The act of using caffeine to stay awake and energetic is not a foreign concept to most college students. In fact, so many college students rely on the use of this stimulant that the Student Government Association (SGA) uses a portion of its budget to provide free coffee and tea for everyone on campus.
“The reason I think we [SGA] did it [began giving free coffee to students] was because students expressed concern about it,” said Branden Summers, SGA president. “I know the amount of coffee we go through is just outrageous. One time we actually cut back on times [that the coffee was available], and the students weren’t too happy about that, so we changed it back to normal hours. The demand is there.”
Studies show a small amount of caffeine actually improves health and cognitive function. According to Kay Grest, a University Health Center nurse, consuming a small amount of caffeine on a regular basis can actually protect against diseases such as Parkinson’s, colon cancer and Alzheimer’s. However, too much caffeine consumption can actually become counterproductive.
“There is research showing it improves our cognitive function. We’re able to focus and get more out of whatever we are doing,” said Grest. “But if you take too much of it, it can have a counter effect. It can raise your blood pressure and can make you breathe shallow. So when you’re breathing shallow, your brain is getting less oxygen, and you are really, on a behavioral and emotional level, performing less.”
According to Grest, the healthiest option when choosing caffeinated beverages is green tea because of the antioxidants it contains. However, coffee and other caffeinated beverages are also healthy when the proper amount is consumed. 300 milligrams is generally considered a healthy daily dosage of caffeine. This equates to about two to three cups of coffee.
However, Grest advises students to stay away from energy drinks. Many energy drinks contain around 700-800 milligrams of caffeine, much more than considered a healthy serving of caffeine.
Too much caffeine consumption can lead to addiction. Because caffeine can lead to sleep problems, students may not feel refreshed when they awaken, which leads them to consume more coffee.
“If you’re drinking a lot of caffeine, you’re not going to get good sleep at night. If your REM cycle is reduced, you’re not going to wake up feeling fresh,” said Grest. “So, first thing in the morning, you’re going to have to require that coffee to get going. Rather than being refreshed by sleep, you now need a stimulant. When that wears off, come afternoon, you need more stimulant to get going.”
Caffeine interferes with serotonin production, which is also a contributing factor to the addictiveness of the stimulant.
According to the UCLA Arthur Ashe Student Health and Wellness Center, serotonin is a neurotransmitter which helps the body to relax and can affect emotions and behavior. Low serotonin levels are associated with depression, poor appetite and sleep disorders. When caffeine is consumed, serotonin levels are initially lifted. However, those levels fall when the “crash” occurs. Many people look to more caffeine to replete the good feelings associated with serotonin.
This can lead to serotonin deficiency when the body becomes reliant on caffeine to stimulate serotonin production. Caffeine addiction can actually lead to depression and anxiety.
Of course, the occasional caffeine binge during an all-nighter will not likely cause serious harm to the body. However, caffeine does help contribute to the myth that all-nighters are effective.
According to Grest, caffeine provides a false sense of alertness even when the body is exhausted. Studying through the night without getting any sleep in between is counterproductive because REM sleep is what helps the brain retain the information that is reviewed. When there is not a proper amount of REM sleep, it is much more difficult for the brain to retain information, and therefore a student is unlikely to perform up to par the next day.
In short, caffeine in moderation can be wonderful for those who need an extra boost to get through the day. A couple of trips to the SGA office every day may actually do more good than harm. It is only when one becomes overly reliant on caffeine that health risks can occur.