Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832), Friedrich Ferdinand Runge (1795–1867)
The worldwide popularity of coffee, tea, cocoa, mate, and cola-containing soft drinks can be traced to their stimulating properties—properties attributed to their caffeine content. Caffeine is the world’s most commonly used stimulant, and indeed, the leading behaviorally active drug. As one Turkish proverb says, “Coffee should be black as Hell, strong as death, and sweet as love.”
GOETHE’S GIFT TO SCIENCE. In 1819, an unknown twenty-five-year-old German chemist named Friedrich Ferdinand Runge met seventy-year-old Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, the most important writer in the German language. In addition to his diverse works of literature, Goethe authored a number of scientific treatises on plant morphology and color. During this meeting, Goethe presented Runge with a gift of Arabian mocha coffee beans, from which, months later, the young chemist extracted one of the first alkaloids: caffeine.
What effects are we likely to see after ½-2 cups of coffee (50–200 mg of caffeine), two cans of a cola beverage (12 oz. can /35–45 mg of caffeine), or one “stay-awake” pill (100–200 mg/pill)? Our mood brightens and mental alertness increases, while any feelings of drowsiness and fatigue dissipate. Our intelligence does not increase, but, as countless students can attest, our attention span lengthens. Physical endurance also increases. Doses much above 200 mg do not further improve mental or physical performance; rather, they have detrimental effects due to nervousness, tremors, and irregular or rapid heartbeats.
When multiple cups of coffee or energy drinks (12 oz./50–70 mg of caffeine) become a regular, daily ritual, tolerance develops and the stimulating effects of caffeine diminish. In addition, the body becomes physically dependent upon the presence of caffeine, as evidenced by withdrawal symptoms, which generally appear 12–24 hours after the last drink. These are relatively mild and may include irritability, nervousness, and a characteristic throbbing headache. With fresh caffeine input, the symptoms rapidly disappear. When used in moderation, however, caffeine is a very safe drug.
SEE ALSO Tea (2737 BCE), Coffee (c. 800), Alkaloids (1806).
Coffee’s popularity is attributed not only to its appealing aroma and taste but also to the mental and physical uplift its caffeine provides.