Caffeine is the most
popular drug on the globe. It is a powerful stimulant to the Central
Nervous System.
HOW DOES CAFFEINE WORK?
Caffeine affects the CNS causing more alertness and allowing for more
intense focus. The chemical structure of caffeine is very similar to
that of adenine (a component of ATP, DNA, and cyclic AMP). Only the
substituents are different. This helps explain caffeine's stimulating
effects. It is really close to being an energy metabolite in and of
itself! Because of the structural similarities, caffeine can slip right
into adenosine receptors, keeping cyclic AMP active rather than it being
broken down. When cyclic AMP breaks down, the body's energy supply
decreases. Because caffeine fools the body into using enzymes to break
it down instead, the cyclic AMP supply remains higher for longer. I bet
you always wanted to know that.
CAN CAFFEINE BE USED AS A DIURETIC?
Caffeine can be used (temporarily) as a mild diuretic.
Mild
diuretic: 100 - 200 mg, every 3 - 4 hours, as needed, not to
exceed 800 mg every 24 hours