Caffeine - does it really help?

JerryMungo

JerryMungo

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This episode includes very interesting facts on moderate intensity exercise, pain killers, salt, fatty foods, vaping, sugar, caffeine, etc...
20:32 is where the Caffeine piece kicks off - this was my main interest. Does caffeine really help or harm (long term) your performance.

[video=dailymotion;x2gqkni]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2gqkni[/video]

Here are some of the results:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/art...N7/what-does-caffeine-really-do-to-our-brains

On the first tests, the caffeine drinkers performed worse than the non-caffeine drinkers. Their reaction times were slower, they were sleepier and less mentally alert. Without caffeine, they were suffering from caffeine withdrawal. It’s why many of us reach for caffeine first thing: we need it to get us going and bring us back up to our normal speed and normal focus.

Then came the second batch of tests, after the volunteers had been given a drink either containing caffeine, or a placebo.

The placebo drink, with no caffeine, did not affect the volunteers’ results at all – although those that were caffeine addicts carried on getting worse at the tasks as they slumped deeper into withdrawal.

For those that got a caffeine fix, the results were different:

The volunteers who normally drink caffeine came out of withdrawal, but all it really did was bring their mental performance closer to normal levels, where the non-users had started.

For those who didn’t normally drink caffeine, the caffeine dose did make them feel slightly more alert but it also made several of them feel anxious and it made their hands shake.

The only measure that improved very slightly when people took caffeine was the speed at which they could press the space bar on a keyboard. It seems that caffeine may slightly boost the speed of physical movements – but it turns out that its effects on the brain are not what you might have thought.

All our results were in line with those found in a far larger experiment run by Prof Rogers and his team, so the conclusions are relatively secure.

This experiment has revealed the uncomfortable truth about caffeine. Although it can keep you from falling asleep, it doesn’t make your brain work any better, and you can very quickly become dependent on it, performing significantly below par unless you have your fix. Then there’s the significant side-effects of shaky hands and anxiety.
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Last edited:
backstreetboy said:
:confused: there suppose to be a video?
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Perhaps it's blocked on your side or perhaps you're using tapatalk?

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Here's the link:
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2gqkni_trust-me-i-m-a-doctor-s02-e03_school
 
That was absolutely fascinating. Sad about the caffeine though - but at least I can chew gum :D
 
Consuming only about four cups of coffee a month on average, I can certainly feel a difference after drinking a cup. Although there is no anxiety of trembling hands, only feeling energised and focused. Strong coffee, like an espresso macchiato, enhances those feelings of good, mental and physical wellbeing.
 
Jings said:
Consuming only about four cups of coffee a month on average, I can certainly feel a difference after drinking a cup. Although there is no anxiety of trembling hands, only feeling energised and focused. Strong coffee, like an espresso macchiato, enhances those feelings of good, mental wellbeing.
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I live on energy drinks - very bad I know. But that is how I get through the day
 
Tribble69 said:
I live on energy drinks - very bad I know. But that is how I get through the day
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Is there a healthier alternative? For me, it's caffeine free sachets of energy in liquid or water soluble energy tablets with vitamins. Exercise is the best energy booster though.
 
Jings said:
Is there a healthier alternative? For me, it's caffeine free sachets of energy in liquid or water soluble energy tablets with vitamins. Exercise is the best energy booster though.
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I agree that is the better option - but currently getting between 3 and 4 hours sleep a night. 5 if I am really lucky. And I sit behind a PC most of the day too.
 
Tribble69 said:
I agree that is the better option - but currently getting between 3 and 4 hours sleep a night. 5 if I am really lucky. And I sit behind a PC most of the day too.
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In that case you nerd more sleep rather than more caffeine.
 
Jings said:
Consuming only about four cups of coffee a month on average, I can certainly feel a difference after drinking a cup. Although there is no anxiety of trembling hands, only feeling energised and focused. Strong coffee, like an espresso macchiato, enhances those feelings of good, mental and physical wellbeing.
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Apparently the fact is it deals with your withdrawals which create the negative effect... bringing you back to normal.
 
Jings said:
Possibly regular coffee drinkers can vouch on withdrawals. How often do you drink coffee?
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Ah, of course, you mentioned you are an occasional drinker. So the benefit is pretty much moot. I used to be 3 cups a day but can't get out of bed in the mornings when I'm on caffeine so I've switched it off.
 
Heavyonthemagick said:
Ah, of course, you mentioned you are an occasional drinker. So the benefit is pretty much moot. I used to be 3 cups a day but can't get out of bed in the mornings when I'm on caffeine so I've switched it off.
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In that case the research pretty much supports your experience when drinking coffee daily.
 
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