Monday, August 26, 2013

Caffeine

Love, hate this molecule. Chemistry requires H2O, O2, PbCO3, pencil lead, and C8H10N4O2, caffeine, to be done. Adenosine C5N5O5-C5H9O4 makes the body tired, or it slows nerve cells, and looks the same as caffeine. As a result nerve cells accept caffeine satisfying the themselves so they prevent the Adenosine from slowing down the nerves. Because of its organic molecular structure it is able to outsmart the evolved functionality of nerve cells and the coolest part about that is nature gives it to us.
These are $15 at the coffee shop on Tate! 

Some more funky things about caffeine: we pay more for it per volume than gas, it is a powdery white alkaloid in pure form, Yerba Matte, Guarana, and Kola Nut are other (than the obvious two) natural sources of caffeine. Scientists say "1,3,7 trimethlyx(z)anthine" when they talk about it, it has a half life of 6 hours, it has no physiologically addictive qualities (no brain reward circuits), recommended dose is < 300 mg/day, and overdosing would require taking it by the gram/day. 

help: 

http://www.webmd.com/balance/caffeine-myths-and-facts
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/25/caffeine-facts_n_3814825.html
Youtube: Caffeine! by the scishow
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6 comments:

  1. AnonymousAugust 28, 2013 at 11:11 PM

    Caffine is one of the most common organic molecule we find in our everyday lives since we mainly drink it! It is one of the most addicting thing to consume that isn't harmful to our bodies the way drugs can be, but because it can be addicting for some people, it can be annoying. It is pretty surprising to know that we pay more for caffine than gas, but then again caffine can be found in certain tea, coffee, chocolate, etc.

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  2. UnknownAugust 29, 2013 at 12:55 PM

    I definitely agree with your first sentence "love, hate this molecule". It's an amazing molecule due to the fact that it outsmarts and tricks nerve cells, which is a pretty awesome feat. Plus, it's awesome since it's such a "pick me up"!

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  3. AnonymousAugust 29, 2013 at 1:52 PM

    Caffeine is confusing everyone, even scientists. Several months ago a survey was done and it was reported on TV that caffeine was good for you. A few months later in was back in the news , and was not good for you!! LOL

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  4. BCapleAugust 30, 2013 at 5:30 PM

    Nice Coffeology picture. I had their coffee the other day - pretty good! Caffeine is necessary for my day, but I can definitely see the danger of it, as my adrenal glands get destroyed from daily abuse. Thanks for the write up on it. It's interesting to see the chemistry side of it and think about why it does what it does.

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  5. AnonymousAugust 31, 2013 at 12:06 PM

    Tolerance develops quickly to some (but not all) effects of caffeine, especially among heavy coffee and energy drink consumers.... is there any explanation to this in chemistry ?

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  6. AnonymousAugust 31, 2013 at 4:02 PM

    As for me, caffeine has pretty much no effect whatsoever. I don't know how long it takes to build a tolerance for it, but I'v been drinking it (soda/coffee) for as long as I remember. Well my great grandpa drank soda on a regular basis and he just passed away at 99 in his sleep last year so I figure I'll be fine. And I totally agree with Yolanda in that the studies for it are constantly changing. I think it only REALLY effects you if you stay away from it and are then decide to randomly take it haha.

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