Doctormigraine

View Original

Caffeine is a Drug 2023

The definition of a drug is “a medicine or other substance which has a physiological effect when ingested or otherwise introduced into the body.”

Considering the symptoms of using caffeine, then caffeine is a drug. It would be nice to know why this is so.

This is an article by Britt Talley Daniel MD, retired member of the American Academy of Neurology, Migraine textbook author, podcaster, YouTube video producer, and blogger.

Read my Mini Book on Migraine Here.

What’s not up, doc?

Caffeine is an addictive psychoactive drug which stimulates the sympathetic nervous system like adrenalin does.  As a general rule, caffeine in coffee is the most commonly used drug in the world.

Caffeine produces symptoms in humans of rapid heartbeat, increased ability to focus, increased physical ability, and insomnia.

Caffeine is a mildly effective drug for treating Migraine.

To learn more about treating Migraine, read my website article, “How to Treat Migraine Headaches,” at www.doctormigraine.com. Please click here to read.

Related questions.

Who says that caffeine is an addictive drug?

The DSM V, which is the current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Psychiatric Diagnosis includes in the list of addictive drugs—Caffeine, in amounts as small as 120 mg/day.

Can caffeine produce withdrawal symptoms?

Criteria for caffeine withdrawal:

Prolonged daily use of caffeine followed by:

abrupt cessation or reduction of total caffeine use

closely followed by headache and one or more of the following symptoms.

fatigue/drowsiness

anxiety and/or depression

nausea and/or vomiting

clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

What is caffeine intoxication?  The diagnostic criteria for caffeine intoxication are recent consumption of caffeine in excess of 250 mg a day and the development of five or more the following signs during, or shortly after caffeine use:

restlessness

nervousness

excitement

insomnia

flushed face

diuresis

gastrointestinal disturbance

muscle twitching

rambling flow of thought and speech

tachycardia or cardiac arrhythmia

periods of inexhaustibility, or psychomotor agitation.

Let’s party!

Approximate amounts of caffeine in various beverages:

Coffee, grande 16 oz Starbucks 550

Coffee, tall 12 oz Starbucks 375

Coffee, short 8 oz Starbucks 250

Redline RTD 250

NoDoz, max strength or Vivarin 200

Monster energy drink 16 oz 160

7-Eleven Big Gulp cola 64 oz 190

Coffee non-gourmet 8 oz 135

Excedrin 2 tabs 130

Coffee instant 8 oz 95

Jolt 711

Anacin 65

Cola 12 oz 35

Mt. Dew 55

Dr. Pepper 39

Pepsi 37

Tab 46

Cappuccino, 8 or 12 oz 35

Expresso Starbucks 1 oz 35

Tea, green or instant 8 oz 30

Chocolate dark, semisweet 1 oz 20

Coffee decaf Starbucks 8 or 12 oz 10

Coffee decaf non-gourmet 8 oz 5

Hot chocolate or cocoa 8 oz 5

Chocolate milk 1 oz 5

Liquid Speed (amount concealed within a proprietary formula)

Caffeinated water ?

John Pemberton invented Coca cola

What are the pharmacological effects of caffeine?  Pharmacologically, caffeine acts as a central nervous system stimulator, a point that is well made by the coffee ad on TV which calls it “the think drink.” The duration of the effect of the drug is 6-8 hours, but even one drink in the morning will interrupt sleep in some persons.

Caffeine also acts as a constrictor of smooth muscle, which is found in arteries, the bladder, and the colon. It is the arterial vasoconstrictive action which helps with mild Migraine (Excedrin, B.C. Powder, and Vivactin) and may lead to the rebound or medication overuse headache if one takes too much caffeine (greater than 120 mg 15 days a week) or to caffeine withdrawal symptoms if someone quickly stops their use of caffeine.

Coca Cola which has 35 mg of caffeine was marketed in the United States after the Civil War as an over the counter treatment for Migraine.

The smooth muscle effect also acts as a mild stimulant on the bladder, promoting urination and in the colon, a bowel movement.

Does caffeine help Migraine attacks?

Caffeine as found in coffee, tea, and pop drinks along with Excedrin, B.C. provides mild treatment for Migraine headache.

Really learn about “How Does Caffeine Affect Migraine” on my website at www.doctormigraine.com. Please click here to read.

Can caffeine cause chronic migraine or medication overuse headache?  The International Classification of Headache states using caffeine 15 days a month can cause daily headaches in some patients, called chronic migraine, due to medication overuse headache.

The American Migraine Society has stated that caffeine is the number 1 over the counter drug causing medication overuse headache.

What other medical problems can caffeine use aggravate?

GERD-gastroesophageal reflux disorder (heartburn)

Generalized anxiety disorder

Panic disorder

Insomnia

Epilepsy

Death (rarely)

Migraine/medication overuse headache

I urge all caffeine addicted patients, migraine patients, Panic Disorder patients, and patients with sleep disorders to taper off caffeine (which, as I said above, is a drug).

Read more about caffeine and “Medication Overuse Headache” by checking out my article on my website, www.doctormigraine.com. Please click here to read.

Want to learn about caffeine and panic disorder? Read my article, “Are Migraine and Panic Disorder Related?” Please click here to read.

Summary:

Caffeine is the most commonly used over the counter addictive drug. Too much of it can aggravate Migraine producing medication overuse syndrome and suddenly stopping it may cause caffeine withdrawal symptoms.

Check out my Big Book on Migraine Here.

This site is owned and operated by Internet School LLC, a limited liability company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, USA.  Internet School LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.  Although this site provides information about various medical conditions, the reader is directed to his own treating physician for medical treatment.

All the best.

Follow me at:  www.doctormigraine.com, Pinterest, Amazon books, Podbean, and YouTube.

Britt Talley Daniel MD