Brain Science: Neuroscience, Behavior
The science behind caffeine
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Consuming too much caffeine can lead to racing thoughts, rapid heartbeat, and jitters.
- Caffeine has a half-life of three to five hours, so it takes hours to leave your system, impacting sleep and causing crashes.
- The caffeine content in energy drinks varies, and choosing beverages with lower sugar and caffeine levels can help maintain a healthier energy level throughout the day.
Deep dives
Recognizing the Signs of Too Much Caffeine
If your thoughts are racing, you have a racing heartbeat, or you experience jitters, you might be consuming too much caffeine.
Understanding the Impact of Caffeine on Health
Caffeine affects heart rate and can cause scattered thoughts and trembling. It is important to be aware of the amount of caffeine in the drinks you consume.
The Importance of Regulating Caffeine Intake
Caffeine has a half-life of three to five hours, which means it takes hours for it to leave your system. It is crucial to consider the time of day and the amount of caffeine consumed to avoid disrupting sleep and experiencing crashes.
Navigating the World of Energy Drinks
The caffeine content in different energy drinks varies, and it is important to read labels to determine the amount of caffeine present. Choosing beverages with lower sugar and caffeine levels can help maintain a healthier energy level throughout the day.
Caffeine moderation and mindfulness
Being mindful of our caffeine intake is important in determining our next steps. Understanding our current state of fatigue and being grounded can guide us in making informed decisions. Taking breaks and being thoughtful about our caffeine consumption can help us avoid relying on it excessively and instead focus on more sustainable energy sources.
Caffeine safety and misconceptions
Caffeine is generally safe in moderation, with the recommended limit being 400 milligrams per day. It is important to consider individual sensitivity to caffeine and any existing health conditions that may influence tolerance. Misconceptions about caffeine and dehydration, addiction, and heart problems are debunked, emphasizing the importance of staying within safe and moderate doses.
Today’s episode features our very first guest. We’re joined by Danielle Rath, a notable expert and product developer in the caffeine and energy drink industry. Danielle is the founder of GreenEyedGuide Research and Consulting where she shares science-based information about energy drinks and caffeine, and helps people and companies where fatigue and caffeine use are prevalent. In this lengthly episode, we talk through all aspects of the science behind caffeine — its chemical structure and half-life, where and how it’s being used, the good, bad, and the ugly, as well as practical advice for everyday consumption. If you consume caffeine of any sort, this is a must listen episode.
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Featuring:
- Danielle Rath – Website, LinkedIn, X
- Mireille Reece, PsyD – LinkedIn
- Adam Stacoviak – Website, GitHub, LinkedIn, Mastodon, X
Show Notes:
Mireille is giving a talk at Heartifacts in August — check out this blog post for details on her talk and ways you can win a free pass to the conference!
- GreenEyedGuide Research and Consulting
- Follow Danielle on Instagram where she answers questions about caffeine & managing fatigue in the workplace
- Fatigue Management Workshops from Danielle and GreenEyedGuide on the secret to managing fatigue in the workplace
- How to drink caffeine strategically with the 5 Levels of Fatigue
- How good (or bad) is your favorite energy drink?
- Book: Are You a Monster or a Rock Star? - Danielle’s ultimate guide to energy drinks
- Book: How to Get Sh*t Done When You Feel Like Sh*t - Danielle’s book on the secrets of caffeine, motivation, and productivity for the sleep-deprived and overwhelmed
- Best energy drinks for the night shift
Something missing or broken? PRs welcome!
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