Coffee is a staple for many writers not due in small part for it’s ability to wake us up and get our brains ticking. With the crazy 100 Hubs in 30 days happening as I write this, now would seem a rather timely bow to the Coffee God.

As many would be aware it is caffeine, a xanthine alkaloid, contained in the coffee bean that gives coffee its kick.

In humans caffeine acts as a central nervous system stimulant. It’s popularity world over makes coffee, and the caffeine it contains, the worlds most popular psychoactive substance.

Caffeine has a similar molecular make up to a a naturally occurring molecule in the body Adenosine. Adenosine acts as an energy regulator in the brain, being able to suppress neural activity. Caffeine is able to bind to the receptor that Adenosine usually binds to therefore blocking it from doing it’s job. Though the exact method in which caffeine increase alertness has not yet been shown.

Luckily for us we can enjoy coffee in good health. It has been used for thousands of years, and as such provides a great field record of not having sever side effects. As long as it is taken in moderation, like any substance. Some side effects of coffee can be seen in the illustration.

Medically speaking

• Caffeine is used to treat Migraines and Hyperemesis in pregnant woman.
• Caffeine also acts as a mild Diarrhetic, especially on these with little or know caffeine tolerance.
• Derivatives of Caffeine have also been used to treat breathing disorders in premature infants, with long term studies showing lasting results.
• There have also been several studies that show caffeine is associated with a reduced risk of developing Parkinson’s disease in men.

So fill up the coffee pot, and put those brains into action knowing that you're following a long tradition of psycho-actively aided people before you.

There are plenty of varieties of coffee out there, the illy coffee line of coffee and coffee machines is my personal prefernce. Though what ever coffee machine you choose, or coffee bean you choose will still give you a caffiene hit. Even decaff coffee has some caffiene in it, and with the introduction of more and more green coffee to our coffee selection the choice has never been greater. Go out to a coffee shop or get your very own coffee maker, and enjoy.