Once a medical study was published on the application of caffeine for treating Parkinson's disease, it stirred up a lot of controversy. However, in my opinion, caffeine cannot help without causing harm. Over doing caffeine takes away your dopamine, as I illustrate in my book titled, "The Truth About Caffeine". An individual will continue to want bigger quantities of caffeine, no matter what amount he started consuming. As with any drug, the body quickly discovers how to render caffeine's effects void, demanding larger quantities to feel any further stimulation. However, high levels of caffeine can be dangerous and even fatal.

Most caffeine consumers actively seek the boost of dopamine, for their brains to be stimulated, in order to feel more motivated, intense sensations and heightened mental acuity. As all other brain stimulant and heavy drugs, people use caffeine to stimulate the brain for the quick acceleration of dopamine. Dopamine is a neuro-transmitter, the brain' chemical messenger which is responsible for energy level, vigilance, alertness, reaction time, spontaneity, etc. Even so, dopamine in addition, determines stimulant addiction.

Excessive caffeine intake leads to over-stimulation and depletion of dopamine-producing brain cells. You then feel weary and tried. Yet, more caffeine is consumed returning the rush of energy. This is a cycle of constant depletion of dopamine somatic cell.

As our body becomes older, our level of dopamine diminishes naturally, which goes even faster with caffeine. Parkinson's disease is defined as a severe lessoning of dopamine somatic cell. Since caffeine stimulates opening up dopamine, victims of Parkinson's disease can benefit. However, approximately 70 to 80 percent of dopamine somatic cell are irreversibly lost before the symptoms of disease become noticeable.

Caffeine leads to the development of other health problems. The stress hormone output by the adrenal glands is dangerously accelerated by caffeine. Just one cup of a caffeine-containing beverage is enough to trigger the brain (pituitary glands) to send a message to the adrenal glands to release the stress hormones adrenalin and cortisol to the bloodstream.

A natural consequence of an dangerous situation is a feeling of warm blood shooting through our veins, while the stress hormones are let out. The burst of energy we get from caffeine is actually a stress hormone rush. Caffeine is a strong stimulant and an irritant that triggers the body's defense response by releasing the stress hormones. The defense system, after some time, loses its strength.

With the use of caffeine moving a constant supply of artificial adrenalin, the glands are exhausted and aren't able to release sufficient hormones. Looking to experience the former adrenalin jolt, a caffeine user begins to increase his caffeine intake, placing more pressure on the glands, which cannot cope with the addict' demands. As these actions continue, the results will show.

Sooner or later, caffeine users develop adrenal depletion. Everyday overproduction of stress hormones, which are toxic in excess, eventually changes the blood composition, which, in turn, negatively affects proper function of the immune, endocrine, and nervous systems.

The following consequence might happen; chronic fatigue, raised insulin and blood sugar levels, heightened weight, elevated blood pressure, irritation, nervousness, depression, sleeping disorder, common viral infections, ulcers, thinning of the skin, bone loss, thyroid problems, and besides more disturbing signals of deteriorating health.

Author Biography:

Marina Kushner is the founder of the Caffeine Awareness Alliance, a non-profit organization, which sponsors National Caffeine Awareness Month and is held annually in March across America. Ms. Kushner is an authority on caffeine and the detrimental effects it has on the body and mind. Her latest book called “The Truth About Caffeine" explores the historical and social impact of the drug throughout the ages while offering healthy alternatives to its usage. www.TruthaboutCaffeine.com