Do you and your friends wake up every morning (or afternoon) stumbling toward the kitchen in your rentals in Athens Ohio to make coffee, certain you can’t possibly be awake until that first jolt of caffeine finds its way into your brain?
Caffeine is a cherished study aid for most college students. No doubt, you believe you could not possibly prepare for a test or write a paper without it.
So what’s the reality about studying while caffeinated? Myth or fact – does it really increase your concentration, or does it just jazz you up so much you think you’re absorbing more than you really are?
Caffeine’s Effects
Caffeine may be milder than amphetamines, but it’s still a substance that, like a drug, revs you up. Effects vary with the user. For some people, three-four cups of coffee or strong black tea will have little effect beyond a mild buzz, while others may experience palpitations.
For most caffeine users, the quick burst of energy that caffeine provides improves their focus. It works as a psychoactive stimulant, boosting concentration and memory, although some research suggests it may short-circuit short-term memory. Studies also show it impairs our ability to repeat overheard words.
The positive effects of caffeine appear mostly in persons aged 26 to 64 – so keep that in mind if you’re still on the youthful side, and keep your consumption under the recommended 300 mg a day.