Effects of Caffeine on Cognitive Functions Research (Essay Sample)

Effects of Caffeine on Cognitive Functions
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Effects of Caffeine on Cognitive Functions
Introduction
Caffeine is the utmost consumed psychoactive substance in the world, which is obtained from plants. It has a very long history of usage and is found in various common foods, beverages, and medicines. This paper discusses the effect of caffeine on cognitive functions and whether caffeine can be considered as an enhancer, or on the contrary, it can harm people's health.
Caffeine has several uses in our bodies more than it harms our bodies. Caffeine may reduce tiredness and increase psychological attentiveness because it stimulates the brain. This can make an individual to remain productive and alert all through. For instance, an athlete who consumes more caffeine may last longer and work harder than the one who does not consume. A research conducted among several athletes showed that 84% of those who consumed caffeine in the morning remained active all through while the 16% who did not consume became inactive and got tired faster at some point (Cappelletti, Daria, Sani & Aromatario, 2015). Therefore, caffeine can be seen to act as stimulant-enabling individuals remain active and alert in their daily activities. Without a doubt, caffeine is said to be addictive for many athletes because of these performance advantages. Consumption of caffeine increases heart rate thus opening the airways, which permits more oxygen in the blood. At low dosage, caffeine reduces anxiety while at high dosage it increases tension and nervousness.
Caffeine easily gets into the brain and affects brains cells in a positive way thus increasing mental focus and concentration. A student who regularly consumes caffeine before attending any class is seen to be attentive and focused. This may make a student perform well in school. Pregnant women are advised to limit their caffeine consumption level owing to concern that excessive caffeine may result in low birth weight. It is said that regular caffeine intake even at low levels increases the risk of sleep disorders and dehydration. Sleep quality and the duration that one sleep may affect hormones, which regulate sleep. Majority of the people who consume caffeine complains of sleeplessness. Caffeine can be addictive and people suffer from withdrawal symptoms such as a headache, sleeplessness, constipation, depression, lack of concentration, lethargy, muscle pain, cramping, and stiffness. It takes around 30 minutes for 99% of the caffeine to get absorbed by the body. It can last in the human body for 5-6 hours (Einöther, Giesbrecht, 2013). Caffeine could affect gastrointestinal tract due to increase overproduction of stomach acid induced by excessive consumption of caffeine. This effect may stimulate diarrhea leading to body dehydration.
The results of the present study indicate that consumption of caffeine ought to be taken in small quantity to reduce excessive effects (Cappelletti, Daria, Sani & Aromatario, 2015). Small quantity is important in our bodies as discussed in this paper thus it is good for consumption. Athletes temporary can use caffeine to sustain good performance du...