Crave Caffeine? It May Be in Your Genes

slimvictor

slimvictor

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DNA May Influence How Much Caffeine People Consume, Researchers Say
By Bill Hendrick
WebMD Health News Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD

April 7, 2011 -- DNA may play a large role in determining how much caffeine people consume in beverages such as coffee, tea, and soda and food such as chocolate, new research indicates.

Scientists from the Harvard School of Public Health, the National Cancer Institute, and other institutions say they have discovered two genetic variations that influence the metabolism of caffeine and are associated with how much caffeine people consume. People with particular variations of two specific genes are more likely to consume caffeine, and to drink more of it when they do, study leader Marilyn C. Cornelis, PhD, of the Harvard School of Public Health, tells WebMD.

Genes and Coffee

The genes are identified as CYP1A2, long known to play some role in caffeine metabolism, and another called AHR, which affects regulation of CYP1A2.

All people have both genes, but the study, involving more than 47,000 middle-aged Americans of European descent, finds that people with the highest-consumption variant for either gene consumed about 40 milligrams more caffeine than people with the lowest-consumption gene varieties. Forty milligrams is the equivalent of 1/3 cup of caffeinated coffee or one can of soda.

cont at
http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/news/20110407/crave-caffeine-it-may-be-in-your-genes
 
Personally, I have a love/hate relationship with caffeine, but I often crave it.
I get addicted easily, and it is hard to stop drinking it.
Neither of my parents is addicted to caffeine now, though my mother spent 2-3 decades drinking multiple cups of coffee each day.
 
its a crappy drug that affects your mind MUCH more than caffeine addicts are willing to admit.

probably responsible for a third of all valium prescriptions

cutting it out of my life has brought me a sense of peace and balance
 
I thought we proved long ago that caffeine is indeed NOT addictive. It's mostly placebo, check yo' studies!
 
Caffeine consumption has many well documented benefits such as lower incidence of dementia and increased memory, when taken in reasonable amounts, abusing anything leads to negative effects, we all should know as drug consumers that the only difference between poison and medicine is dose.

Besides when consuming traditional preparations of caffeine containing plants in reasonable amounts it seems pretty apparent that the phytochemicals (flavonoids, polyphenols, amino acids, etc.) are very good for health in a variety of ways. Id say drinking moderate amounts of caffeine through such preparations (not soda pop or pep pills!) is really quite a healthy decision to make for most people.

I do agree though that people often underestimate the power of caffeine, there are reasons its the worlds most consumed psychoactive drug. I dont know about physical addiction to caffeine, but it seems quite likely and i feel as though iv experienced this personally, and heard many anecdotal reports of course, but i cannot say for sure given the mildness of it.
 
^^ So maybe post some interesting links then?

I don't really understand, am I the only one who can get addicted to caffeine, or other people just underestimate it addictive potential due to daily consumption?
 
^ I really wouldn't know where to begin. a simple google scholar search of "tea" "yerba mate"/"coffee"/"caffiene" + health effects or benefits should turn up a ton of results. You really cant miss them. Even simple 'regular' google searches or looking at the articles sited in wiki pages is a easy way to find it.

However I will try to stop back into this thread and post up a few links when I have some extra free time!

also, just to clarify if you misunderstood me/i wasnt clear, i was not in anyway arguing that caffeine isnt powerful, it is, and i do feel it has potential for addiction. Only that the health benifits from consuming traditional preperations like tea/yerbamate/etc. outweigh the negatives of caffeine on health for most people and in moderation. look at the last couple lines of the post above yours allium- also i dig your SN/Avatar man, it always catches my eye
 
^^ Well, I don't really doubt positive effects of caffeine, I hearead that it is neuroprotective, and other good stuff about it. You are probably right about it, but this doesn't override addictiveness of caffeine.
I've just typed "caffeine health effects" in google, and followed the first link. It has some interesting info about withdrawal syndrome. I don't know if such symptoms can be called physical addiction, but they are quite nasty.

Looks like my caffeine intake is low or moderate(1-2 cans of coke and 1-2 cups of black tea daily, but I am quite sensitive to it). But at least it is a good thing. :)

Oh well, and thank you for the interest to my person, I am very flattered :)
 
MDPV destroyed my caffeine tolerance. One cup of medium strength coffee at 7PM will stop me sleeping till around 3AM.

Never used to be like that when younger. Still drink it now and then I just watch the times of day. I swear it is hard on my heart though. Very strange.
 
with anxiety, i have a hatred for caffeine and all stimulants.

i need some way to get myself un-tired to get to school and do my homework, though :/

i like the article... as usual, empirical evidence is blurring the lines between licit and illicit drugs. eventually we will wake up, if we don't fuck it up and throw away the science (imo a majority would love to see that happen...)
 
^ Have you ever tried exercising in the morning before you have to start your routine? I used to go for a jog at 5:30am every morning and it would energize me all day during school or work. I imagine that it would also be helpful for your anxiety as well. Man I wish I could still do that shit.
 
Hmmm never thought of yoga Slim, between that and the meditation from the other thread I guess that there is still a lot I can do to get that morning boost. Thanks for the tip! :)
 
i've been using the treadmill with a giant fan in front of me (lol) but A) it's sort of boring, B) running hurts, C) it's hard to make it a habit. it used to be a daily habit, then i went through opiate withdrawal.

now it's summer, and i just filled my old bikes tires with air. biking is fun, now i just need to find a way to wake up in time...

getting out of bed is as hard as getting out of the shower.
 
Ever use an elliptical Qwe? They are low impact and a great workout, much easier on the joints than a treadmill, plus they work your upper body as well, if running on the treadmill hurts try giving it a shot. Biking is awesome, I had a 21 speed Ironhorse before my injury, I musta put 4k miles on it in the short time I owned it man, biking is just the best.
 
yeah i'm starting biking. i'm just wondering how i can get myself to wake up and have it be a part of my morning routine.

without caffeine. (now we're back on topic lol)
 
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