My mini research project...
Caffeine: www.erowid.org/chemicals/ caffeine/caffeine_effects.shtml
What are the short term effects of caffeine on the body?
Caffeine increases heartbeat, respiration, basal metabolic rate, gastroenteric reflexes, and the production of stomach acid and urine; and it relaxes smooth muscles, notably the bronchial muscle. All of these changes vary considerably among people and may depend upon the individual's sensitivity to this drug, his/her metabolism, or upon whether the consumer habitually uses or rarely uses caffeine. How long caffeine's effects last is influenced by the person's hormonal status, whether he/she smokes or takes medications, or has a disease that impairs liver functioning.
Subjectively, people report that caffeine gives them a "lift." They feel less drowsy, less fatigued, more capable of rapid and sustained intellectual effort. They also report improved performance of some manual tasks such as driving. However, caffeine may restore only those abilities or feelings the person had before fatigue or boredom set in. Studies have also shown that caffeine decreases reaction time to both visual and auditory stimuli; it does not significantly alter numerical reasoning (arithmetic skills) or short-term memory; and it can diminish performance of manual tasks that involve delicate muscular coordination and accurate timing
more info from wikpeida: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caffeine
Effects of caffeine
Caffeine has a significant effect on spiders, which is reflected in their web construction.
Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant, and is used both recreationally and medically to restore mental alertness when unusual weakness or drowsiness occurs. It is important to note, however, that caffeine cannot replace sleep, and should be used only occasionally as an alertness aid.
Caffeine is sometimes administered in combination with medicines to increase their effectiveness, such as with ergotamine in the treatment of migraine and cluster headaches, or with certain pain relievers such as aspirin or acetaminophen. Caffeine may also be used to overcome the drowsiness caused by antihistamines. Breathing problems (apnea) in premature infants are sometimes treated with citrated caffeine, which is available only by prescription in many countries.
While relatively safe for humans, caffeine is considerably more toxic to some other animals such as dogs, horses and parrots due to a much poorer ability to metabolize this compound. Caffeine has a much more significant effect on spiders, for example, than most other drugs do.
Symptoms of caffeine intoxication include:
Restlessness, nervousness, excitement, insomnia, flushed face, diuresis, muscle twitching, rambling flow of thought and speech, paranoia, cardiac arrhythmia or tachycardia, and psychomotor agitation, gastrointestinal complaints, increased blood pressure, rapid pulse, vasoconstriction (tightening or constricting of superficial blood vessels) sometimes resulting in cold hands or fingers, increased amounts of fatty acids in the blood, and an increased production of gastric acid. In extreme cases mania, depression, lapses in judgment, disorientation, loss of social inhibition, delusions, hallucinations and psychosis may occur
Cocaine: http://www.friendsofnarconon.org/drug_education/drug_information/cocaine_%10_crack/symptoms_of_cocaine_use/1/
What Are the Short-Term Effects of Cocaine Use?
Cocaine's effects appear almost immediately after a single dose, and disappear within a few minutes or hours. Taken in small amounts (up to 100 mg), cocaine usually makes the user feel euphoric, energetic, talkative, and mentally alert, especially to the sensations of sight, sound, and touch. It can also temporarily decrease the need for food and sleep. Some users find that the drug helps them to perform simple physical and intellectual tasks more quickly, while others can experience the opposite effect.
Yes, there was a point to this for those of you who are wondering....
Short-Term Symptoms of Cocaine Use:
Increaded energy, Decreased appetite, Mental alertness, Increaed heart rate, Increaded blood pressure, Constricted blood pressure, increased temperature, Dilated pupils
The Long-Term Effects of Cocaine Use:
Cocaine is a powerfully addictive drug. Once having tried cocaine, an individual may have difficulty predicting or controlling the extent to which he or she will continue to use the drug. Cocaine's stimulant and addictive effects are thought to be primarily a result of its ability to inhibit the reabsorption of dopamine by nerve cells. Dopamine is released as part of the brain's reward system, and is either directly or indirectly involved in the addictive properties of every major drug of abuse.
Long-Term Symptoms of Cocaine Addiction:
Irritability, Mood disturbances, Restlessness, Paranoia, Auditory hallucinations
What are the medical complications of cocaine abuse?
