Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: smart on 20/01/2018 23:36:35

Title: Does caffeine increase cerebral blood flow?
Post by: smart on 20/01/2018 23:36:35

I am strongly addicted to caffeine. When I don't drink enough coffee, I get weird symptoms and serious headaches. So I was wondering, is it possible that caffeine increase cerebral blood flow (CBF) ?

What do you think?

Title: Re: Does caffeine increase cerebral blood flow?
Post by: evan_au on 21/01/2018 09:37:44

Quote from: tkadm30

When I don't drink enough coffee, I get weird symptoms and serious headaches.

Another addiction?
See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caffeine_dependence

Title: Re: Does caffeine increase cerebral blood flow?
Post by: smart on 21/01/2018 09:41:14

Quote from: evan_au on 21/01/2018 09:37:44

Another addiction?

I almost predicted that comment of yours, evan... ;)

Title: Re: Does caffeine increase cerebral blood flow?
Post by: smart on 21/01/2018 22:21:21

Can someone please help me to interpret the results of this study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19219847

Title: Re: Does caffeine increase cerebral blood flow?
Post by: Colin2B on 21/01/2018 23:06:22

Quote from: tkadm30 on 21/01/2018 22:21:21

Can someone please help me to interpret the results of this study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19219847

Caffine reduces cerebral blood flow (CFB) in both subjects who had abstained and in those who were consuming their normal amount of caffeine.

Title: Re: Does caffeine increase cerebral blood flow?
Post by: smart on 21/01/2018 23:51:58

Why is caffeine good for headaches and migraines, if it decreases cerebral blood flow?

Title: Re: Does caffeine increase cerebral blood flow?
Post by: chiralSPO on 22/01/2018 00:50:29

Quote from: tkadm30 on 21/01/2018 23:51:58

Why is caffeine good for headaches and migraines, if it decreases cerebral blood flow?

Migraines are very complex (and not very well understood), but one of their features is a vicious cycle of inflammation. Something triggers the cycle, causing inflammation, which brings more blood to the brain, worsening the initial problem, increasing the inflammation... etc. Because caffeine reduces the blood flow (slightly) it can put a damper on the vicious cycle (caffeine by itself doesn't usually cure bad headaches, but when combined with other treatments, the outcome is much better than either alone)

Title: Re: Does caffeine increase cerebral blood flow?
Post by: evan_au on 22/01/2018 07:36:19

Quote from: tkadm30

I almost predicted that comment of yours, evan... ;)

It's good to know that I am somewhat consistent...

Hopefully with somewhat consistent evidence to back it up :)