WHAT IS CAFFEINE? Caffeine is the most popular drug on the globe. It is a powerful stimulant to the Central Nervous System. HOW DOES CAFFEINE WORK? Caffeine affects the CNS causing more alertness and allowing for more intense focus. The chemical structure of caffeine is very similar to that of adenine (a component of ATP, DNA, and cyclic AMP). Only the substituents are different. This helps explain caffeine's stimulating effects. It is really close to being an energy metabolite in and of itself! Because of the structural similarities, caffeine can slip right into adenosine receptors, keeping cyclic AMP active rather than it being broken down. When cyclic AMP breaks down, the body's energy supply decreases. Because caffeine fools the body into using enzymes to break it down instead, the cyclic AMP supply remains higher for longer. I bet you always wanted to know that. CAN CAFFEINE BE USED AS A DIURETIC? Caffeine can be used (temporarily) as a mild diuretic. Mild diuretic: 100 - 200 mg, every 3 - 4 hours, as needed, not to exceed 800 mg every 24 hours