Fragrant, freshly brewed coffee is a real invigorating elixir of life. It seems that a cup of this drink of the gods is able to create a miracle with the body: revive, inspire, give strength and cheer up. But the energy obtained from a sip of the drink, unfortunately, is not endless. Sooner or later, you will collapse from impotence and lack of sleep. When will this happen? When caffeine stops working.
The attitude of mankind to coffee is like a literary cliché: if you feel lack of sleep, have a cup of a fragrant hot drink! A pleasant burst of energy is certainly felt, but is it right?
The fact that caffeine has a short-term effect on the body was proved by a research group of scientists who presented the results of experiments in 2016 in their speech at the Congress of the American Professional Somnological Communities in Denver. Scientists in their work D. C. Cooper, T. J. Doty "The Effects of Caffeine" very accurately determined the period during which coffee acts on the body, that is, the time during which the coffee lover remains active after the next sip of the drink.
The essence of the experiment
The research team was led by Tracy Doty of the Walter Reed Institute. It was she who suggested and proved her theory: the longer a person does not get enough rest and sleep, the less he is charged from coffee, that is, the caffeine stops working in vain.
Only 48 people agreed to experience experimental actions on themselves. They were divided into the first and second groups.
All participants from both groups got enough sleep seven days before the start of the experiment - 10 hours out of 24. From the first day of the experiment, they reduced their sleep to five hours. This lasted less than a week - five days. The first group in the morning and at lunchtime drank two cups of strong coffee, containing 200 mg of caffeine. The second group did not receive caffeine, but a placebo. During all days, the subjects were tested and their reactions were checked, their mood and desire to sleep were assessed.
At first, people who drank coffee were noticeably more effective in performing movements associated with the speed of human reaction, they demonstrated vigor and endurance, in contrast to those who were on placebo.
Three nights passed, and the lack of sleep made itself felt. On the fourth day, the test results of the first group were equal to those of the second group. Surprisingly, the first group had a higher degree of irritability and seemed to be more tired compared to the second group, which did not drink coffee at all.
Indisputable evidence
Thus, it was proved that four cups of a fragrant natural drink a day help to restore strength and vigor, but just three days without sleep not only does not neutralize the positive effect, but also leads to conflicts, stress and chronic fatigue.
That is, caffeine is nothing more than a short-term relief from the problem.
What is the effect of coffee, as explained by Tracy Doty:
- The neurotransmitter in the body itself calculates how much coffee will affect when overworked. It's called adenosine.
- The person did not get enough sleep - the level of the neurotransmitter adenosine increased in the brain. It binds to its receptors to induce the urge to sleep.
- The person drank coffee and blocked adenosine receptors. That is, in fact, the "tricky substance" caffeine has taken the place of adenosine.
- But the body continues to experience a lack of sleep, and after a few days coffee stops working, not coping with the task. Because the adenosine level has gone up so much.
Thus, within a day or two, coffee may well save, but its abuse with lack of sleep will lead to bad consequences. Coffee stimulates the brain if you are short on sleep, and even briefly improves your mood. But the best way to deal with tough days is to get a good night's sleep while recuperating naturally. If we all the more, a small cup of coffee has a stronger effect on a slept person and does not leave consequences in the form of irritability and negativity.
When a cup of coffee starts to work
For each organism, coffee acts in its own way. Its effect depends on a combination of factors:
- brew strength
- volume of drunk
- human weight
- fullness of the stomach
- human physical activity
The effect of the drunk coffee does not begin at once. Interestingly, doctors recommend drinking a glass of plain water after drinking a cup to dissolve the caffeine concentrate in the body. And then after half an hour the person will feel the expected effect:
- mood improves;
- concentration of attention increases;
- brain activity is growing;
- the level of observation also becomes high.
When coffee stops working
Caffeine that has entered the body ceases to affect its activity on average after 4-5 hours. But the end of the action is different for everyone: someone starts to yawn, someone feels nervous, and someone has an irresistible desire to take a nap.
It is important to remember that various diseases can develop from an overdose of coffee, since caffeine puts a great strain on the cardiovascular system and kidneys.
To whom coffee is contraindicated
Caffeine is almost a medicinal stimulant of the central nervous system, so it, like other similar substances, is contraindicated in those who:
- regularly experiences insomnia;
- has an unstable nervous system, that is, it is easily excitable and instantly loses its temper;
- is sick with atherosclerosis;
- suffers from high blood pressure (coffee increases it even more);
- who are diagnosed with diseases of the cardiovascular system;
- has a diagnosis of glaucoma;
- sick with polycystic disease;
- elderly people.
Proven coffee facts
- Caffeine is considered a narcotic drug (albeit very "weak" compared to its "brethren").
- The stimulant is addictive. But caffeine, like sweets, energy drinks and fast food, makes you want to use it again, besides, caffeine in different doses is also found in some other products (that is, it is used imperceptibly and unconsciously), and this is fraught with health problems, mental state and overweight.
- Tablet coffee is absolutely equal in effect to its counterpart in a cup. Just drinking a cappuccino with lush creamy foam and a piece of chocolate is much more pleasant than swallowing a pill, even if it promises a burst of energy and energy.
Coffee is unique in that it works well for those who have tasted it for the first time, as well as for inveterate drink lovers. It is noteworthy that the "stimulant" is capable of both saving from a sleepy state and provoking it. If possible, it is better to replace coffee with green tea or invigorating fresh juice. The effect for the body will be similar, and the harm will be several times less.
