![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Jamal Spelling on August 17, 2007, at 5:06:22
When I drink coffee, I become more sociable. What could be the neurochemical explanation for this? Can this phenomenon be replicated with any prescription medicines?
Jamal
Posted by Jamal Spelling on August 17, 2007, at 6:45:36
In reply to Coffee and sociability, posted by Jamal Spelling on August 17, 2007, at 5:06:22
Well, duh, I suppose the logical answer would be caffeine tablets.
But just how safe is caffeine really? When I have too much coffee, my body feels poisoned. It seems like such a dirty substance to me...
Jamal
Posted by Honore on August 17, 2007, at 10:50:33
In reply to Re: Coffee and sociability, posted by Jamal Spelling on August 17, 2007, at 6:45:36
Latest indications are that coffee contains anti-oxidants and is probably not bad for you, and may be somewhat good for you.
Maybe the mechanism of sociability is that coffee is a stimulants, and has a small anti-depressant effect (before you become habituated to a certain dose anyway). This could lead you to have more energy and be in a better mood therefore be more sociable when people are around.
Honore
Posted by jhj on August 18, 2007, at 4:41:24
In reply to Re: Coffee and sociability » Jamal Spelling, posted by Honore on August 17, 2007, at 10:50:33
Good explanation.I have social anxiety from childhood and i quite confidently can say that coffee makes anxiety go up and makes it worse.As far as new reports of coffee are concerned,you would every alternate day read either that coffee is good or it is bad.But,unfortunately i have more then 20 years of experience of severe social phobia and my experience clearly suggest that it makes anxiety worse.
Posted by blueboy on August 18, 2007, at 9:47:13
In reply to Coffee and sociability, posted by Jamal Spelling on August 17, 2007, at 5:06:22
Do you take cream and sugar, or eat starchy foods when you drink coffee?
Posted by Jamal Spelling on August 18, 2007, at 11:06:25
In reply to Re: Coffee and sociability, posted by blueboy on August 18, 2007, at 9:47:13
Posted by rina on August 18, 2007, at 16:20:15
In reply to Re: MmmYesss, sssugar (nm) » blueboy, posted by Jamal Spelling on August 18, 2007, at 11:06:25
It's weird because this is another thing that I think effects people differently. I've been drinking coffee for about 15years and it aids socially for me as well and actually decreases anxiety. Strange huh? I don't take sugar. Just expresso and half/half.
Posted by elanor roosevelt on August 20, 2007, at 20:36:05
In reply to Re: MmmYesss, sssugar, posted by rina on August 18, 2007, at 16:20:15
Coffee is a wonderful stimulant
Stay with it but don't drink it throughout the day
That way you can target the times you desire the effect
Posted by rina on August 20, 2007, at 23:23:17
In reply to if it ain't broken, posted by elanor roosevelt on August 20, 2007, at 20:36:05
thanks elanor!
Posted by jhj on August 21, 2007, at 1:09:03
In reply to if it ain't broken, posted by elanor roosevelt on August 20, 2007, at 20:36:05
Is it the case really? i take three-four cups of coffees in a day.I have dysthymia and anxiety for at least 15 years.I have not found coffee stimulant let alone "wonderful" stimulant and it clearly increses anxiety.
Posted by rina on August 22, 2007, at 14:12:58
In reply to Re: if it ain't broken-elanor, posted by jhj on August 21, 2007, at 1:09:03
For some with increased anxiety to begin with, it will agitate the person even more but to some it can prove to be effectively stimulating or just the same energizing. I like it for the taste and the energizing effect. Although, since I drink so much of it(10-15cup/day) my body is quite tolerant to it. I can actually drink a cup before bed.
Posted by psychobot5000 on August 23, 2007, at 11:27:23
In reply to Coffee and sociability, posted by Jamal Spelling on August 17, 2007, at 5:06:22
> When I drink coffee, I become more sociable. What could be the neurochemical explanation for this? Can this phenomenon be replicated with any prescription medicines?
>
> JamalWell, since coffee is a mess of different chemicals, it's hard to know exactly what's going on, but I'd recommend trying the caffeine tablets, to see whether that had the same effect--that ought to tell you whether it's the caffeine alone that's helping you.
But assuming it's the caffeine, the prescription alternatives are the stimulants (methylphenidate/ritalin, or amphetamine/adderall/dexedrine). I doubt your doc would be at all willing to give you one of them for sociability, though, since it's not an indication and they're very sensitive about those meds.
Psychbot
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.