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Hypoalgesic effect of caffeine in normotensive men and women

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 January 2002

EDMUND KEOGH  and
GERKE WITT
EDMUND KEOGH
Affiliation:
Goldsmiths College, University of London, London, United Kingdom
GERKE WITT
Affiliation:
Goldsmiths College, University of London, London, United Kingdom
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Abstract

Evidence from both hypertensive and normotensive individuals indicate that elevated blood pressure is associated with decreased pain sensitivity. The current study sought to experimentally raise blood pressure using 250 mg caffeine, and investigate its effects on the cold pressor pain experiences of 25 men and 25 women. In a placebo-controlled repeated-measures experiment, caffeine increased systolic and diastolic blood pressure, as well as producing more clearheaded and energetic feelings. Caffeine produced higher pain threshold and pain tolerance levels compared to placebo, and women had a lower tolerance to pain than men. Finally, a significant association was found between caffeine-related increase in systolic blood pressure and caffeine-related increase in pain tolerance. Furthermore, this association was the strongest in women. These results are discussed in light of future directions for pain and hypertension research.

Keywords

PainHypoalgesiaCaffeineGenderBlood pressureHypertension
Type
Research Article
Information
Psychophysiology , Volume 38 , Issue 6 , November 2001 , pp. 886 - 895
Copyright
© 2001 Society for Psychophysiological Research

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