Caffeine Chemical Structure Model-Assembled

Caffeine, also known as 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine, is a purine alkaloid with a molecular structure classified as a trimethyxanthine. Most people know it as a (central nervous system) stimulant commonly found in coffee & tea. It shares important structural similarities with adenosine, a neurotransmitter, which accounts for some its psychoactive effects.

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Caffeine binds to adenosine receptors in the central nervous system that can slow down nerve activity. It also triggers the release of norepinephrine and dopamine, neurotransmitters that increase alertness & energeticness. It may also increase lipolysis, the breakdown of fat, that can induce thermogenesis or heat production due to increased calorie burning. Caffeine extracts are sometimes used as medical supplements for the above reasons as well as appetite suppression.

Bees, like humans, are attracted to caffeine, which they get from caffeinated nectar in plants such as coffee and citrus. Caffeine enhances their memory, helping them remember and revisit caffeinated flowers. It also boosts their immunity without harming their beneficial gut bacteria. While caffeine in high concentrations can be harmful, the low levels in nectar act as a stimulant, similar to how it affects humans. Bees even communicate the location of these plants to others, much like sharing a favorite coffee shop.