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).