by Marie J Kelley

Created on: March 27, 2008   Last Updated: September 02, 2011

When you hear the phrase "addictive stimulant" what do you think of? Like most of us, you probably think of cocaine and meth. Two illegal drugs that are hard on the body, heart, and mind. You probably don't think about the caffeine in coffee being included in this category, but it is. Caffeine is the most widely consumed additive stimulant in the states. Found in coffee, tea, soft drinks, candies and even soap it's readily available to anyone of any age that wants it.

So what exactly is caffeine? Caffeine is a chemical compound that is found in the leaves, berries and beans of plants. When still in plant form it acts as a natural pesticide which wards off and sometimes kills the insect trying to feed off of the plant. In humans, caffeine acts as a stimulant to their central nervous systems and combats drowsiness, and increases one's energy temporarily.

While that sounds great for us college students who may need to spend a night or two cramming for a midterm, the caffeine in coffee is in fact a highly addictive drug which can cause damage to your body with long term use or over usage. Studies have shown that too much caffeine can cause increased heart rate, irregular heart beat and hypertension. All symptoms that are parallel to heart disease and precursors to heart attacks. Caffeine may also cause the body to absorb less calcium and vitamins which in the long run can cause osteoporosis. Long term caffeine use can also cause acid reflux disease, otherwise known as GERD, which can cause unstoppable reflux. GERD is a known cancer causing disease which can affect the stomach and esophagus. Ask any oncologist what legal drug they dislike the most and 90% of them will say caffeine and tell you to stop drinking that morning coffee.

Besides physical ailments that caffeine can cause and contribute to, it also affects all of us mentally. How many times have you had a Red Bull only to experience feelings of anxiety and racing thoughts thirty minutes later? Caffeine not only causes anxiety attacks in those who are sensitive to the drug or have had too much, but it can also cause racing thoughts, jitters, and sleep disorders.

Drinking coffee on an every day basis is incredibly risky for your long term health. The caffeine in a cup of coffee can be a trigger for very serious physical and mental diseases all of which can kill you. The next time you pick up that latte from your favorite coffee shop ask yourself why is it that doctors around the world feel that caffeine is dangerous enough to suggest pregnant mothers stop using anything with caffeine in it?

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