The Campus Coffee Shop by Heck, Novicki and Rybarczyk

Part V—Caffeine and Addiction/Withdrawal

Jenna, Sally, and Alex worked for several hours at the coffee house on their project about the effects of caffeine on the human body. Even though the project was almost complete by night’s end, they decided to meet in the library at seven o’clock the morning it was due to proofread it and put any last minute touches on it before the nine o’clock deadline. They said their goodbyes and parted for the night, promising to meet in the morning on the day after tomorrow.

Sally was the first to arrive at the library that morning. She was a few minutes early, so she waited for the others to arrive. Alex arrived promptly at 7:00. “Good morning, Sally. Have you seen Jenna yet?” Sally replied, “No. Let’s give her a few minutes before we get started.”

Fifteen minutes passed and still no Jenna. “You know, Alex,” said Sally, “we should probably go ahead and get started. I’d hate to run out of time.” So, Sally and Alex decided to finish the project.

Finally, at 7:45, Jenna arrived. She looked like she had just rolled out of bed. Jenna grumbled a hello to her partners. As they all began to work together, both Alex and Sally immediately noticed that Jenna was cranky and difficult to work with. Compared to two nights ago, Jenna was irritable, jumpy, and unable to concentrate.

Sally asked, “Jenna, are you okay?”

Jenna replied, “No, I’m really tired. I couldn’t sleep well last night. I have a headache; I feel shaky, and I am nauseous. Maybe I am coming down with the flu or some virus.”

Sally and Alex murmured something sympathetic even though they both simply wished Jenna would snap out of it and be helpful. Sally offered Jenna medication for her headache.

Jenna mused, “You know, I haven’t felt right since we started working on this project. I thought about all of the coffee I drink, and I decided to try to go without it. Now, I am not sure it was a good idea.”

Questions

Although she is unaware, Jenna is suffering from caffeine withdrawal. List common symptoms of caffeine withdrawal.
What is the timeframe for the onset of these symptoms? How long can they last?
Sally offers Jenna some medication to try to alleviate her headache, which is caused by dilation of blood vessels in the brain. Explain why you think many headache medications contain caffeine.
Compare and contrast “drug dependence” and “drug addiction.” Based on this comparison, justify under which category you would place caffeine consumption.
Explain the mechanism by which adenosine contributes to caffeine dependence or addiction.
Explain how dopamine can contribute to caffeine dependence or addiction.

Originally published at http://www.sciencecases.org/caffeine/caffeine5.asp