There are enormous medical complications associated with cocaine use. Some of the most frequent complications are cardiovascular effects, including disturbances in heart rhythm and heart attacks; such respiratory effects as chest pain and respiratory failure; neurological effects, including strokes, seizure, and headaches; and gastrointestinal complications, including abdominal pain and nausea.
Cocaine use has been linked to many types of heart disease. Cocaine has been found to trigger chaotic heart rhythms, called ventricular fibrillation; accelerate heartbeat and breathing; and increase blood pressure and body temperature. Physical symptoms may include chest pain, nausea, blurred vision, fever, muscle spasms, convulsions and coma.
Medical Consequences of Cocaine Abuse
Cardiovascular Effects: Disturbances in heart, Rhythm heart attacks
Respiratory Effects: Chest pain, Respiratory failure
Neurological Effects: Strokes, Seizures, Headaches
Gastrointestinal Effects: Abdominal pain, Nausea
Energy Drinks
www.hc-sc.gc.ca/iyh-vsv/prod/energy-energie_e.html
The Issue
Excessive drinking of "energy drinks" or mixing them with alcohol can have serious health effects.
Background
There are many "energy drink" products currently sold in Canada. They are available in corner stores, gas stations and bars, usually displayed alongside soft drinks, juices and sports drinks.
"Energy drinks" are meant to supply mental and physical stimulation for a short period of time. They usually contain caffeine, taurine (an amino acid, one of the building blocks of protein) and glucuronolactone, a carbohydrate.
"Energy drinks" should not be confused with sports drinks such as Gatorade or Powerade, which re-hydrate the body. These sports drinks also provide sugars, which the body burns to create energy and replenish electrolytes. Electrolytes maintain salt and potassium balances in the body.
The problems with "energy drinks" arise when too many are consumed or when they are mixed with alcohol. For example, they have become popular at all-night dance parties, bars and clubs.
People drink them to keep up their energy during periods of intense physical activity or drink them after exercise to quench their thirst. But rather than re-hydrating their bodies, these drinks may actually lead to dehydration.
Because of the effects they have, some "energy drinks" may have to be regulated as natural health products under the Natural Health Product (NHP) Regulations, depending on their ingredients (such as caffeine and vitamins), and the claims they make. Under the regulations, natural health products have to undergo a review process for their quality and safety. They also have to display recommended conditions for use, as well as cautions.
Currently, only Red Bull Energy Drink is authorized for sale as a natural health product and bears a natural health product number (NPN). The safety of other "energy drinks" (including those listed above) have not yet been evaluated under the NHP Regulations.
Four reports of adverse reactions involving "energy drinks" similar to Red Bull Energy Drink, have been reported to Health Canada.
Health Risks of Energy Drinks
In the four reports of adverse reactions involving "energy drinks," symptoms included
Electrolyte disturbances, Nausea and vomiting, Heart irregularities.
These four incidents involved improper use of "energy drinks," such as drinking them with alcohol or in greater quantities than recommended.
Because of the nature of the adverse reaction reports, it is not possible to tell if the symptoms reported were due to the effect of combining the "energy drink" with alcohol, or due to alcohol itself.
Energy Drinks http://www.nutritionaustralia.org/Food_Facts/FAQ/caffeine_and_energy_drinks.asp
How much caffeine do energy drinks contain and how does this compare with other caffeine-containing beverages?
The typical energy drink provides about 80 mg of caffeine per can (although this varies between brands). This is about the same as the amount of caffeine provided by an average strength cup of coffee, and about twice that in a cup of tea. It is also about twice the level of caffeine found in a can of carbonated, cola-flavoured soft drink.
Summary
In summary, a can of high-caffeine energy drink generally provides about as much caffeine as a cup of coffee. When taken in small quantities (up to two or three cans per day) these drinks are as unlikely to be harmful to most adolescents and adults as drinking two or three cups of coffee.
There is convincing evidence that young children, caffeine-sensitive people, pregnant women and people with heart disease should avoid the high caffeine intakes that would result from consuming these drinks (or from consuming coffee).
Although caffeine does provide a boost to physical and mental performance, consuming many cans of these energy drinks shortly before physical activity is more likely to be detrimental than beneficial to athletes or other active people