Question

one page essay

why do you think caffeine effects memory performance?

Answer 1

Caffeine can be classified as a psychoactive drug that is being widely used by many around the world. It is one that can be used safely by both elderly and children as per research findings and hence cannot be included under any class of scheduled drugs. Caffeine is one which influences the functioning of the brain, Let us now see how this happens. In human brain there are millions of neurons and there are receptors to which a neurotransmitter by the name adenosine binds with. It is this adenosine that promotes all activities of brain during day and withdraws neuron activity as to allow sleep at night. Coffee or active ingredient in it which is caffeine competes with adenosine and finally binds with these receptors. They are found to influence the release of several hormones such as serotonin, dopamine, etc. These are found to deal with an increase in memory as well. Research works have shown that caffeine stimulates the activity of both hippocampus and cerebral cortex. This helps in memory particularly those associated with long term processing. However, it must be noted that an excessive amount of caffeine throughout life will not lead to the retention of long term memories as well.