Caffeine’s medical use for treating Parkinson’s disease is a subject of much debate. However, in my opinion, caffeine cannot help without causing harm. In my book “The Truth about Caffeine” I explain that excessive caffeine ingestion depletes the dopamine somatic cell. While you may ingest caffeine at a reasonable level, as you become more dependent on it, your demand will increase. As with any drug, the body quickly discovers how to render caffeine’s effects void, demanding larger quantities to feel any further stimulation. Several risks, along with death can accompany large dosages of caffeine.
Most caffeine consumers actively seek the boost of dopamine, for their brains to be stimulated, in order to feel more motivated, intense sensations and raised mental acuity. Caffeine is one of the most sought after brain stimulates, that many people take to secrete a sudden burst of dopamine, just like other brain stimulants. Dopamine is a neuro-transmitter, the brain’ chemical messenger which is responsible for energy level, vigilance, alertness, reaction time, spontaneity, etc. Yet, this neuro-transmitter is responsible for addiction to stimulates as well.
Heavy caffeine ingestion not only reduced the amount of dopamine, but also dopamine creating brain cells. You then feel weary and tried. Yet, more caffeine is consumed returning the rush of energy. This is a cycle of constant depletion of dopamine somatic cell.
Dopamine declines with age, however caffeine and other stimulants accelerate the dopamine decline and speed up the process of the brain aging. A large reduction of dopamine somatic cell is termed Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s disease suffers can benefit with dopamine flow stimulated by caffeine. Yet, before the disease’s symptoms are noticeable, 70 to 80 percent of the dopamine somatic cell are forever lost.
Caffeine leads to the development of other health problems. While caffeine accelerate the production of stress hormones, the adrenal glands become exhausted. Right into the bloodstream goes the stress hormones adrenalin and cortisol, when the adrenal gland receives the message from our pituitary gland, in our brain, that is all started from a single cup of a caffeinated drink.
We feel a surge of blood as stress hormones are send out, typically while in an extreme situation. The quick “pick-me-up” from caffeine actually comes from a stress hormone. The stress hormones are send out as part of our defence system, activated by caffeine. But, eventually, this defence mechanism weakens.
The glands get completely expended to a point where they are unable to secrete enough hormones, because caffeine continuously sends its artificial adrenalin. Seeking that familiar energy burst, caffeine addicts increase their ingestion, putting more stress on the glands that are struggling to adapt with their demands. Consequences will occur, as this cycle continues.
Gradually, adrenal depletion occurs for caffeine consumers. Excess production by the stress hormones, become toxic, later changing the blood composition, leading to destructive alterations in the endocrine, immune and nervous systems.
The logical conclusion could be any or this entire group; chronic fatigue, higher blood sugar and insulin levels, weight gain, raised blood pressure, irritation, tension, depression, sleeping problems, frequent virus outbreaks, ulcers, thinning of the skin, bone loss, thyroid problems, and other warning signs of health deterioration.
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. www.TruthaboutCaffeine.com
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