic P-450 isoenzyme system. Patients with bipolar disorder are at risk for an exacerbation of manic symptoms when they consume large amounts of caffeine. This is due both to its direct psychostimulant properties and secondary to increase renal excretion of lithium.6
    • Severe depression is correlated with high blood-caffeine levels.
    • People with panic disorders are at increased risk of precipitating an anxiety attack after caffeine use.7
  • Diagnosis of any caffeine-related disorder begins with clinical awareness.
    • Beverage caffeine is such a common component of social activity that its consideration as a psychostimulant often is neglected.
    • Too many clinical histories fail to record caffeine use.
  • A complete caffeine history includes doses associated with beverages and medications.
    • Several over-the-counter analgesic, sinus, and weight loss compounds contain caffeine.
    • There are preparations that exploit caffeine's alerting affect. They are marketed as stimulants or "stay-awake" preparations, and they can contain 200 mg of caffeine.
 
rxlea said:
There is a section in the DSM-IV about withdrawal from caffeine :laugh:

I quit caffeine as my New Year's Resolution. The first 3 weeks were horrible...headaches, lethargy, irritability. But, it passed and guess what? I feel SOOOO much better. I actually feel more focused than I did before and, ironically, I seem to have more energy. If you can get through it, I suggest weaning yourself off of it. I simultaneously quit drinking soda which has also been really good for me...less sugar, less heartburn (from the acidity), and one funny thing: I have a better sense of taste. :shrug:
Click to expand...

I may have to attempt to rid myself of my caffeine addiction over the summer. No way I would test it when I have to be at work and be productive every morning.
 
my old math teacher walked into class one day and was like what is with these faces? No caffeine today? When i was studying, I had 10 cups of coffee a day, no sleep, and no life!
 
devilpup said:
Being near a restroom is recommended with that sh**. Don't try it... Pssss, rather study with good ol' ice cold etoh and sing out sick mnemonics to pwn an exam. Moderation of course.
Click to expand...

You might want to check your diet. I don't get that. 😕
 
Caffeine is forbidden in professional video gaming but to my knowledge not in any other sports. (Is video gaming a sport?😛)

What gives?
 
ILikeDrugs said:
You might want to check your diet. I don't get that. 😕
Click to expand...

Actually, caffeine can work as a laxative when taken at high doses -- it increases stomach acid secretions which are eventually dumped into the small intestines --> more bowel contractions.

You learn something new every day.

Main_side_effects_of_Caffeine.png
 
Last edited:
devilpup said:
Actually, caffeine can work as a laxative when taken at high doses -- it increases stomach acids secretions which are eventually dumped into the small intestines --> more bowel contractions.

You learn something new every day.
Click to expand...

I thought most coffee drinkers were aware of the post-coffee bowel movement. Don't people plan for those sort of things? 😀
 
Caffeine has its benefits in occasional use. However, it can be addictive and lose its effects with consistent usage.
 
Necrobumping rarely has benefits, but is even more addicting than caffeine
 
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