What's Up Docs? Can caffeine boost your performance?
Jul 22, 2025
Joining the conversation is Andy Smith, a seasoned Professor of Occupational and Health Psychology from Cardiff University, who has dedicated over 30 years to studying caffeine. They dive into how caffeine interacts with the brain and why its effects vary from person to person. Topics include the ideal timing for caffeine consumption to maximize performance and debunking myths like the 'caffeine holiday.' The dialogue is both informative and entertaining, blending science with practical hacks for everyday life.
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Weaponized Incompetence Anecdote
- Xand shared a story about doing a poor job hanging pictures due to tiredness, leading to nail holes and bad aesthetics. - He was accused of 'weaponized incompetence,' doing tasks badly to avoid them in the future.
Caffeine Hack Explained
- Chris Van Tulleken explained a popular caffeine hack that suggests delaying the first coffee by 60 to 90 minutes after waking. - This hack claims to optimize caffeine's effect by letting adenosine clear before caffeine consumption.
Caffeine Combats Sleep Inertia
- Andy Smith prefers to have caffeine within half an hour of waking to counteract sleep inertia. - Caffeine helps restore alertness quickly, especially important for fatigued individuals at work or driving.