Caffeine – Pseudo-Drug Effect
Max Müller
2026-03-22
7 min. read
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Caffeine and its breakdown products exhibit invigorating effects. They are responsible for the diminution of fatigue induced by adenosine by blocking its specific receptors. Caffeine, due to its performance-enhancing properties, is frequently utilized by athletes (which is confirmed by the frequency of detection in the urine of professionals). In 2004, it was removed from the list of banned doping substances by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Characteristic consequences associated with caffeine intake can even occur under the influence of the mere awareness of its consumption, which is referred to as the placebo effect of caffeine.
The placebo effect of caffeine and psychoactive performance
Some studies show that consuming 1-2 cups of coffee per day contributes to improving cognitive impairments (L. Wu et al. 2017). Coffee can have a positive effect on the prevention of Alzheimer's, although, as P. London et al. describe, some studies in this area provide uncertain outcomes. However, caffeine and thus coffee itself have many benefits. It is widely believed that coffee has a positive effect on the treatment of cognitive impairments, especially in individuals who require concentration and strengthening. An example of this is that decaffeinated coffee significantly enhances the motor skills of individuals who reported expecting this effect (I. Kirsch and L. Weixel). A study published in the journal "Human Psychopharmacology" also confirms the existence of this phenomenon. Participants who believed that they had received coffee with caffeine (though they had actually received a decaffeinated beverage) performed much better in a test assessing psychomotor vigilance than those who knew what they were drinking.
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