Coffee, tea and other "risk-free" stimulants

Can we have the benefits of stimulant products without the drawbacks? Yes, pretty much. Studies have shown that caffeine has similar effects on fatigue as amphetamines!
	Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant that also acts on the cardiovascular system. In moderate doses, it raises blood pressure, stimulates brain activity and reduces feelings of fatigue. However, scientists have shown that at high doses, these positive effects on performance are cancelled out. Moderation is therefore the order of the day !

Recommended amount of caffeine

The Council of Europe considers that the dose of 300 mg/day poses no problem for adults, apart from pregnant women (it is possible that doses of 300 mg or more per day may have a negative effect on pregnancy).

Here are the average caffeine concentrations of common beverages:

• Note thata cup of espresso contains no more caffeine than ordinary coffee, but much less beverage: it's the concentration that's stronger. And caffeine is more rapidly assimilated when it is more highly concentrated.

•  Redbull-type energy drinkscontain not only a high dose of caffeine, but also taurine and glucuronolactone : little-known products: beware!

If you drink too much caffeine...

Excess is bad for everything, of course. Too much caffeine leads to stomach pains, hypoglycemia, tremors, tachycardia (the heart beats too fast), irritability and insomnia. Further increases in dosage can lead to anxiety, depression and reduced fertility. If you become a caffeine addict (a rare occurrence), be prepared to suffer violent headaches whenever you're in withdrawal.

However, caffeine does not induce psychotic symptoms (hallucinations, delirium, etc.) like amphetamine-type stimulants, nor does it give rise to paranoid ideas. And dependence on caffeine is relatively low: you can stop taking it whenever you like, without too many physical reactions!

Just a word of advice: if you take caffeine, remember to eat repeatedly, to avoid hypoglycemia.