Pain

Impact of coffee and caffeine on pain

• Caffeine is often an ingredient in popular pain relievers
• When caffeine is included in pain relievers it can make them up to 40% more effective.
• Caffeine can help to make painkillers work faster and for longer.
• Caffeine also helps to reduce inflammation, which can provide relief.
• Caffeine delivers pain relief via two distinct mechanisms: firstly, it exerts peripheral action, or relief at the site of the injury. Secondly, caffeine has a huge effect on the Central Nervous System (CNS).
• However, having a tolerance to caffeine, i.e. drinking it regularly, can reduce the effectiveness of it’s pain killing properties^{1, 2}

The benefits of caffeine on pain are due to the anti-inflammatory properties it holds. Caffeine is included in many pain relievers, as it can make them up to 40% more effective, and studies have shown the last longer and work faster. Caffeine delivers pain relief via two distinct mechanisms: firstly, it exerts peripheral action, or relief at the site of the injury. In doing so, the caffeine acts directly on the muscle tissue, relieving pain by repairing tissue damage and reducing inflammation. Secondly, caffeine has a huge effect on the Central Nervous System (CNS) that results in the blocking of the pain signals between the CNS and the brain, and also increases the effects of the body’s own natural pain killing mechanisms.

Sources

              ¹ WebMD - Caffeine Can Treat Migraines or Trigger Headaches, How to Avoid Rebound Headaches. 

            ² Caffeine Informer - Caffeine Reduces Muscle Pain