Drinking coffee in the morning is widely believed to give an energy boost to start daily activities. However, a recent study found that coffee enthusiasts may be more prone to drug addiction. Not all coffee drinkers use drugs, but those who are familiar with coffee may more easily develop a dependence on illicit substances such as cocaine and amphetamines.

This finding comes from researchers at Vermont University, USA, and was published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence. According to the researchers, individuals who respond positively to caffeine—found in coffee and energy drinks—are more likely to respond similarly to other stimulants like amphetamines and cocaine. This may explain why coffee lovers can be more vulnerable to drug addiction.

“People respond to drugs in very different ways. For example, a single dose of a drug may produce completely opposite effects in two individuals—one who loves coffee and another who dislikes it,” explained Professor Stacey Sigmon from Vermont University, as reported by Dailymail on Wednesday, October 12, 2011.

Professor Sigmon emphasized the importance of understanding these differences, as they could be key in determining susceptibility or resistance to drug abuse. Scientists believe that a person’s response to D-amphetamine can indicate how they might react to drugs like cocaine due to similar effects. This study is the first to prospectively examine caffeine’s role in predicting positive subjective effects of other drugs.

“Although this data does not mean all coffee lovers are at risk of becoming cocaine addicts, the study shows that individuals vary greatly in their subjective responses and behaviors toward psychomotor stimulants,” concluded Professor Sigmon.

Source: Info Narkotika