Caffeine and its long-term physiological changes For many people, caffeine seems more like a necessity to start the day, or to get through the day, rather than a potentially harmful drug ; however, most do not realize the long-term physiological changes that can occur as reported by several users. According to National Geographic, consumers spend $30 million on caffeine pills and approximately $50 billion on caffeinated beverages each year. Caffeine is a drug and as such brings about changes in the body. When people consume foods or drinks containing caffeine, the body responds by increasing blood pressure, exciting the central nervous system, promoting urine formation, and accelerating the action of the heart and lungs. (Microsoft, 2003) There are many reasons why people use caffeine to get through everyday life, to stay away from it, to overcome migraines, and to lose weight. Caffeine helps reduce migraines by reducing blood flow in the vessels and thus reduces the pain felt from migraines. Caffeine can also increase the effects of painkillers such as aspirin. Caffeine widens the airway passages and helps relieve asthma. (Microsoft, 2003) Caffeine has many immediate positive side effects such as energizing, mood enhancing, and pain relief. Yet most people today don't stop to think about the long-term correlational effects of usage. Studies have discovered a possible relationship between caffeine use and fibrocystic breast disease, kidney, bladder, pancreatic cancer, osteoporosis and birth defects. Caffeine increases a person's blood pressure and, in the long term, can cause an increased chance of heart disease. You need to do more research exactly halfway through the paper.. you need more caffeine to start your day. (Ieid, TR,2005) Most people today will tell you that caffeine is a drug, yet they still use that substance because of the effects achieved through use. References Caffeine. (2003). Microsoft Encarta Reference Library 2003. ©1993-2002 Microsoft Corporation.Coffee – Healthy Liver Tonic? (2005). National CoffeeAssociation.http://www.coffeescience.orgDesign, M. (2005). What is the buzz?. from the National Geographic Society. Website: http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0501/sights_n_sounds/media1.htmlIeid, T. R. (2005). Caffeine: It is the most popular substance in the world. National Geographic, January 2-32 Parliament, Ho and Schieberle (2000). Caffeinated drinks: health benefits, physiological effects and chemistry. Washington, DC: Oxford University Press.