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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by cherylann on July 20, 2004, at 19:17:52
When my anxiety is under control, I can handle caffeine. In fact, it seems to release some chemical that makes me feel very "on top of the world". Does anyone have any info on this?
Posted by Larry Hoover on July 21, 2004, at 7:22:03
In reply to What chemical is released when you drink caffein?, posted by cherylann on July 20, 2004, at 19:17:52
> When my anxiety is under control, I can handle caffeine. In fact, it seems to release some chemical that makes me feel very "on top of the world". Does anyone have any info on this?
The neurological effects of caffeine, the alerting and cognitive enhancement, are primarily due to caffeine's stimulation of adenosine A1 receptors. Some people get the opposite effect from coffee. It makes them dopey. They tend towards adenosine A2 effects. There is also a rather broad increase in dopamine activity, which is generally associated with pleasurable feelings.
The peripheral effect is probably the one that gets you when you're anxious. Caffeine stimulates adrenaline (epinephrine) release. If you're already a little elevated on the adrenal stress hormone thingie, this will probably make your experience unpleasant.
Lar
Posted by SLS on July 21, 2004, at 15:05:47
In reply to Re: What chemical is released when you drink caffein? » cherylann, posted by Larry Hoover on July 21, 2004, at 7:22:03
> > When my anxiety is under control, I can handle caffeine. In fact, it seems to release some chemical that makes me feel very "on top of the world". Does anyone have any info on this?
>
> The neurological effects of caffeine, the alerting and cognitive enhancement, are primarily due to caffeine's stimulation of adenosine A1 receptors. Some people get the opposite effect from coffee. It makes them dopey. They tend towards adenosine A2 effects. There is also a rather broad increase in dopamine activity, which is generally associated with pleasurable feelings.
>
> The peripheral effect is probably the one that gets you when you're anxious. Caffeine stimulates adrenaline (epinephrine) release. If you're already a little elevated on the adrenal stress hormone thingie, this will probably make your experience unpleasant.Caffeine also acts to inhibit the cAMP PDE enzyme, which, like adenosine receptor blockade, leads to an increase in cAMP and the excitability of the neuron. It's hard to believe that things in the cell happen so quickly, though, to become so stimulated so fast after drinking one cup of coffee.
- Scott
Posted by Larry Hoover on July 21, 2004, at 15:33:44
In reply to Re: What chemical is released when you drink caffein?, posted by SLS on July 21, 2004, at 15:05:47
> Caffeine also acts to inhibit the cAMP PDE enzyme, which, like adenosine receptor blockade, leads to an increase in cAMP and the excitability of the neuron. It's hard to believe that things in the cell happen so quickly, though, to become so stimulated so fast after drinking one cup of coffee.
>
>
> - ScottDude! cAMP PDE! A seven-letter acronym! World's record! Yay!
Posted by Questionmark on July 22, 2004, at 2:51:32
In reply to Re: What chemical is released when you drink caffein? » cherylann, posted by Larry Hoover on July 21, 2004, at 7:22:03
> The neurological effects of caffeine, the alerting and cognitive enhancement, are primarily due to caffeine's stimulation of adenosine A1 receptors. Some people get the opposite effect from coffee. It makes them dopey. They tend towards adenosine A2 effects. There is also a rather broad increase in dopamine activity, which is generally associated with pleasurable feelings.
Larry, just wanted to point out that caffeine is an antagonist of adenosine receptors (and mostly, if not entirely, the A[2a] receptors, or A[2] receptors at least-- i'm pretty sure) and does not stimulate them.
For others wondering, this is a significant factor in caffeine's stimulatory effects because adenosine is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, therefore inhibiting the inhibition (as caffeine does) results in stimulation-- or enhanced release of the more "stimulatory" neurotransmitters, such as NE and dopamine.
Posted by Larry Hoover on July 22, 2004, at 6:20:15
In reply to Caffeine (tiny correction) » Larry Hoover, posted by Questionmark on July 22, 2004, at 2:51:32
> > The neurological effects of caffeine, the alerting and cognitive enhancement, are primarily due to caffeine's stimulation of adenosine A1 receptors. Some people get the opposite effect from coffee. It makes them dopey. They tend towards adenosine A2 effects. There is also a rather broad increase in dopamine activity, which is generally associated with pleasurable feelings.
> Larry, just wanted to point out that caffeine is an antagonist of adenosine receptors (and mostly, if not entirely, the A[2a] receptors, or A[2] receptors at least-- i'm pretty sure) and does not stimulate them.
Yes, you are quite correct. My brain is apparently not liking Zoloft very much, or at least, I'm not liking what Zoloft is doing to my brain. I read affinity, but thought agonism. My apologies.
> For others wondering, this is a significant factor in caffeine's stimulatory effects because adenosine is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, therefore inhibiting the inhibition (as caffeine does) results in stimulation-- or enhanced release of the more "stimulatory" neurotransmitters, such as NE and dopamine.
Thank you. One learns much better from one's mistakes.
Lar
Posted by cherylann on July 22, 2004, at 11:10:42
In reply to What chemical is released when you drink caffein?, posted by cherylann on July 20, 2004, at 19:17:52
If the remeron that I'm now taking again ends up not working, which appears to be the case, I might have some hope in l-taurine, or one of those alternatives.
Thanks!
cherylann
Posted by Questionmark on July 30, 2004, at 19:27:24
In reply to Re: Caffeine (tiny correction) » Questionmark, posted by Larry Hoover on July 22, 2004, at 6:20:15
This is the end of the thread.
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