PSYC62H3 Chapter 7-10: Midterm Guide
10 Mar 2017
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It"s a pychostimulant member of xanthine chemical class: 90% of americans consume coffee on a regular basis. Pharmacokinetics: peak plasma level reached at two hours (e. g. 30 minutes to feel its effect, liver metabolizes it (e. g. more precisely, cyp-1a2 and to a lesser degree. Cyp-2e1): active metabolite: paraxanthine metabolizes 80-90% caffeine. Caffeine primary action is antagonism of adenosine receptors: a1 and a2. By blocking these receptors, caffeine prevents the otherwise inhibitory effect adenosine has on the cholinergic and dopaminergic neurons (e. g. thereby blocking their influence on the cns) Increased hr, blood-vessel constriction, increased breathing rate, reduced appetite, alertness, positive mood. Tolerance occurs with caffeine acute subjective effects: positive mood, alertness, anxiety. Tolerance can not occur with physiological effects: cardiovascular changes and b-v constriction. Alcohol is most commonly used cns depressant: serves as cns depressant inducing sedating effects after consumption but also serves positive rewards when taken in low doses, consumed mostly in russia and asia.
