The most common and LEGAL psychoactive substance in the World!
…is nothing else but CAFFEINE!
Also called theine (when extracted from tea), mateine (if taken out from mate) or guaranine (when extracted from guarana), 1,3,7-trimethylxantine, trimethylbromide… It’s systematic name is: 1,3,7-trimethyl-1H-purine-2,6(3H,7H)-dione.
No wonder it has so many names as it is also one of the oldest mind affecting substance used by mankind. Known to help stay awake longer it was and is also used to reduce physical tiredness and restore mind alertness, think faster and clearer, increase focus and improve body coordination.
Caffeine is absorbed from stomach and intestine in 45 minutes after ingestion (so will not work instantly while you drink it!!!). It affects both central nervous system and body metabolism by stimulating them, the full mechanism is quite well known at present and is based on false transmitter antagonism, as caffeine is similar to adenosine, which is a part of lots of crucial metabolic substances (e.g. ATP) and also one of building bricks of DNA.
Known to have lots of side effects (restlessness, loss of fine motor control, headaches, dizziness…) it is still legal and according to statistics the most commonly used psychotropic substance in the world.
The minimum lethal dose is 3,200 mg, but LD50 is around 15 grams. Cup of coffee contains about 135 mg of caffeine, energy drinks can have from 50 to 80 mg per serve and popular sparkling drinks have 30-60 mg/L.
…Hmmm, I couldn’t have written that without a cup of coffee myself 