With school starting again, so does the heavy workload, jam-packed schedules, and panic to get everything done. It gets to be a lot to keep up with, and sometimes, we need an extra boost of energy. Many people turn to the fan favorite, ol’ reliable caffeine.
Students turn to caffeine to help them stay alert or concentrated, stay up later, enhance athletic performance, and even suppress appetites.
We hate to break it to you, but caffeine can do more harm than good. Krista Duval, DO, an OhioHealth Primary Care Physician who sees patients at OhioHealth Campus Care at Ohio University, talks about several ways caffeine can negatively affect students.
“Caffeine has addictive properties. Additionally, it can set up a cycle of poor sleep, leading to fatigue and consuming more caffeine, which circles back around to cause poor sleep.”
According to the Alcohol and Drug Foundation, adverse effects include:
- Irritability
- Dehydration and needing to pee more often
- Higher body temperature
- Faster breathing and heart rate
- Headache and lack of concentration
- Stomach pains
- Restlessness, excitability, and dizziness
Trying to stay focused on schoolwork doesn’t sound easy with all that going on. And those are only the more immediate effects. Regular and excessive caffeine consumption can lead to more severe and long-lasting issues.
Long-term effects of caffeine include:
- Anxiety
- Difficulty falling and staying asleep
- Ulcers
- Muscle Tremors
- Weakness and Fatigue
- Irregular heart rate or rhythm
- Low blood pressure with faintness or falls
- Seizures, confusion, or delirium
“It has become the cultural norm to ignore the healthy behaviors that can improve mental clarity and energy levels by trying to use caffeine as a substitute,” said Dr. Duval.
That isn’t worth it for students who have lots of homework and studying to keep up with. How else can we get by without our coffee fix and fun energy drinks? Knowing that tired state of desperation, we wouldn’t try to limit your caffeine without bringing you a solution.
Dr. Duval mentioned a few alternatives to caffeine that may have better results, such as a consistent sleep schedule. “Keeping a consistent sleep routine and allowing for sufficient sleep (8-9 hours a night) goes a long way in helping people break the habit of consuming too much caffeine.”
She also mentions, “Increasing physical activity during the day can also improve memory and concentration, energy levels, and academic performance.”
“The main take home in my mind is people drink caffeine because they think it helps them do better on exams/papers/getting more done. In reality, sleeping well is associated with improved academic performance, exam scores, energy levels, and mental health.”
“Some people are using caffeine to increase their energy. In those situations, ensuring they get sufficient and consistent sleep, and adequate food and water intake is more effective than using caffeine. Some people may like the ritual of preparing a hot beverage and taking time to enjoy it. In that case, tea or decaffeinated coffee could be a good alternative.”
About the Authors
College 101 is a collaborative series between OhioHealth Marketing and Communications Interns Zora Shakhan and Emma Britton.
