On this page: What is caffeine? Caffeine is a plant product that is most commonly found in coffee beans, tea, soft drinks, cocoa and chocolate. Caffeine is also found in some prescription and non-prescription drugs, including cold, allergy and pain relievers.

All drugs of abuse activate the dopamine system in the reward pathway. Javascript is required to view this content. Dr. Glen Hanson A quick introduction to the many drugs of abuse and their effects on the body. Within seconds of entering the body, drugs cause dramatic changes to synapses in the brain.

Drinking alcohol in moderation by underage persons has not been demonstrated to cause brain impairment; research on heavy drinking by rats and alcohol-dependent persons may or may not apply to light and moderate drinking by those under age 21. Drinking by young Jews, Italians, Greeks, Portuguese, Spaniards and others fails to indicate brain impairment among these groups.

Auburn, Feb. 6---Alcohol: a brain food?No, it's not quite as dramatic as that, though scientists are reasonably sure moderate alcohol consumption may reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. How? They're not certain, although some suspect the benefits may stem from alcohol's effect in expanding arteries and aiding blood flow.