Hey everyone!
Last post of the week! I’ve been talking a lot about
caffeine and its effects on adenosine and dopamine levels. I am going to end
this week off by talking about another really important hormone, adrenaline.
Caffeine makes us more alert by prompting the release of
more dopamine and speeding up the electrical activity in the brain. This in
turn stimulates the adrenal gland to release adrenaline, or epinephrine, and
the result is a response similar to the “fight-or-flight” one.
You may have wondered about the mechanisms behind this
response. Why do our bodies react the way they do when put in a stressful
situation? Why does our heart rate increase? Why does our blood pressure rise?
All of this is controlled by one specific branch of the
nervous system, the sympathetic nervous system. When we are required to take
action really fast, this branch of the nervous system signals to the adrenal
gland to release adrenaline.
The result is an increase in heart rate and blood pressure.
The pupils dilate and veins constrict to allow for more blood flow to the
heart. The digestive system shuts down so more energy can be put to deal with
the stress. Smooth muscles relax
so more oxygen can flow into the lungs.
Therefore, when we drink something that is caffeinated, the
result is…MORE ADRENALINE! Adrenaline prepares the body for activity. Now, the
body is primed for action, definitely not for sleep!
P.S. I’ve attached a picture relating caffeine and all of
the neurotransmitters I have talked about.
Source: Judd, Sandra J. Sleep disorders sourcebook. Detroit, MI: Omnigraphics, 2010. Print.
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