Caffeine, also known and a pep pill is a psychoactive drug. It is a white, crystalline powder solution, found in many sources, such as; seeds of Coffea arabica (coffee), leaves of Thea sinensis (Tea), Seeds of Theobroma cacao (cocoa, chocolate), leaves of ilex paraguariensis (yerba mate), and Kola nuts of cola acuminata (cola drinks). Some combinations include; ASA and/or codeine (cold and cough medications), ergotamine (cafergot), PPA and ephedrine (look-alike amphetamine), theophylline or dextrose (stimulants). Caffeine is a legal drug usually ingested as coffee, tea, cola, soft drink beverage, tablet/capsule medication, or chocolate product. It can also be injected in a sodium benzoate solution. Other forms of caffeine may be found in; migraine and other headache treatments (cafergot, Fiorinal, Fioricet), Pain relievers (Anacin, Vanquish, Excedrin, Midol, Darvon, Synalgos-DC, DGA), Muscle relaxant (Norgesic Forte), Cold/allergy treatment (Coryban-D), diuretic (Aqua-Ban), Pep pill (No Doz, Vivarin).
Slightly elevate mood. Alertness. Sensitivity of touch, smell, sight, and hearing, nervousness. Irritability, insomnia, tremors, depression.
Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant. It also constricts cerebral blood vessels, increases blood flow in the body, stimulates the heart, increases basal metabolic rate, limits glucose metabolism, relaxes some smooth muscles, and increases urine flow.
Caffeine can also shorten sleep time, reduce depth of sleep, increase early dream state sleep. Coffee drinking combined with tobacco smoking intensifies elevate blood pressure effect. Caffeine is a substitute for amphetamine street drugs.
Caffeine can cause rapid, irregular heart beat, increase blood pressure, high blood sugar levels, urine acid, tremors, convulsions, headache, effects of "caffeinism" (ringing in the ears, extreme sensitivity to pain or touch), sleep disorders, possible cancer causing effects, withdrawal effects.
An overdose of caffeine can cause heart and breathing problems and death from convulsions. Lower doses can be fatal for children.
Unborn children may be affected by caffeine passed through placental barrier.