Regular Caffeine Consumption Affects Brain Structure

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Lucas Oliveira
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Regular Caffeine Consumption Affects Brain Structure

Post by Lucas Oliveira »

Regular Caffeine Consumption Affects Brain Structure

Frequent caffeine consumption reduces gray matter volume in areas of the right medial temporal lobe, including the hippocampus. Ten days of “caffeine abstinence” helps regenerate gray matter.

https://neurosciencenews.com/caffeine-g ... ter-17781/

Daily caffeine consumption can change the gray matter of the brain
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20210 ... brain.aspx
Meditation Associated With Increased Grey Matter In The Brain

Meditation is known to alter resting brain patterns, suggesting long lasting brain changes, but a new study by researchers from Yale, Harvard, Massachusetts General Hospital, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology shows meditation also is associated with increased cortical thickness.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2 ... 215950.htm

Mindfulness practice leads to increases in regional brain gray matter density
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3004979/

Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1361002/
Grey matter

Grey matter (or gray matter) is a major component of the central nervous system, consisting of neuronal cell bodies, neuropil (dendrites and unmyelinated axons), glial cells (astrocytes and oligodendrocytes), synapses, and capillaries. Grey matter is distinguished from white matter in that it contains numerous cell bodies and relatively few myelinated axons, while white matter contains relatively few cell bodies and is composed chiefly of long-range myelinated axons.[1] The colour difference arises mainly from the whiteness of myelin. In living tissue, grey matter actually has a very light grey colour with yellowish or pinkish hues, which come from capillary blood vessels and neuronal cell bodies.[2]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grey_matter

What is Grey Matter?
https://www.news-medical.net/health/Wha ... atter.aspx

Neuroanatomy, Gray Matter
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK553239/

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DNS
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Re: Regular Caffeine Consumption Affects Brain Structure

Post by DNS »

But then on the other hand, there are studies that show coffee (and caffeine) help prevent alzheimer's and dementia.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20182054/

:coffee:
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Lucas Oliveira
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Re: Regular Caffeine Consumption Affects Brain Structure

Post by Lucas Oliveira »

one scientific study shows that coffee decreases the gray matter of the brain and another scientific study shows that meditation increases the gray matter of the brain.

but there are also many scientific papers that show the health benefits of coffee.
13 Health Benefits of Coffee, Based on Science
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/to ... TLE_HDR_11
and even some meditation practitioners may like to have a little coffee before practicing an hour or two of meditation.

So let's drink in moderation

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bhooooo
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Re: Regular Caffeine Consumption Affects Brain Structure

Post by bhooooo »

Personally, I hardly ever consume coffee or tea. Science is fascinating, however it often contradicts itself. Moreover, it is likely that, despite all efforts to prevent it, studies won't be replicable. A wonderful excuse to observe sensations and do as we think is appropriate if you ask me :D
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Re: Regular Caffeine Consumption Affects Brain Structure

Post by denise »

hello all...have experimented over a lifetime with caffeine....am only now mildly addicted....have experienced too little and too much....all within a good cause of course :tongue: ....but too much can kill you and too little is more comfortable and much cheaper....you'll see
dharmacorps
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Re: Regular Caffeine Consumption Affects Brain Structure

Post by dharmacorps »

Caffeine cannot kill you. That is preposterous. Sure, it can cause health effects but in most people it is totally safe.
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mjaviem
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Re: Regular Caffeine Consumption Affects Brain Structure

Post by mjaviem »

I thought drinking coffee was against the fifth precept. I thought coffee was an intoxicant affecting one's heedfulness.
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Sam Vara
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Re: Regular Caffeine Consumption Affects Brain Structure

Post by Sam Vara »

mjaviem wrote: Sat Mar 13, 2021 12:57 pm I thought drinking coffee was against the fifth precept. I thought coffee was an intoxicant affecting one's heedfulness.
No, although sometimes people will claim that they personally find coffee so toxic that it completely prevents practising. Coffee makes one jittery and over-stimulated, but I don't think it could make one heedless. I know lots of monastics who drink it.
Thomas Searcher
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Re: Regular Caffeine Consumption Affects Brain Structure

Post by Thomas Searcher »

I gave up caffeine long before I had any sort of commitment to Buddhism. It was a fairly brutal withdrawal too. Speaking only for myself, I can think of few things I've done that are more beneficial for my health (physical and mental). I find that I'm a kinder and more relaxed person now. Though I still have anxiety at times, the level and intensity is much more manageable. I also sleep much better than I did before. At any rate, I personally count caffeine as an intoxicant to be avoided per the Fifth Precept.
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salayatananirodha
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Re: Regular Caffeine Consumption Affects Brain Structure

Post by salayatananirodha »

i drink caffeine and energy drinks all the time and i think its really bad
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confusedlayman
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Re: Regular Caffeine Consumption Affects Brain Structure

Post by confusedlayman »

I dont avare about brain because its not me
I may be slow learner but im at least learning...
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Re: Regular Caffeine Consumption Affects Brain Structure

Post by SteRo »

salayatananirodha wrote: Mon Mar 15, 2021 12:31 am i drink caffeine and energy drinks all the time and i think its really bad
If "all the time" sure.
caffeine's half-life is between 3 and 7 hours
It is the dosing that determines the effect.
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Re: Regular Caffeine Consumption Affects Brain Structure

Post by DooDoot »

salayatananirodha wrote: Mon Mar 15, 2021 12:31 am i drink caffeine and energy drinks all the time and i think its really bad
i never have; even before finding Dhamma. Dhamma set me free at 24 years old. No intoxicants of any kind since. :smile:
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Re: Regular Caffeine Consumption Affects Brain Structure

Post by cappuccino »

DooDoot wrote: Thu Mar 18, 2021 5:22 am No intoxicants of any kind since. :smile:
I never drank alcohol, only… infinite coffee :(
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Re: Regular Caffeine Consumption Affects Brain Structure

Post by SteRo »

DooDoot wrote: Thu Mar 18, 2021 5:22 am
salayatananirodha wrote: Mon Mar 15, 2021 12:31 am i drink caffeine and energy drinks all the time and i think its really bad
i never have; even before finding Dhamma. Dhamma set me free at 24 years old. No intoxicants of any kind since. :smile:
Well, obviously it didn't set you free but occupied a niche that's been unoccupied so far.
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