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Huberman Lab
Using Caffeine to Optimize Mental & Physical Performance
Dec 5, 2022
02:18:38
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Quick takeaways
- Caffeine acts as a strong reinforcer, reinforcing our liking of foods and drinks that contain caffeine.
- Caffeine has various health benefits, including neuroprotective effects, anti-depressive effects, and performance-enhancing effects for mental and physical performance.
- By delaying caffeine intake to 90 to 120 minutes after waking, you can offset the afternoon crash by clearing out adenosine levels without relying on caffeine.
- Caffeine intake of 1 to 3 milligrams per kilogram of body weight prior to physical or mental tasks can enhance reaction time, coordination, memory, and overall feelings of well-being.
- Ingesting caffeine in the 8 to 12 hours before sleep can negatively affect sleep quality and disrupt the sleep-wake cycle.
Deep dives
Caffeine as a Reinforcer
Caffeine acts as a strong reinforcer, reinforcing our liking of foods and drinks that contain caffeine. It even reinforces our liking of the containers and company associated with caffeine consumption.
Health Benefits of Caffeine
Caffeine has various health benefits, including neuroprotective effects, anti-depressive effects, and performance-enhancing effects for mental and physical performance.
Mechanisms of Caffeine
Caffeine increases alertness and reduces sleepiness by blocking adenosine receptors. It also increases dopamine and acetylcholine in the forebrain, enhances the number of dopamine receptors in the reward pathways, and serves as an adenosine antagonist.
Using Caffeine as a Tool
Caffeine can be used as a tool to enhance mental health, physical health, and performance. It is important to consider individual differences, start with an appropriate dosage based on body weight, and avoid consuming caffeine too close to bedtime to prevent sleep disruption.
Delaying Caffeine Intake to Avoid Afternoon Crash
By delaying caffeine intake to 90 to 120 minutes after waking, you can offset the afternoon crash by clearing out adenosine levels without relying on caffeine. This delay also allows for a spike in cortisol, which helps clear out residual adenosine and increases alertness and focus.
Optimizing Caffeine Intake for Performance Enhancement
Caffeine intake of 1 to 3 milligrams per kilogram of body weight prior to physical or mental tasks can enhance reaction time, coordination, memory, and overall feelings of well-being. Abstaining from caffeine for 5 or more days prior to the task can amplify the performance-enhancing effects of caffeine. Even a brief 2-day abstinence can still lead to improved performance when caffeine is consumed on the day of the task.
Caffeine's Impact on Sleep
Ingesting caffeine in the 8 to 12 hours before sleep can negatively affect sleep quality and disrupt the sleep-wake cycle. To optimize sleep quality, it is recommended to avoid caffeine intake during this period, especially for those who are sensitive to caffeine or experience anxiety or jitteriness from its effects.
Caffeine's Effect on Mental Performance and Memory
Consuming caffeine after learning can greatly enhance memory retention. The spike in adrenaline and catecholamines caused by caffeine ingestion after learning stimulates memory formation. This effect is consistent regardless of the phase of the menstrual cycle in women.
Caffeine improves memory and focus
Studies show that consuming caffeine after being exposed to information can enhance memory. Despite the popularity of the 'Napa Chino' trend, where caffeine is consumed before napping, it is not recommended due to the potential negative effects of caffeine intake in the late afternoon. Instead, caffeine should be consumed in the early part of the day to maximize its benefits.
Caffeine enhances exercise performance and mood
Caffeine can improve exercise performance by increasing dopamine release during and after exercise. This increase in dopamine leads to heightened focus, alertness, and motivation. Caffeine can also reinforce positive feelings associated with exercise, potentially making it more enjoyable. However, it is important not to overuse caffeine or rely on it as a sole source of motivation and to be mindful of the potential side effects and tolerate a drop in dopamine levels after the initial peak.
In this episode, I explain how to use caffeine to enhance mental and physical health and performance, including the optimal dosages and intake schedules for caffeine. I explain how caffeine powerfully reinforces the consumption of certain foods and drinks—thereby increasing how much we like their tastes and seek them out. I discuss the mechanisms by which caffeine increases focus, alertness and mood and reduces sleepiness. I also explain many practical tools for caffeine use, including delaying caffeine intake after waking, intermittent caffeine use, during fasting, before and during exercise, and the use of theanine to curb jitters caused by caffeine. I also discuss the positive effects of caffeine on overall health and longevity and address several myths about caffeine. Since caffeine is one of the most commonly used substances (more than 90% of adults use caffeine daily!), this episode provides actionable tips for adjusting caffeine consumption to positively impact performance and health, including sleep.
For the full show notes, visit hubermanlab.com.
Thank you to our sponsors
Athletic Greens: https://athleticgreens.com/huberman
LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman
Supplements from Momentous
https://www.livemomentous.com/huberman
Timestamps
(00:00:00) Caffeine
(00:02:58) Tool: GLP-1, Yerba Mate, Satiety & Weight Loss
(00:11:22) Sponsor: LMNT
(00:15:23) Caffeine Benefits for Mental & Physical Performance
(00:20:23) Caffeine in Nature & Positive Reinforcement
(00:26:44) Caffeine Effects on Brain; Reward Pathways
(00:29:55) Caffeine as a Reinforcing Agent
(00:35:55) Sponsor: AG1
(00:38:01) Caffeine, Adenosine & Reduced Sleepiness
(00:45:16) Tool: Caffeine Dosage, Caffeine Adapted
(00:53:44) Tool: Delayed Caffeine Intake, Afternoon Crash & Sleep
(01:04:46) Morning Exercise & Residual Caffeine Effects
(01:07:56) Tool: Theanine & Jitteriness; Fasting, Intermittent Caffeine Use
(01:13:00) Theanine: Effects & Dosage
(01:18:41) InsideTracker
(01:19:45) Other Effects: Osteoporosis, Hormone Levels, Depression
(01:27:41) Afternoon Caffeine & Sleep
(01:31:45) Tool: Caffeine & Mental/Physical Performance; Cortisol & Caffeine Abstinence
(01:46:04) Caffeine, Performance & Menstrual Cycle
(01:47:27) Tool: Memory & Caffeine Timing; Adrenaline & Cold Exposure
(01:54:08) Caffeine & Naps
(01:56:34) Tool: Exercise, Caffeine, Dopamine & Positive Reinforcement
(02:01:55) Dopamine Stacking
(02:06:04) Scheduling Caffeine to Maximize Its Effects
(02:08:33) Pro-Health Effects of Caffeine
(02:13:38) Tool: Sugar Cravings & Reinforcing Effects of Caffeine
(02:20:17) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube Feedback, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, Social Media, Momentous Supplements, Neural Network Newsletter
Title Card Photo Credit: Mike Blabac
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