Caffeine: cognitive and physical performance enhancer or psychoactive drug?

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#athletic-performance #caffeine #central-nervous-system-stimulants #drug-utilization #humans

Caffeine: cognitive and physical performance enhancer or psychoactive drug?

Cappelletti et al., 2015 | Curr Neuropharmacol | Meta Analysis

Citation

Cappelletti Simone, Piacentino Daria, ... Aromatario Mariarosaria. Caffeine: cognitive and physical performance enhancer or psychoactive drug?. Curr Neuropharmacol. 2015-Jan;13(1):71-88. doi:10.2174/1570159X13666141210215655

Abstract

Caffeine use is increasing worldwide. The underlying motivations are mainly concentration and memory enhancement and physical performance improvement. Coffee and caffeine-containing products affect the cardiovascular system, with their positive inotropic and chronotropic effects, and the central nervous system, with their locomotor activity stimulation and anxiogenic-like effects. Thus, it is of interest to examine whether these effects could be detrimental for health. Furthermore, caffeine abuse and dependence are becoming more and more common and can lead to caffeine intoxication, which puts individuals at risk for premature and unnatural death. The present review summarizes the main findings concerning caffeine's mechanisms of action (focusing on adenosine antagonism, intracellular calcium mobilization, and phosphodiesterases inhibition), use, abuse, dependence, intoxication, and lethal effects. It also suggests that the concepts of toxic and lethal doses are relative, since doses below the toxic and/or lethal range may play a causal role in intoxication or death. This could be due to caffeine's interaction with other substances or to the individuals' preexisting metabolism alterations or diseases.

Key Findings

This could be due to caffeine's interaction with other substances or to the individuals' preexisting metabolism alterations or diseases.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Athletic Performance
  • Caffeine
  • Central Nervous System Stimulants
  • Drug Utilization
  • Humans
  • Nootropic Agents
  • Substance-Related Disorders

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review
  • Vertical: caffeine

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-10