Science of Caffeine

We have good news for lovers of America’s two favorite mood-altering substances, caffeine and marijuana: Caffeine may enhance a pot smoker’s high.

The downside is that caffeine can also increase the chance of becoming addicted to cannabis.

The writer, Dan Charles, bought a 4-ounce bag of caffeine and said it had as much caffeine as 1,000 tall Starbucks lattes. He said this caffeine was created in coffee beans on a hillside in the tropics. “Slowly and quietly, driven by the energy of sunlight, it formed inside coffee beans hanging on thousands of trees, most likely in Brazil or Vietnam,” Charles wrote.

“Those beans were harvested, loaded on ships bound for the port of Houston, Texas, and ended up at a factory within sight of downtown Houston: Atlantic Coffee Solutions. It’s owned by one of the world’s largest coffee traders, ECOM Agroindustrial Corp., which is based in Switzerland.”

Sages and philosophers from various world traditions have counseled “Everything in moderation,” and, stated another way, “Nothing in excess.” These aphorisms apply to caffeine, too, because too much of this otherwise beneficial chemical can cause insomnia, nervousness, muscle tremors and stomach upset.

When people talk about having “a cup of coffee,” they don’t necessarily mean 8 ounces (236 milliliters). For example, many people go for the large size of coffee at McDonald’s restaurants and Starbucks, at 20 ounces (591 milliliters). Or at home, they may have a 12- to 16-ounce mug.

So when you read guides online that say an 8-ounce cup of drip java has about 163 mg of caffeine, you can more than double the amount of the stimulating chemical for a 20-ounce size. Drip coffee is the kind that drips through a filter to produce that cup or mug of the elixir that so many people say they can’t start their day without.

Is getting a caffeine fix really bad for pregnant women?

We’re going to try to answer this million-dollar question by putting together the various research and studies we’ve found on the topic and try to help you ladies come up with not just an answer, but a solution.

Considered as supplements, these are your caffeine fix taken in capsule form. They may have natural caffeine straight from the brewing process, while others may have synthetic or artificial caffeine.

Caffeine pills provide the same stimulating benefits as coffee and other caffeine beverages.

Note that caffeine pills aren’t exactly those caffeine powder you see in bulk from the retail stores. In fact, the US Food and Drug Administration or FDA considers caffeine powder as “potentially dangerous.” [1] Caffeine pills are generally safe, though there are some precautions to note, which we’ll talk about later.

You have it every day. You know exactly what to tell the barista the moment you step into the café.

Coffee - it’s second nature to you.

You may have heard a lot about what it does to your body – its surprising benefits and side effects alike.

But can you really tell which is truth from #fakenews?

Today we’re going to do some myth busting.

Here are 3 things about coffee – and what the real score is.

The holidays are upon us. It’s only October but with the rate this year has gotten to the tail-end, we’ll all be wearing our favorite sweatshirts (forcibly or otherwise) and devouring the holiday away in no time.

The forward-looking you will already be starting to watch that *extra holiday weight* before the holiday even starts.

But one step at a time, right? After all, there’s a few weeks left before the celebrations and holiday parties officially kick in.

If the java lover in you has ever been curious whether caffeine can help curb the appetite, now is the perfect time to find some answers.

The word on the street is that caffeine is one of the best appetite suppressants.

Spoiler alert: researches tell us the jury’s still out on this one. 

For us coffee junkies, coffee is a staple part of our day.

Without it, we’re essentially a zombie rolling out of bed.

One cup is all it takes to bring us to life. And there’s nothing better than an aromatic smell of freshly brewed coffee right?

Unfortunately, sometimes this aromatic smell comes with a not-so-pleasant odor.

Coffee breath is the bane of the otherwise epic experience of enjoying your daily cup of joe.

Mixing up caffeine and antibiotics – yay or nay?

If you’re under medication, specifically antibiotics, but is yearning to reach for that cup of joe, then this is a very important question.

According to a report by the New York Times, coffee can prevent some of the medications from working. [1] Depending on the drug you’re taking, coffee – or any other caffeine source – can either amplify its effects, increase the side effects, or block the absorption.

Some interactions are even considered lethal, while others may only need a consultation with a medical professional.

Adverse effects include reduced absorption [2, 3], heightened side effects, and prolonging the drug's stay in your system.

With the help of rx.com, we’ve listed down a few drugs that may have direct impact in your system when mixed with caffeine. [4] 

Achieving a healthy disposition and well-being can be as simple as keeping yourself hydrated.

Can’t put two and two together?

Studies show that poor hydration leads to poor health. 

So what does this mean for coffee-lovers and caffeine junkies?

Some people say that caffeine can make you dehydrated.

But is there any truth to this? Or is it just another #fakenews alert?