Posted by linkadge on December 19, 2006, at 9:47:28
In reply to Re: Caffeine for ADD, depression, low energy » mixed_state, posted by dessbee on December 18, 2006, at 14:53:37
I am an advocate of coffee *and* caffiene.
For starters, it is caffiene *not* coffee which protects against parkinsons. Caffiene is hightly neuroprotective in models of toxin induced dopaminergic neurodestruction, wherase other compounds are not.
Caffiene is also the substance which brightens mood. I read a study that each dose of caffiene molecule was responsable for an extension of growth cones, and posessed other neurotrophic capabilities.
In addition, studies have shown that you do not grow completely tollerant to caffiene. Ie, even long term users show increased activity of the frontal cortex, an area often hypometabolic in depression.
This would lead me to believe that caffiene plays an integral role in the antisuicide effect.There are ways to prevent caffiene induced adrenal exhaustion.
The addictivness of caffiene varies from person to person. It does not light up the exact same parts of the brain as drugs like nicotine, heroin, cocain etc. Animals to *not* self inject caffine like they do heroin, cocaine, meth, etc.
Coffee can really calm some people down too. If I have a cup of coffee, I take a deep breath out. I'd tend to think that it doesn't increase cortisol in those who find it relaxing.
All in all, I think its a safe substance that has been used for a very long time.
Linkadge
poster:linkadge
thread:712892
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20061218/msgs/714974.html