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WorldWeird: Throw away your Red Bull...

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    • CommentAuthorroadscum
    • CommentTimeJun 9th 2010
     (8383.1)
    Apparently caffeine provides no net benefit to alertness.
    Even in the depths of my caffeineless misery (i'm not well), i can't believe this is true. Neither can the Reg. Anyone else got any thoughts on it?
  2.  (8383.2)
    i dont drink any of those. when i need to be alert i drink a lot of water and eat fruit...hydration and nutrients are proven over thousands of years. energy drinks just make me sick.

    if i need to be alert, but not sober, i drink whiskey. it somehow perks me up ( but only up to about three shots. after that im just drunk)
  3.  (8383.3)
    I'll state a more complete response after I've read the paper it was based on.
    -also it apparently takes about an hour for the caffeine to really hit your system...I want to know if they took THAT into consideration with the trials, as well as how one can build up a tolerance to it over time. It's also a SMALL sample size for a study. If someone else can replicate it, with the same results, then I'll be more impressed.
  4.  (8383.4)
    Caffeine never had that effect on me, it just makes me feel like shit and get a headache. I always wondered what all the fuss was about.
    •  
      CommentAuthorPaladine
    • CommentTimeJun 9th 2010
     (8383.5)
    Isn't that also because the body gets so quickly accustomed to caffeine, so after two weeks or so, the benefit is pretty much gone?
    • CommentAuthorroadscum
    • CommentTimeJun 9th 2010
     (8383.6)
    They mention tolerance in the article;
    With frequent consumption, substantial tolerance develops to the anxiogenic effect of caffeine, even in genetically susceptible individuals, but no net benefit for alertness is gained, as caffeine abstinence reduces alertness and consumption merely returns it to baseline.

    About a month ago i gave up booze, fags and coffee as part of a slightly desperate attempt to bring my blood pressure down to acceptable levels. I used to start the day with a litre caffetiere of viciously strong coffee and another couple of buckets at work. I missed it a lot when i first stopped but with time the yearning has lessened and i get by fairly happily on water and fruit juice now. Perhaps there is something to this tolerance business. Mind you, i'm not working at the moment, how i'll cope getting up at 3 or 4am without a mug or two of twitch juice could be a completely different story.

    As for Red Bull and its 4 for a quid poundland clones, vile, sickly stuff, only use it in emergencies if i get the nods on a long journey and can't get hold of some decent coffee. Dunno what the good Mr Ellis sees in it meself.
  7.  (8383.7)
    I think people are thinking this study studied something this study didn't study.
    •  
      CommentAuthorLBA
    • CommentTimeJun 9th 2010
     (8383.8)
    you can have it when you pry it from my cold, sluggish, cranky hands!!
  9.  (8383.9)
    I've always found that high levels of caffeine make me jittery, but not any more awake. That's why I love my adderall. It actually helps me stay awake through a whole day. Without it, sleepy time comes every four or five hours.
  10.  (8383.10)
    "Isn't that also because the body gets so quickly accustomed to caffeine, so after two weeks or so, the benefit is pretty much gone? "

    I've heard the alternate theory that within a few weeks you're addicted to it and the "jolt" you feel after your first morning coffee is actually just the withdrawal symptoms receding.
    • CommentAuthorTheDeeMan
    • CommentTimeJun 9th 2010 edited
     (8383.11)
    I can believe that. Caffeine is my crack. I go a day without it and my ass is draggin'. I get that next cup and I'm like my old happy caffeine addicted self again. I mean, just brewing a cup after going without knowing that I'll soon have more makes me feel better. Now that's addiction.

    You want a drug dealer? Try Maxwell House.

    Dee
    ....................................................
    THE CONTINENTALS. Murder, mystery, intrigue, adventure--And steampunk!
  12.  (8383.12)
    LIES


    LIES
    •  
      CommentAuthorrickiep00h
    • CommentTimeJun 9th 2010
     (8383.13)
    I'm actually curious how they measured "alertness." Seems like a pretty subjective thing to me.

    Plus, wasn't there a study that came out like two months ago that said moderate caffeine use increases brain plasticity, and thus, facilitates learning? Maybe my caffeine-addled brain is making that up, but I'm pretty sure it's at least partially beneficial. It may not have the same kick for people that need two cups just to open their eyes in the morning, but that doesn't mean people should just kick it to the curb.
  14.  (8383.14)
    I want to say arent there PET scans that show increased metabolism in the brain after caffeine consumption??
  15.  (8383.15)
    I agree with filthy leader. Caffeine is my perfect drug...
    • CommentAuthorScrymgeour
    • CommentTimeJun 10th 2010
     (8383.16)
    i must say that after 14 cans in two hours i didnt think my alertness went up, i just wanted to cry, and shake and cry....although as long as i also have nicotine it seems to make me concentrate quite well.
  17.  (8383.17)
    I'd say there's a distinction between alertness and awareness/wakefulness the article doesn't draw.
    Sure caffeine keeps you alert, it'll have you barking at cars if you drink enough. But does it actually increase awareness?
    Anyone who's studied all night knows your brain grinds to a halt, with or without, when rosy-fingered dawn arrives and sticks two of them up at you.
  18.  (8383.18)
    Anyone who's studied all night knows your brain grinds to a halt, with or without, when rosy-fingered dawn arrives and sticks two of them up at you.
    Depends on your circadian rhythm, among other factors. Not everyone crashes once light hits and the birds start chirping.

    On the topic of caffeine - mixing as many energy drinks as you can get into an uber-energy drink is not a good idea.
    •  
      CommentAuthorravnos
    • CommentTimeJun 11th 2010
     (8383.19)
    You also have to remember that delicious delicious Red Bull is chock full of vitimins B12 and B6, both of which increase metabolism, which increases energy levels. It's not just the caffeine in a lot of these energy drinks that gives you the *actual* energy boost but vitamins and other less savory things that actually have been proven to increase energy levels (either immediately or over time).

    Also, in agreement with Rootfireember... I'm pretty sure that I've seen reports on PET scans proving that caffeine does give you a mental "pick-me-up." But that was a while ago... and my booze/caffeine/nicotine addled memory gets fuzzy sometimes...
    • CommentAuthorTimbo
    • CommentTimeJun 11th 2010
     (8383.20)
    I always felt that caffeine works pretty well.

    I am unsure if it wakes me up of makes me smarter ( both tricky to achieve in the first place).

    It allegedly works less well the more you use it - therefore requiring you to use more.

    So it is a bit cigs & booze - no problem then.

    That said i am off for a Kawfee right now.

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