BBC Inside Science What does caffeine do to our bodies?
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Oct 2, 2025 
In this engaging discussion, Caroline Steele, a BBC science journalist, shares new research highlights while Daniel Levitin, a cognitive psychologist and neuroscientist, explores music's therapeutic potential. They delve into how caffeine affects our bodies, especially children, and the risks linked to energy drinks. Levitin discusses how rhythm can aid in stuttering and Parkinson's rehabilitation by restoring timing. The duo also touches on music's role in dopamine release and its effectiveness as a complement to traditional medicine.
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Caffeine Is A Powerful Drug Not A Nutrient
- Caffeine is a pharmacological agent taken up by almost every cell and tissue in the body.
- Tiny amounts produce wide-ranging, potent physiological effects that aren't like ordinary nutrients.
Children Need Dose Per Kilogram And Developmental Caution
- There is limited experimental data on children's caffeine responses because trials are ethically and practically constrained.
- Children are smaller and developing, so milligrams per kilogram and developmental timing matter more than absolute dose.
Limit Teenagers' Access To Strong Caffeine
- Avoid giving large, strong caffeinated beverages to teenagers because their size and development increase risk.
- Support restrictions on high-caffeine drinks for under-16s even if coffee remains available elsewhere.
