NEWS: Coffee and tantric concoction? :)

[Guest guest]

|| Om Gurave Namah ||Dear Jyotishas, Ayurveda and Yoga texts I think mention about herbs to increase awarness. In that perspective maybe this news Item can interest you. Learned in Ayurveda can give their comments. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/01/090114-caffeine-hallucinations.html

Warm RegardsSanjay PHeavy drinkers of coffee, tea, energy drinks, and other caffeinated

beverages are more likely to hallucinate, hear imaginary voices, and

even sense the presence of deceased people, a new study suggests.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coffee May Cause Hallucinations

 

 

 

 

Brian Handwerkfor National Geographic News

 

 

 

 

January 14, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

Double-shot lovers take note—the world's most popular psychoactive drug

may have a disturbing hidden effect on some of its habitual users. Heavy

drinkers of coffee, tea, energy drinks, and other caffeinated beverages

are more likely to hallucinate, hear imaginary voices, and even sense

the presence of deceased people, a new study suggests. Among

the 200 test subjects, those who consumed the equivalent of seven cups

of coffee a day were found to be three times more likely to have

hallucinatory experiences than those who consumed less than a single

cup a day. Lead author Simon Jones, a psychology Ph.D. student

at Durham University in the U.K, is intrigued but cautious about the

connection. " This hasn't shown that caffeine causes hallucinations, though the data are consistent with that idea, " he said. " It

could also be that people who have hallucinations are more anxious and

worried, so that causes them to consume more caffeine. " Ubiquitous Drug Packs PunchCaffeine is much loved for its ability to quickly increase alertness, boost energy, and improve mood.

(Read " Caffeine—What's the Buzz? " from National Geographic magazine.) The massively popular drug's effects have been explored intensely.

Some studies have revealed possible benefits such as relief from pain and headaches and the easing of asthma symptoms. Others have suggested possible correlations between caffeine use and cancer, fibrocystic breast disease, and osteoporosis.

The

FDA lists caffeine as a food additive " generally recognized as safe, "

and most experts agree that moderate consumption of up to 300

milligrams a day (one to two 12-ounce coffees or six to eight 12-ounce

cans of soda) is not dangerous. (See National Geographic's caffeine photo gallery)Sensory Disturbances

Jones and colleagues speculate in the journal Personality and Individual Differences

that the drug may cause hallucinatory experiences by amplifying the

physiological effects of stress—including driving increased production

of a stress-related hormone known as cortisol. Jones notes

that other research has linked some hallucinations to traumatic events

like abuse or bereavement, which may make people more sensitive to

stress. Jack Bergman, a behavioral pharmacologist at Harvard

Medical School unaffiliated with the study, noted that heavy caffeine

intake can produce jitteriness and other adverse effects, which

typically prompt users to avoid higher doses. " Overdose with much higher intake of caffeine produces myriad effects, one of which may be considered hallucination, " he added. " It's

important to remember that hallucination can be most simply defined as

a sensory disturbance. There certainly are reports that extremely high

doses—overdoses—of caffeine can produce sensory disturbances and, in

some cases, it may get more complex than just 'seeing stars' or

'hearing noises.' " It's also important to realize that such

very high doses of caffeine also produce, in some individuals, paranoid

reactions that can intensify the experience of a sensory disturbance. " Bergman

also noted that psychiatric conditions like psychotic depression can

distort the effects of many drugs, including caffeine, so that it is

difficult to predict how afflicted individuals will respond to high

doses.Study author Jones hopes to continue probing possible links between nutrition and sensory disturbances. " We're

planning to look at those who are disturbed by severe hallucinations

and see whether dietary changes like caffeine, sugar, or fat intake can

help people cope with their hallucinations better, " he said.

 

 

 

 

© 1996-2008 National Geographic Society. All rights reserved.