How does caffeine make your heart beat faster?
In: Biology
Caffeine is a stimulant: a class of compounds that *stimulate* the body. It triggers a reaction in the brain which is interpreted as ‘get ready for action’. In effect your brain will prepare your body in a number of ways: it increases your heart rate (so you can run/fight faster and longer), sharpens your senses (so you can spot threats sooner), and increases overall alertness (improving your chances at spotting escape routes, weapons, …). As such it’s quite similar to other stimulants such as your body’s own adrenaline, which the brain itself releases when under stress, and taurine, which is used in both energy drinks and certain medication.
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