Caffeine is a drug with stimulant effects on the brain and nervous system, found in many common foods and drinks. It is the most widely consumed drug in the world, with addictive qualities and observable effects on personality and behavior.
Since caffeine is unregulated in most countries of the world and is readily consumed on a daily basis by people of all ages, many people question whether it is correct to call caffeine a drug. Caffeine is found in many common foods and drinks, including chocolate, tea and, of course, coffee. It is a stimulant with observable effects on the brain and nervous system as well as addictive qualities. Therefore, it is perfectly correct to call caffeine a drug, even if it does not have the social stigma associated with most non-prescription drugs.
Caffeine is produced by many plants around the world, apparently as a natural pesticide; ingesting it can paralyze or kill some insects. The use of the coffee bean as a stimulant was a closely guarded secret in ancient Ethiopia, although a similar effect of tea was already well known in China. These substances became important to international trade and commerce in the Age of Exploration and after. Coffeehouses were in operation all over the world in the 17th century.
Caffeinated sodas like Coca-Cola became popular in the late 19th century. At that point, even the US government debated whether to classify caffeine as a drug. A shipment of Coca-Cola was seized by government officials in 19 who were concerned that caffeine, a drug, was being administered to unsuspecting customers. Coca-Cola had removed the drug cocaine from its soft drink a decade earlier. The Coca-Cola Company was cleared of any wrongdoing, but later food and beverage manufacturers were required to list caffeine in product labeling, as it was an addictive substance.
Another factor in proving that caffeine is a drug is its effect on personality and behavior. While its stimulant effects are well known, it can also increase metabolism and heart rate, and constrict blood vessels in the brain. Regular users may experience mild withdrawal symptoms such as headaches and irritability when caffeine is unavailable. Those unaccustomed to caffeine may experience nervous tremors and an increased need to urinate after consumption. These physical and mental effects are shared by other psychoactive drugs and stimulants.
Is caffeine a drug? The 90 percent of Americans who consume it daily might disagree. Even devout Muslims, Christians, and Jews who shun intoxicants would be hard-pressed to do without their daily java. The simple facts, however, prove that not only is caffeine a drug, it is also the most widely consumed drug in the world. It’s no wonder, then, that the ancient Ethiopians wanted to keep it to themselves.
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