Coffee is an essential drink for a lot of people around the world. Many even claim that they can’t function properly without their daily caffeine fix. Who could blame them, though?
This delicious drink is simple yet versatile. Whether you drink it hot or over ice, plain or with all sorts of other ingredients, coffee is a great drink to have. But aside from giving you an energy kick, this drink helps manage pain.
Find out more about caffeine’s contribution to pain management. You might just find a new appreciation for this drink.
Caffeine and Its Effect on Pain Management
If you look at certain analgesics, you will notice that they often contain caffeine. This is because the chemical composition of this stimulant acts as an adjuvant when mixed with different agents. Classified as a central nervous system stimulant, caffeine can block adenosine receptors which prevent drowsiness. Additionally, caffeine encourages the release of dopamine and beta-endorphins in the body, making it an effective pain dampener.
Some people have taken to drinking coffee with their pain-relief medication to increase the latter’s effectiveness. Studies have shown that doing so helped patients feel relief by at least five percent more than when they took their medication with water.
These results have made coffee a popular drink for people who experience chronic pain. Although the drink can’t completely rid them of what they’re feeling, it offers them some relief in their daily lives. A good example of how well caffeine acts as additional pain relief is when it’s used to treat migraines. Cancer patients also drink coffee to relieve them of their aches while they’re undergoing chemotherapy.
How to Avoid Caffeine Tolerance
Although caffeine is effective in enhancing the effects of pain medication, habitual consumption of the drink can dampen its effects. Much like other substances, excessive consumption causes the body to build up a tolerance. Over time, a cup of coffee will no longer be enough to benefit from its pain-relieving effect.
If you are using coffee as a supplement for your analgesic, consider limiting your intake to when it is only necessary. This will help you prevent your body from building a tolerance. Additionally, it keeps you from doubling or tripling your caffeine intake just to feel its effects again.
Making the Most of Caffeine
Effective caffeine consumption is the key to benefiting from its stimulating effects. Consider these tips on how to make the most out of every cup.
- If you drink more than a cup a day, consider spreading it out. This allows the caffeine to spread out more steadily in your body.
- Try hydrating with a glass of water before drinking your coffee. This will increase your energy and lets you savor the caffeine for longer.
- Switch to decaf if you are worried about overconsumption. Rather than drinking regular coffee every day, consider drinking it only when necessary.
- If you’re drinking coffee mostly for its pain-relieving effects, try drinking tea for your daily cup. This lowers your intolerance to coffee and helps you feel its full effect when you do drink it.
Although caffeine’s effects on people vary, it has helped several manage their pain. If you’re looking for some relief when a headache hits, consider brewing yourself a fresh cup of coffee. It will help dull the pain while keeping you awake and alert for the rest of your day.
