PS268 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Cola Acuminata, Theobroma Cacao, Krating Daeng
Document Summary
Most widely consumed psychostimulant in the world. Coffea arabica plant originally grown in the middle east. Produces xanthine (family of psychostimulants) known as caffeine. Caffeine content can range from 3 mg in decaf to 350 in a large (500ml) coffee: depends on coffee type and brand. Camellia sinensis plant originally grown in china. Contains caffeine and other xanthine stimulant theophylline. Typically about 40-60 mg, depending on type of tea and how it was prepared. Theophylline in much higher dosages than in tea is used as asthma medicine: dilates the airways when inhaled. Boston tea party illustrates what happens when drugs are outlawed: american colonists were upset with tea tax that british had imposed and therefore boycotted legal tea sales. Black market always steps up to fill void: smuggling illegal tea into the us skyrocketed. From cacao plant (theobroma cacao) originally grown in south and central america.
