Effect Of Caffeine On Cognitive Functions Attention, Memory, Language - 550 Words

Effect Of Caffeine On Cognitive Functions: Attention, Memory, Language (Essay Sample) Content: Effect of Caffeine on Cognitive Functions Author's name Institutional Affiliation Effect of Caffeine on Cognitive Functions Caffeine is undoubtedly the most commonly consumed psychoactive substance in the world (Hopf SM, 2011) . Studies are still being conducted to determine whether caffeine is beneficial or harmful to human health. In this essay, I shall discuss the effects of caffeine on cognitive functions; which are brain-based skills that aid in acquiring and processing information. Cognitive functions include: attention, memory, language, perception, decision making, and problem solving. From my point of view, caffeine is harmful to human health: it has a negative effect on cognitive functions. First of all, caffeine is a Central Nervous System (CNS) stimulant; it increases the speed with which neurons transmit nerve impulses between the body and the brain. Immediately caffeine is ingested into the human body, it takes a minimum of fifteen minutes before its effects can be felt by the consumer; and its effects can last up to six hours. Caffeine is known to cause mental alertness which leads to insomnia; a sleep abnormality that is identified with difficulty in falling and/or staying asleep. Insomnia causes a lot of health risks which include: increase in blood pressure, weakening of the immune system, insensitivity to pain, depression, anxiety, and lack of concentration. In a current research, sleep duration and cases of heart attack and stroke were recorded over a given period of time. During this time, the men who were dealing with sleep disorders had a risk of heart attack that was 2 to 2.6 times higher than their peers without any issues with sleep. For stroke, the risk was 1.5 to four times higher if the patients had trouble with sleeping. Overall, nearly two-thirds of the group who had a heart attack also had a sleeping disorder (Anonymous, 2016). Other studies have suggested that those who sleep for less than six hours a night are twice as likely to have a stroke or heart attack, as opposed to their peers who get six to eight hours of rest per night. Secondly, caffeine is considered to be an addictive substance by the World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO identifies the addiction of caffeine as a real disorder (Meredith, Juliano, Hughes Griffiths, 2013). The diagnostic process of caffeine dependence syndrome is recognized by International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th revision (ICD-10) developed by WHO (WHO, 1992). This disorder comprises a collection of behavioral, cognitive and physiological phenomena which actually develop following recurrent use of the substance (i.e., caffeine). Furthermore, this disorder also involves strong urge to take that substance, uncontrolled use, continuing the use of the drug even after the detrimental consequences, increased tolerance, occasionally a physical withdrawal state and setting priority over other activities and responsibilities to take that substance (WHO, 1992). Caffeine is an addictive substance, and with continuous consumption it automat ically makes one to be...