Addiction means a dysfunctional use of a drug that has taken control of a person's life. Dependence is associated with cravings, steadily increased doses and difficulty in stopping use. Caffeine is not addictive, nor does it fit the criteria of dependency, since only minor side effects are realized when it is withheld. The Food and Drug Administration and AMA consider caffeine to be a safe ingredient. Good to the last drop Danny Thomas' old closing line on Maxwell House coffee commercials may be a little more correct than he thought.
Caffeine is an ingredient in medications used to treat migraine headaches.
Its action temporarily narrows blood vessels and encourages the dormant stomach to begin digestion, thus absorbing medications better. A Mayo Clinic study indicates two to three cups of coffee a day may protect against getting a migraine. Caffeine might reduce the risks of gallstones and kidney stones by helping dissolve mineral deposits. A study recently concluded that men who drank no coffee were two to three times more likely to develop Parkinson's Disease. It helps the body release stored fat to use as energy and shed a few pounds by raising the metabolic rate.