Bibliography

http://hyper.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/43/4/760
Lovallo, William R, 2004. Blood Pressure Response to Caffeine Shows Incomplete Tolerance After Short-Term Regular Consumption. Hypertension; Vol. 43: page 760

http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=4&hid=9&sid=c155cf1d-be56-488a-9e31-296fe7a33d3e%40sessionmgr114&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=aph&AN=44256126#db=aph&AN=38030687
da Costa Miranda, Vanessa, 2009. Effectiveness of Guaraná ( Paullinia cupana) for Postradiation Fatigue and Depression: Results of a Pilot Double-Blind Randomized Study. Ebsco; Vol. 39, pages 813-832

http://www.chinaphar.com/1671-4083/8/217.pdf
Zhang Feng-Luan, Chen Xiu, 1987. Effects of Ginsenosides on Sympathic Neurotransmitter Release in Pithed Rats. Acta Pharmacologica Sinica; Vol. 8: pages 217-220

Conclusion

The purpose of this lab was to understand how different stimulants (caffeine, guaranine, and ginsenosides) affect blood pressure, reaction time, and pupil dilation size. The research question was: How will caffeine, guaranine, and ginsenosides affect the central and peripheral nervous system (Reaction time, blood pressure, and pupil dilation)? It was hypothesized that caffeine would increase reaction time, pupil dilation size, and both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, guaranine would have similar, yet weaker effects than caffeine and ginsenosides would only slightly increase blood pressure and reaction time, but pupil dilation size would be unaffected. First, a subject will take 200 mg of caffeine. The subject will wait 10 minutes. The subject will then have their blood pressure measured. The subject will have their pupil dilation measured. The subject will then have their reaction time measured. He will wait a day. This is then repeated the next day with guaranine and the day after with ginsenosides. Results showed that caffeine raised systolic blood pressure, increased reaction time, and increased pupil dilation size. Similar results occurred with guaranine, yet it was weaker. Ginsenosides decreased blood pressure, greatly increased reaction time, and decreased pupil dilation size.

Results were similar to the hypothesis. With caffeine, average systolic blood pressure increased by 12 psi. With guaranine, average systolic blood pressure increased by 8 psi. With ginsenosides, average systolic blood pressure decreased by 14 psi. Caffeine increased reaction time by 2 cm. Guaranine increased average reaction time by .5 cm. Ginsenosides increased average reaction time by 3 cm. Caffeine increased average pupil dilation size by 3 mm. Guaranine increased average pupil dilation size by 1 mm. Ginsenosides decreased average pupil dilation size by 1.7mm.

Some errors that could have occurred in this lab would be eating something that would have increased blood pressure before taking the stimulant. For example, highly salted foods are known to increase blood pressure. Another error that could have occurred would have been not waiting long enough between the stimulant dosage and the testing.

An extension to this lab would be using a wider variety of stimulants that affect different receptors, such as dimethylamylamine. Another extension to this lab would be using more tests that require the use of the central and peripheral nervous systems. A test that could have been used would be grip strength.

This study is relevant to society because 99% of the U.S. population uses one or more of these stimulants. Many people do not understand that many stimulants change blood pressure. This study also helps people understand that stimulants change pupil dilation size. If somebody is out in the dark, he or she may want to take a stimulant that increases pupil dilation size. Basically, this study can help people choose a stimulant that has little detrimental effects to one's health, yet can help increase reaction time and help people see in the dark by increasing their pupil dilation size.

5-25-10: Pupil Dilation

Just in case somebody was curious how pupil dilation was measured, here are some pictures.

5-25-10: Graph 4

5-25-10: Graph 3

5-25-10: Graph 2

5-25-10: Graph 1

5-25-10: Data Table

Data Table 1: Effects of Different Stimulants on
Subjects' Blood Pressure, Reaction Time, and Pupil Dilation.

5-24-10: Ginseng

Today ginseng was taken and the subjects tested reaction time, blood pressure, and pupil dilation.

5-24-10: Ginseng vs. Control

Subjects who took ginseng had decreased pupil dilation, lower blood pressure, and GREAT reaction time.

5-20-10: Guarana vs. Control

Subjects who ingested guarana showed an increase in diastolic blood pressure. It also showed better reaction time and more pupil dilation than the control, yet less than caffeine.

5-20-10: Guarana

Today we tested 200mg of guarana.

