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Caffeine

1,3,7-Trimethylxanthine

The most widely consumed psychoactive substance on Earth. Acts primarily as a competitive antagonist of adenosine receptors, indirectly raising dopamine, norepinephrine, and acetylcholine signaling — producing wakefulness, alertness, and mild euphoria.

stimulant
THREE-DIMENSIONAL STRUCTURE

The molecule, in space.

Atoms positioned in their lowest-energy 3D geometry, sourced from PubChem. Drag to rotate · scroll to zoom · switch between stick, sphere, and line representations to feel the shape from different angles.

3D structure · PubChem CID 2519 · drag to rotate · scroll to zoom
SMILES NOTATION
CN1C=NC2=C1C(=O)N(C(=O)N2C)C
PubChem CID 2519 →
RECEPTOR PROFILE

The pharmacological targets through which this compound exerts its effects.

Adenosine A1 antagonistAdenosine A2A antagonistPhosphodiesterase inhibitor (at high doses)
NATURAL SOURCES

Living organisms in which this compound is naturally found.

REFERENCES
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RELATED MOLECULES

Other other alkaloids

All compounds →