Coffee is a stimulating drink because it contains caffeine, and caffeine has an effect on the nervous system even when consumed in small quantities. The impact of drinking coffee has been described as “energising”, “stimulating”, “refreshing”, and “revitalizing”.
This article looks at the experience of drinking coffee: what it’s like, what causes the “buzz’, and why we like it.
What is caffeine?
Caffeine is a drug that is both manufactured and found naturally in a range of plants, such as the seeds of the coffee plant and cacao plant, and in tea leaves. It is a stimulant of the central nervous system, which explains its popularity as a daily beverage.
Caffeine has been classified as “generally recognized as safe” by the US Food and Drug Administration, but it does have a toxic dose limit of 10g per day. It is recommended that no more than 400mg be consumed per day.
Caffeine is found naturally in the seeds (or beans) of the coffee plant and makes its way into the beverage through the grinding and brewing processes of typical coffee making.
What does caffeine do to the body?
Caffeine is a natural stimulant, which means it increases the activity of the brain and nervous system. Your body absorbs caffeine through the gastrointestinal tract quite quickly, and the effects are felt generally within about five minutes.
You’ll probably first notice an increased alertness and physical energy. These first affects are usually the ones coffee drinkers refer to as “stimulating” and “restorative”.
The caffeine will increase your heart rate, your breathing, and your temperature. However, others effects, depending on how much you’ve consumed, will soon follow.
These include the need to urinate, dehydration, an increased heartbeat, trembling hands, restlessness, and sleeplessness.
The effects of caffeine can last up to 12 hours, but again this depends on the individual and how much they’ve had.
How does caffeine affect our behaviour?
We love the coffee experience because it includes that well known caffeine “rush” which is both swift and reliable. Caffeine affects our energy level, which in turn, impacts on what and how we think, and on what we are doing and how we do it.
How we refer to the effects of our coffee on us depends on when (and how often) we drink it.
Caffeine stimulates the release of dopamine, a hormone and neurotransmitter that makes us feel good. Dopamine is a kind of “chemical messenger” which carries signals between the brain cells. This is why we experience the “rush” as an all over effect.
This “boost” is especially welcome in the morning because our morning coffee, besides energising us for the day, also makes us feel that the day will be good. We commonly describe our morning cuppa as “restorative”, “refreshing”, “ warming”, and “satisfying”.
Our midday cup is different. The energy from our first cup has been depleted, and we want it back. We may have a looming deadline, or a task that is just not progressing anymore.
After a midday cup, we’ll be “revitalized”, “reenergized”, “renewed”, and “reinvigorated”. Our caffeine convinces us that we once more have energy – and some to spare. This is the “inspiration” phase. We feel good, and we feel capable.
The late night cup may not feel good. By the evening, we are already depleted. Late night coffee is for endurance. We won’t feel refreshed or relaxed, but we may finish an essay or meet a deadline. We certainly won’t go to sleep.
How much caffeine is there in coffee?
The average cup of coffee (8 oz or 236ml) contains around 95mg of caffeine. However, this very much depends on the type of coffee you’re drinking and the size of your drink.
Different coffees have different levels of caffeine. For example, the same size decaffeinated coffee contains about 3mg of caffeine and a double espresso about 130mg.
Different coffee beans contain different amounts of caffeine, (for example, the robusta bean has twice as much caffeine as the arabica bean), and the brewing process also affects your coffee experience.
How much caffeine is there in each style of coffee?
Compared to the average cup of coffee (with around 95mg of caffeine), other popular coffees can fall way below this or way above it – it depends on what you choose and how it’s brewed.
- The espresso – around 63mg of caffeine
- The latte – around 63 mg (made with a single espresso shot)
- The ristretto – around 33mg
- The doppio – around 130mg
- The long black – between 90mg and 120mg
- The cappuccino – 60mg – 80mg
- The mocha – 80mg
Is it possible to get addicted to coffee?
Unfortunately, it is possible to become addicted to the caffeine in coffee because it’s a drug and our bodies quickly become reliant on it. It’s recommended that we don’t have more than 400mg per day.
Signs that you may be having a few too many coffees each day include:
- Difficulty sleeping
- Difficulty relaxing
- Constant fatigue that no amount of caffeine will relieve
- Nausea
- Headaches
- Crankiness and irritability
- Shaking hands
- Nervous sweating
- Dizziness
- Dehydration
- Dry skin
- Depleted immune system
Why is coffee considered a “social drink”?
Gathering for coffee is a revitalizing and rejuvenating human activity because of the combination of the chemical effects of caffeine and because “coffee culture” is such a dynamic and interactive experience.
Coffee drinkers typically have a favourite café or coffeehouse – chosen because it makes their coffee the right way.
The stimulating effect of caffeine is naturally conducive to sharing, bonding, finding solutions, encouragement and support.
What other popular drinks contain caffeine?
Caffeine is naturally found in coffee beans, cacao beans and tea leaves. This means that the range of caffeinated drinks encompasses all tea, coffee, and chocolate drinks unless they are served decaffeinated.
Other caffeinated drinks include:
- Cola drinks
- Energy drinks, including Red Bull, Mother, Monster, Wired, Loud, Redline, and Celsius
- Sports drinks, including Man Fuel, Grape Blast, Unicorn Water, and
- Energy shots
- Iced milk drinks that contain coffee or chocolate in any form including as ice cream
Hi, I’m Jen Williams, chief editor and writer for ThirstPerk.com.
I’ve been drinking coffee and tea for most of my life, but it wasn’t until I started working at Thirstperk.com that I became an expert on the subject. I’m a total caffeine addict who has spent hours upon hours reading about and experimenting with the different types of coffees out there in my search to find the perfect cup of joe.
I’ve been a tea lover for as long as I can remember as well. I grew up in a house with a mom who loved to drink herbal tea, and I think that’s where my love for tea first began. These days, I’m always on the lookout for new and interesting teas to try, and I love experimenting with different brewing methods and flavoring combinations.
