Caffeine is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulate and a addicting drug. When the central nervous system is stimulated it sends nerve impulses to the hypothalamus of the brain. The hypothalamus governs the releasing of 8 important hormones by the pituitary gland, also controls body temperature, our hunger and thirst, our sexual behavior and reproduction, emotional responses and our circadian rhythm. The circadian rhythm is our bodies daily cycles in our physiological state.
When the hypothalamus receives these nerve impulses the brain secrets corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). ("Abnormally high levels of CRH have been found in the cerebrospinal fluid of people who have committed suicide.") This hormone is carried to the pituitary gland by the portal system, which is located at the base of the brain. The CRH stimulates the anterior pituitary, resulting in the secretion of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). The ACTH is carried by the blood to the adrenal cortex. When the ACTH arrives at the adrenal gland through the blood, ACTH stimulates the adrenal gland in producing and secreting cortisol along with adrenaline. (ACTH is stopped and inhibited when cortisol purpose is accomplished and gets feedback.)
So for cortisol to be produced it takes the central nervous system, the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland and, finally, the adrenal gland, where cortisol is produced. Four parts of the body are involved. And the manufacturing of two hormones: corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), plus the nerve impulses that initiated this process.
Cortisol is a steroid hormone secreted by the adrenal gland, and is the adrenal cortex main secretion. The synthetic derivative of cortisol is prednisone. These derivatives are used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, allergies, asthma and autoimmune diseases. Cortisol is naturally produced and released into our bodies twice a day, the highest level released in the morning, peaking at 8 a.m., a lower level reached between midnight and 4 a.m. or 3-5 hours after falling asleep. This is called a circadian rhythm. However when you artificially stimulate the central nervous system, by using a drug, the normal cycle of releasing cortisol into the body is increased, becoming a chronic problem with devastating results. A question should be asked, what are the consequences of a lifetime of high levels of cortisol?
When your body is increasing its' physical and mental work load cortisol will, naturally, respond with, just, the right amount of cortisol. Also cortisol will respond when our body is under stress. The results of this response causes an increase in the breakdown of fats, protein and carbohydrates in the tissues causing energy. Because of this breakdown there is an increase of the metabolism on the cellular level caused by cortisol. This process is done naturally.
When you place your body under certain conditions, for example working or fasting, cortisol will assist your body to maintain a normal blood glucose and will keep the blood pressure normal. Cortisol resists the effects of stress that you place your body under. Small amounts of increases of cortisol has some positives results: bursts of energy for survival purposes, improved memory function for a short time period, increased immunity for a while, and lower sensitivity to pain. But our bodies need to return to normal, and relax after a stressful situation.
At normal levels cortisol is beneficial to our bodies, but when the level is higher and chronic the story changes. Chronic high levels of cortisol will start to affect our cognitive performance negatively, suppresses our thyroid gland hindering losing weight, causing blood sugar imbalances, decreases bone density and muscle tissue, starts to increase blood pressure, causing insomnia and headaches, affects inflammation resulting in slower wound healing, suppressing the digestive system, increases abdominal fat and suppresses the growth process. Cortisol weakens the immune system, interfering with T-cells.
Higher levels of cortisol, also, causing other hormones to rise. Chronic elevated cortisol is toxic to the brain, in the hippocampus, causing short-term memory loss leading to Alzheimer, senile dementia. Damaging brain cells, impairs learning and represses memory making it difficult to retrieve already stored information and, also, causing osteoporosis.
With each cola or un-cola, each cup of coffee or chocolate you are stimulating the central nervous system starting the process of releasing more cortisol into your body. Contrary to what medical doctors may tell you in their office, only a small amount of caffeine is secreted out of your body, the other 90% takes up to 12 hours to be detoxified by the liver for just that one 6 ounces cup of caffeine. Can chronic stress be caused by our constant consumption of caffeine and not our jobs or family?
Long-term stimulation of our central nervous system, consequently over exposing our bodies to cortisol, will place us in risk for heart disease, sleep problems, depression, obesity, memory impairment and skin problems. "This hormone also communicates with regions of your brain that controls mood, motivation and fear."
Extra amounts of cortisol is produced when the central nervous system is stimulated and caffeine is a central nervous system stimulate, therefore, with each cup of caffeine you are, constantly stimulating the CNS, consequently producing cortisol.
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