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How habitual caffeine consumption and dose influence flavour preference conditioning with caffeine
Elizabeth M Tinley1, Paula J Durlach, Martin R Yeomans
1Department of Psychology, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9QG, UK.
Physiology & Behavior
|July 28, 2004
Summary
Caffeine reinforces flavor preference changes in habitual consumers, but not in non-consumers. This effect was dose-dependent, supporting caffeine
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Caffeine is a widely consumed psychoactive substance.
- Understanding caffeine's effects on learning and preference is crucial.
- The role of habitual use in caffeine's reinforcing properties is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how habitual caffeine consumption and dose influence caffeine's ability to reinforce conditioned flavor preferences.
- To compare these effects in moderate caffeine consumers versus non/low-dose consumers.
Main Methods:
- Two groups of participants (habitual caffeine consumers and non/low-dose consumers) rated novel fruit teas.
- A median-rated tea was conditioned with placebo, 1 mg/kg, or 2 mg/kg of caffeine.
- Tea pleasantness was reevaluated after conditioning sessions.
Main Results:
- Non/low-dose consumers showed increased liking for non-caffeinated tea, with no change for caffeinated teas.
- Habitual consumers' liking decreased for non-caffeinated tea but increased significantly at 1 mg/kg caffeine.
- A tendency for increased pleasantness was observed at 2 mg/kg caffeine in habitual consumers.
Conclusions:
- 1.0 mg/kg of caffeine reinforces flavor pleasantness changes in acutely withdrawn habitual consumers.
- Caffeine did not reinforce flavor changes in non-consumers or low-dose consumers.
- Findings support the negative reinforcement theory of conditioning with caffeine.