If you think you're addicted to that morning cup of java, a
new study shows it takes more than average coffee
consumption to develop an addiction.
Researcher Astrid Nehlig of the French National Health and
Medical Research Institute in Strasbourg, France, says her
study involving laboratory animals showed the area of the
brain responsible for addiction is not affected by normal
caffeine consumption.
In her animal tests, Nehlig found caffeine's effects are
different from amphetamines, cocaine, morphine and
nicotine.
The average consumption of three cups of coffee a day is
too low of a dose, says Nehlig, who adds that consumers
would have to drink seven or more cups of coffee in rapid
succession to begin to activate this area of the
brain.
"Activation of the circuitry of addiction and reward occurs
only at high doses of caffeine, which probably induce
already adverse effects," such as depression, anxiety and
nervousness, Nehlig says.
The study confirmed that caffeine does increase alertness
and energy.
This study was presented at the American Chemical
Society's annual meeting in Anaheim, Calif.