Question

Your friend who used to drink 4 large coffees every day decides to cut down to a single coffee per day as their New Year's Resolution. On January 2nd they call you: 'I've already had my large coffee, but I'm having such a headache right now.'' You tell them it is because of:

a. Rebound Adenosine inhibition
b. Excessive sympathetic nervous system inhibition
c. Rebound vasodilation of cerebral vessels
d. Increased ADH secretion causing increased fluid volume and blood pressure

Answer 1

The headache your friend is experiencing after cutting down on their caffeine intake is due to Rebound Adenosine inhibition. When your friend consumed a large amount of caffeine regularly, the adenosine receptors in their brain became desensitized, leading to a dependence on caffeine for alertness. The correct option is a.

Step-by-step explanation:

The headache your friend is experiencing after cutting down on their caffeine intake is due to Rebound Adenosine inhibition.

Caffeine is thought to block the activity of adenosine, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate sleep and wakefulness.

When your friend consumed a large amount of caffeine regularly, the adenosine receptors in their brain became desensitized, leading to a dependence on caffeine for alertness.

When your friend abruptly reduced their caffeine intake, the adenosine receptors in their brain became overactive, causing a rebound effect.

This leads to vasoconstriction and an increase in blood pressure, which can result in a headache. The correct option is a.