How Caffeine Affects Dopamine Levels In The Brain

Caffeine and dopamine both exhibit excitatory effects on the CNS (central nervous system). But what is the specific effect of increased caffeine consumption on dopamine levels?

Drinking coffee or other caffeinated beverages can stimulate the release of certain catecholamine neurotransmitters – like dopamine and adrenaline (epinephrine), for instance.

For a long time, health professionals have been suggesting that caffeine induces adverse effects on stress, anxiety, cravings for foods and sleep. There are also some health benefits associated with caffeine, such as short-term improvements in focus and mood.

While increasing caffeine intake may be healthy in some respects, it may also reduce long-term dopamine levels and decrease the sensitivity of dopamine receptors in the brain.

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What is Caffeine?

Scientifically, caffeine is classified as a purine methylxanthine alkaloid. It is a CNS stimulant, most often consumed in the form of coffee or tea.

Caffeine tastes bitter and is the most commonly used psychoactive drug in the world. It is estimated that roughly 90% of adults in North America consume caffeinated products every day.

Caffeine demonstrates multiple mechanisms of action. Most notably, it excites certain areas of the autonomic nervous system and inhibits the activities of adenosine.

This is how caffeine promotes improved alertness, energy levels and concentration. Caffeine also has other effects on the body, like enhancing physical performance, reducing sensitivity to pain, and promoting an increased metabolism for weight loss.

Caffeine can also act as a mood enhancer, improving feelings of subjective well-being with short-use. This has been connected to the effect is has on stimulating the release of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens.

Caffeine and Adenosine

Caffeine inhibits the effects of adenosine, which is a neuromodulator that is involved in preventing over-excitation of the nervous system.

Adenosine is a purine nucleoside which is found widely in nature. It serves various integral roles in humans. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is the primary fuel currency for cellular metabolism.

Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) is vital for efficient signal transduction. Adenosine is also a potent vasodilator; helping to increase blood flow to the body’s organs and tissues.

Adenosine is synthesized inside the brain and also used there for certain purposes. It binds to adenosine receptors and induces feelings of drowsiness by slowing down neuronal firing.

Adenosine opens blood vessels during sleep to accommodate enhanced healing and repair via upregulated delivery of oxygen and other blood nutrients.

Caffeine and Dopamine Levels

Natural dopamine is a neurotransmitter that regulates sleep, sex drive, emotional states, motivation, movement and experiencing pleasure and reward.

Dopamine is the brain chemical that is released when pleasure is perceived – such as pleasure registered from CNS stimulants like caffeine.

So what do adenosine, caffeine and dopamine have to do with one another? Because of similar molecular structuring, caffeine and adenosine can both bind to adenosine receptors in the brain.

When caffeine binds to adenosine receptors, it inhibits adenosine from also binding to these receptors. Caffeine essentially prevents adenosine from having its intended inhibitory effect on arousal levels.

The result is an increased level of stimulation and greater arousal in the CNS. As an indirect result, more dopamine is released which can improve mood and focus.

Caffeine also acts to slow down reabsorption of dopamine. Although not nearly as strongly, caffeine affects dopamine reuptake the same ways that cocaine and heroin do.

When caffeine is ingested, it creates a pleasure response by inhibiting the reuptake of dopamine which has the effect of increasing activity at dopamine receptors in the brain.

How Caffeine Depletes Dopamine

Consuming caffeine can also cause dopamine stores in neurons to become depleted, which may result in the low moods and energy crash experienced after the effects of this drug wear off.

Caffeine additionally causes blood vessels inside the brain to constrict. This happens because caffeine blocks adenosine’s vasodilatory effects.

When the pituitary gland senses this vasoconstriction and increased rate of neuronal firing, it tells the adrenal glands to manufacture adrenaline.

Adrenaline is the “fight or flight” chemical that kicks us into emergency mode. When adrenaline is released, it causes the following effects:

• Energy synthesis in the liver is upregulated;
• Blood flow to extremities is slowed down;
• Blood delivery to muscles increases;
• Digestion of foods slows down;
• Blood pressure increases;
• Respiration rate increases;
• Heart rate increases;
• Airways open up;

Caffeine induces these effects via stimulating the release of adrenaline. Dopamine is the direct precursor of adrenaline.

By requiring more dopamine to be used for conversion to adrenaline, caffeine acts to deplete dopamine reserves, especially with chronic administration.

Caffeine Addiction and Withdrawal

Many people experience symptoms of addiction associated with caffeine and dopamine. When you drink a cup of strong coffee, especially if you are feeling worn down, then several effects are likely.

First, adenosine is inhibited and alertness increases. Then adrenaline is upregulated and released, inducing a metabolic boost. Finally, dopamine reuptake is inhibited, creating a sense of pleasure and lifting moods.

In the short term, this is beneficial and can improve cognitive function and mental and physical performance.

However, with repeated caffeine dosing, serious adverse effects may result. Caffeine’s half-life is roughly six hours. After this stimulant has been eliminated from the body, feelings of fatigue, depression and irritability can occur.

To avoid these feelings, many people consume more caffeine. This again causes an increase in CNS activity and stimulates the release of more dopamine and catecholamine hormones.

The muscles tighten, breath shortens and heart beats faster. Jitteriness, anxiousness and hyperactivity may result. Long term effects can affect sleep quality and neurotransmitter homeostasis.

Finally, many experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking caffeine. This may in part be linked to upregulation of dopamine receptors which have developed a tolerance to higher levels of this neurotransmitter.

Conclusions

Caffeine can directly affect dopamine levels. While taking a caffeine supplement in the short-term can increase dopaminergic activity, long-term use could deplete levels of this hormone and result in tolerance and withdrawal symptoms.

Caffeine, nicotine, cocaine, sugar, unhealthy fats, processed foods, industrial toxins, sedentary living and unmanaged stress all have negative effects on dopamine reserves.

Eating a diet rich in tyrosine and phenylalanine food sources can help to improve dopamine levels. Supplements like mucuna pruriens can also help to boost dopamine levels in the short-term.

It is important not to overuse caffeine. Excessive dosages can cause serious side effects or be fatal in rare cases. Most health professionals recommend a maximum of two cups of coffee, or the caffeine equivalent thereof, daily.

Caffeine and dopaminergic supplements can interact with other medications or supplements you are taking. Before using caffeine or dopamine-boosters, consult with a doctor to learn about the risk of side effects and safe use of these products.

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