How Coffee Affects our Central Nervous System

Caffeine is the most widely consumed central-nervous-system stimulant. In fact, according to the Washington Post (2015), two billion cups of coffee are drunk per day around the world. And the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported that 80% of adults in the U.S. consume some sort of caffeine on a daily basis. It’s mostly used to get that boost of energy or to keep you awake. But caffeine does so much more than that. It’s a central nervous system stimulant that affects our bodies in more ways than just our brain.

So how does caffeine work? Caffeine has three important mechanisms of action on the CNS that present a psychostimulant effect. These effects cause the effect that caffeine has on our cognitive function. Caffeine activates noradrenaline neurons and releases the local dopamine. Many of the effects relating to the alertness of caffeine seem to be related to the action of the methylxanthine on serotonin neurons.

So we now know that caffeine acts as a central systema nervosum stimulant, which creates alertness when it reaches the brain. Because of this effect, it is also used in medications to treat or manage headaches, migraines, and drowsiness.

Caffeine is addictive because of the effect on our brain and the alert feeling it provides that so many of us need. An excessive amount of caffeine may cause withdrawal symptoms. So what is considered a safe amount of coffee? According to the FDA, it’s safe to consume 400 mg of caffeine per day, which is about 4–5 cups of coffee. For pregnant women, it’s recommended to limit daily caffeine to 200 mg.

Like any drug, when you consume caffeine on a daily basis, your body develops a tolerance to its effects. This is why many people over time need more coffee to feel that same ‘boosting’ effect on our brain. Other factors, like age, weight, and health, also influence your tolerance to caffeine. When you notice your body needs more caffeine for the same effect, it may be time to decrease your consumption slowly, to not get dependent on it.

Studies found that people who drink coffee regularly, have a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s and dementia. These benefits come with high-octane coffee, not decaf coffee. Because of the benefits of coffee, it’s sometimes considered a health drink. But consuming too much can cause side effects. A common side effect of consuming an excessive amount of coffee is headaches, which are often linked to caffeine withdrawal if you don’t have access to coffee.