Once a medical study was published on the application of caffeine for treating Parkinson's disease, it stirred up a lot of controversy. Yet, I look at caffeine as a two edged sword, a risky thing to use regardless of any contribution it might make. In my book "The Truth about Caffeine" I explain that extravagant caffeine intake depletes the dopamine neurons. An individual will continue to want bigger quantities of caffeine, no matter what amount he started consuming. Just like other substances, our body adapts itself to caffeine, negating its potency so that only heightened amounts still provide an effect. Yet, huge amounts of caffeine invites destruction and possible fatalities.



Motivation, alertness and even emotional peaks stem from dopamine being released by the highly desired caffeine, as it energizes the brain. Caffeine is one of the most sought after brain stimulates, that many people take to release a sudden burst of dopamine, just like other brain stimulants. Dopamine is the brain's neuro-transmitter that is in charged of messages effecting our reaction speed, mental alertness, spontaneity, watchfulness and energy capabilities. Moreover, dopamine is responsible for our stimulant addiction.

Large quantities of caffeine can quickly expend the levels of dopamine and diminish the production of dopamine creating brain cells. This results in feeling tried and out of energy. And, consume more caffeine in order to feel better. Dopamine levels fall repeatedly with this relentless cycle.

Dopamine declines with age, however caffeine and other stimulants accelerate the dopamine decline and speed up the process of the brain aging. Parkinson's disease is defined as a severe lessoning of dopamine neurons. Due to caffeine's stimulating effect on dopamine output, people with Parkinson's disease can benefit. Previous to seeing any signs of this diseases, 70 to 80 percent of dopamine neurons have vanished.

Various other health difficulties are caused by caffeine. The tension hormone output by the adrenal glands is dangerously accelerated by caffeine. A single caffeinated drink is plenty to start the brain, pituitary gland, sending messages to the adrenal gland to let out the tension hormones adrenalin and cortisol directly into our bloodstream.

We feel a surge of blood as tension hormones are send out, typically while in an extreme situation. The burst of energy we get from caffeine is actually a tension hormone rush. Caffeine is a powerful stimulant along with being an irritant that asks the body's defence system to respond by releasing our tension hormones. Later on, this defence response gets worn out.

As caffeine intake relentlessly sends its artificial adrenalin, the glands become spent and lose their capacity to release sufficient hormones. The caffeine consumer starts to increase larger amounts, adding additional tension on the glands, that can't keep up with the demands of the addiction. These events will not go on without consequences.

The adrenal gland of heavy caffeine consumers becomes emptied, as the time goes on. Negative changes happen in the correct operation of the immune, endocrine, and nervous system as daily overproduction of tension hormones, which too much are poisonous, gradually altering the blood makeup.

Any or all of these situations may eventually happen; chronic fatigue, higher levels of blood sugar and insulin, weight gain, heightened blood pressure, irritation, tension, depression, sleeping disorder, common viral infections, ulcers, thinning of the skin, bone loss, thyroid problems, and other dangerous signs of severe health difficulties.

Author Biography:

Marina Kushner is the founder of the Caffeine Awareness Alliance, a non-profit organization, which sponsors National Caffeine Awareness Month and is held annually in March across America. Ms. Kushner is an authority on caffeine and the detrimental effects it has on the body and mind. Her latest book called “The Truth About Caffeine" explores the historical and social impact of the drug throughout the ages while offering healthy alternatives to its usage. Blog at www.TruthAboutCaffeine.com