• Question: Why does caffeine cause an addiction?

    Asked by PurpleSquirtles to Craig on 15 Jun 2015. This question was also asked by nsc2001.
    • Photo: Craig Doig

      Craig Doig answered on 15 Jun 2015:

      hello again !

      The body gets used to the caffeine and starts to rely on it so it can work properly. Without it the body has to remember how it used to function without it. This takes a little while but does happen.

      Caffeine is really not very dangerous and actually can be pretty good for you. In moderation of course.

Comments

  • Photo: Laura

    Laura commented on :

    Hi there,

    I agree with Craig – everything in moderation.

    I know a few people who have a routine of having a coffee at work first thing in the morning. The caffeine reaches the brain quite quickly and acts on the central nervous system, making them feel more alert, focused and awake…..exactly how you want to feel at the start of the working day. When they get used to that feeling then try not to have a coffee one morning, they might feel tired so automatically go for a coffee.

    • Photo: Laura

      Laura commented on :

      Hmmm, replying to my own comment but…..the strangest thing, my colleague was just talking about coffee and an article he read last month which was quite interesting.

      So, we have cortisol in our body which is a natural stress hormone related to how alert we are. Cortisol is released at certains times of the day. One time it is realeased is just after waking up – our body’s way of giving us that kick-start we need in the morning. Researchers found that drinking coffee at the same time makes cortisol less effective and we get used to the caffeine instead, and need more and more to get that “awake” feeling.