(From Science Daily) Caffeine is a stimulant drug, although legal, and adults use it widely to perk themselves up: Being “addicted” to caffeine is considered perfectly normal. But how strong is caffeine’s appeal in young people who consume an abundance of soft drinks? What impact does acute and chronic caffeine consumption have on their blood pressure, heart rate and hand tremor?

Furthermore, does consuming caffeinated drinks during adolescence contribute to later use of legal or illicit drugs?

Jennifer L. Temple, PhD, a neurobiologist, assistant professor of exercise and nutrition sciences at the University at Buffalo and director of its Nutrition and Health Research Laboratory, is looking for answers to these three questions through a 4-year, $800,000 study funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Read more here: Addictive Effects of Caffeine on Kids Being Studied