PSYC62H3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 7: Pope Clement Viii, Friedlieb Ferdinand Runge, Cyp1A2
Document Summary
Caffeine psychostimulant compound and a member of the xanthine chemical class. Other xanthines include theobromine and theophylline and they also exhibit psychostimulant effects. Caffeine, and to a lesser extent other xanthine compounds, exist in many plants grown naturally in the environment. Caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline are found in kola nuts and cocoa tree nuts, which we find in cola soft drinks and chocolate: cola has caffeine from kola nuts, chocolate has caffeine from cocoa nuts. Large variety of tea leaves also contains caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline. Coffee beans, which are brewed for coffee drinks, are a significant source of caffeine. Caffeine represents the most-used and strongest-acting compound among naturally occurring xanthines. Alcoholic beverages have also become a popular source of caffeine, referred to as caffeinated alcoholic beverages. Plant products just listed were consumed long before the europeans discovered them. Teas were used in china for thousands of year, and coffee beans were brewed in arabia since at lease 1000 a. d.
