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Discuss “How Things Work: Caffeine”

How is it that Red Bull gives you wings? And even though coffee can give us bad breath and yellow teeth, it seems to be the solution to all our late nights. According to statistics on MedicineNet.com, up to 90 percent of Americans consume caffeine each day, in the form of coffee, soda, or tea. So, how does caffeine work?

First, let?s discuss how we fall asleep in the first place. The brain creates a sleep-inducing factor called adenosine. During the day, adenosine accumulates in the brain. It binds to adenosine receptors and causes nerve cell activity to slow down, and blood vessels to dilate, which gets more oxygen to the brain. In this way, adenosine causes fatigue, drowsiness, and sleep.

When caffeine enters the system, it alters the chemical...

Comments

Comment 1. Wormy
Aug 04, 2008 at 10:17 AM

caffeine doesn't block ADH production, it blocks the receptors in the kidneys, thus preventing water reabsorption. If it blocked production, then ADH infusions would reverse the effect.

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