Caffeine

Caffeine is perhaps the world's most popular mood-altering drug. Found commonly in coffee and tea, it stimulates the central nervous system to make your body and mind feel more awake. Here's the latest science news on caffeine, including its effects on the body, and possible benefits and risks.

Related Topics: Alcohol, Happiness, Nervous System

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A young man clutches his chest in pain.

26-Year-Old's Heart Attack Linked to Energy Drink

By Agata Blaszczak-Boxe

Energy drinks may be to blame in the case of an otherwise healthy 26-year-old man who had a heart attack, according to a new case report.

A woman drinks a cup of coffee and looks happy

Coffee May Protect Against Some Skin Cancers

By Stephanie Pappas

Enjoy your morning cup of joe without guilt: A new study finds that drinking four or more cups of coffee daily is linked with a lower risk of malignant melanoma, the deadliest skin cancer.

Martini glasses filled with drinks

Energy Drinks Plus Alcohol May Encourage Drunk Driving

By Agata Blaszczak-Boxe

People who mix energy drinks with alcohol may be more likely to drive drunk than those who consume only alcohol, according to a new study.

tops of red bull cans

Energy Drinks Can Be Deadly for Young Children

By Tia Ghose

In children, energy drinks can cause serious side effects, such as seizures and cardiovascular problems.

A girl sits looking at a glass of soda.

Kids and Caffeine: How Much is Too Much?

By Dr. Sanjay Mehta

Caffeine is in a wide range of drinks that kids consume — is that safe?

Woman drinking coffee

Decaf or Regular: Coffee Is Good for Your Liver

By Laura Geggel

Drinking decaffeinated coffee is just as helpful as drinking regular coffee is for maintaining a healthy liver, a new study finds.

A woman drinks a cup of coffee and looks happy

Coffee Lover? It Could Be in Your Genes

By Tanya Lewis

Some people can't imagine their mornings without coffee, while others don't touch a drop of the stuff. Now, a new study reveals how genes influence whether people like coffee.

Mixed drinks sit on a bar.

Adding Energy Drinks to Alcohol Boosts Urge to Drink

By Cari Nierenberg

People feel a stronger urge to drink more alcohol when their drink contains an energy drink, along with alcohol, a new study finds.

A girl looks at a glass full of cola.

After Puberty, Kids' Gender Determines Reaction to Caffeine, Study Says

By Martta Kelly

Boys and girls react differently to caffeine after puberty, according to a new study.

A woman lays in bed, unable to fall asleep, looking at a clock.

Does a Bedtime Snack Help or Hurt Your Sleep?

By Fred Cicetti

Eating a small snack a few hours before bedtime may help you sleep by preventing hunger from waking you. However, there are no snacks that guarantee to put you to sleep.

Buzz on Energy Drinks: No Better Than Caffeine

By Rachael Rettner

Energy drinks work no better than ordinary caffeine at helping us pay attention, a new study suggests.

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7 Holiday Stress Busters

By Lindsey Konkel

Seven surefire strategies for managing holiday stress.

Eye-Opener: FDA Criticized for Ban on Alcoholic Energy Drinks

By Amanda Chan

Group says FDA decision is overreach by government.

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Coffee-Drinking May Reduce Risk of Skin Cancer

By Rachael Rettner

Drinking more than three cups of coffee a day was linked with a reduced risk ofbasal cell carcinoma.

Brewing Controversy: Experts Say Four Loko Worse than Mixed Drinks

By Amanda Chan

The FDA announced today that alcoholic beverages with added caffeine are illegal and dangerous. Experts explain why these drinks pack such a punch.

Caffeine Could Impair Women's Fertility

By Amanda Chan

Caffeine relaxes the Fallopian tube muscles, which stops the egg from going from the ovaries to the womb.

The Healthy Geezer: What's Up with Those Weird Eye Twitches?

By Fred Cicetti

Eye-twitching also called eye spasms or blinking disorder is known technically as blepharospasm. It usually is not a serious condition.

A cup of coffee.

Coffee May Help Protect Against Skin Cancer

By Anna Azvolinsky

Caffeine may the reason drinking coffee lowers the risk of the most common type of skin cancer, researchers say.

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Decaf Coffee Benefits the Brain

By Rachael Rettner

Decaffeinated coffee may protect against the cognitive decline that occurs with Type 2 diabetes and aging.

guarana seeds, caffeine, energy drinks, supplements

The Truth About Guarana

By Luke Yoquinto

The seeds of the guarana fruit are about the size of coffee beans, but they contain more than twice as much caffeine, along with other compounds.