5-19-10: Caffeine vs. Control

With caffeine, systolic pressure increased and diastolic pressure decreased. Reaction time improved. Pupils seem to dilate wider.

5-19-10: Caffeine.

Reaction time, pupil dilation, and blood pressure was tested with subjects under the influence of caffeine.

5-18-10: No Stimulants

The control was tested. The control was no stimulants. Blood pressure, reaction time, and pupil dilation was tested.

Relevancy of Lab: 5-13-10

This lab is particularly interesting because many people consume caffeine, guaranine, and ginsenosides every day. It would be interesting to know how these common stimulants affect the Central and Peripheral Nervous Systems.

Objective of Lab: 5-12-10

The objective of the lab is to observe how caffeine, guaranine, and ginsenosides affect the nervous system.

Hypothesis: 5-12-10

It is hypothesized that caffeine will increase blood pressure, increase pupil dilation size, and increase reaction time. Guaranine will have similar effects as caffeine, but will be less effective at increasing blood pressure, pupil dilation, and reaction time. Since ginsenosides work longer and have less subtle effects, it will be less effective than both of the other stimulants at increasing blood pressure, pupil dilation, and reaction time.

Research Question

How will caffeine, guaranine, and ginsenosides affect the central and peripheral nervous system (Reaction time, blood pressure, and pupil dilation)?

Support from Mrs. Churchill/McDonald

This lab can be done at home, but a few questions may come up. If my group has any questions, we will ask.

Expected Time Line

EXPECTED TIME LINE

How long will it take to set up and design your lab?

-The lab has been designed. The subject will take 200 mg of the stimulant and it's effects will be measured after 10 minutes of the dose in this order: Reaction time, blood pressure, pupil dilation.

How long will it take to collect your data?

-It may take up to 2 weeks to collect the data.

How long will it take to analyze your data?

-It will not take any longer that one week to analyze data.

How long will it take to report your data/finish publishing your lab on your web page?

-The lab should be finished early May.

Methods (2)

Reaction Time: A yardstick will be dropped vertically near the subject's open hand. This will be done 3 times, and the number the subject's index finger touches will be recorded. The average will be found.

Blood Pressure: A blood pressure measuring device will be used.

Pupil Dilation: The subject will have his/her eyes exposed to a flashlight. Then, the subject will be put in a dark room for 2 minutes. A picture will be taken of the subject's eye.

Methods

A subject will take 200 mg of caffeine. He or she will wait 10 minutes. They will have their blood pressure measured. They will then have their pupil dilation size measured. The subject will then have their reaction time measured. They will then wait a day. The above steps will be repeated with guarana extract. The next day, the above steps will be repeated with ginseng extracts.

Materials

1) Blood Pressure Measure
2) Camera
3) 200 mg Caffeine
4) 200 mg Guaranine
5) 200 mg Ginsenosides
6) Yard Stick
7) Ruler that Shows Millimeters

Introduction (2): Stimulant Properties / Background Information

Caffeine is commonly extracted from the plant genus Coffea. It is a stimulant that inhibits the adenosine receptor in the brain. It acts by preventing adenosine from binding to the receptors. Caffeine will be taken in 200mg orally. "Lovallo (2004)gave 97 humans either a placebo or 300-600mg of caffeine and found out that those who took caffeine had greater blood pressure."
Guaranine is commonly extracted from Paullinia cupana. It is a stimulant with a similar chemical structure to caffeine. It also inhibits the A1 adenosine receptor, yet its effects can be differentiated from the effects of caffeine. It will be taken in 200 mg orally. "Vanessa da Costa Miranda (2009) gave guarana to breast-cancer patients, but found out that it had no effect on depression and fatigue."
Ginsenosides are commonly extracted from the plant genus Panax. They are a group of steroid glycosides and triterpine saponins. Ginsenosides effect different receptors in different pathways of the body. It will be taken in 200mg orally."Chen Xiu Zhang Feng-Luan (1987) gave ginsenosides to rats and found that it produced a biphasic effect on blood pressure."

Introduction (1): Overview of the Lab

Joey Azzolino, Andrew Noerr, and Evan Egas (me) will be using a few stimulants and observing how they affect our bodies. We will record reaction time, blood pressure, heart rate, and the pupil's response to light. We will be using caffeine, ginsenosides (from ginseng), and guaranine (from guarana).