There should absolutely be many reasons for a tight bond between the high passion of students and coffee shops for drinking coffee. Those cafés near schools and universities might be so crowded, especially during exam times. Here, we want to take a close look at the effects of coffee on study quality, from the science behind caffeine to the psychological and social dimensions. If you are a student and an almost coffee person, this article might be for you.
How Caffeine Affects Your Brain
What’s going on in our brains when we drink coffee? You might have heard the name "caffeine," which is a coffee ingredient functioning as a natural stimulant. Let’s see what it can do.
Boosting Focus and Alertness
Caffeine can reach adenosine receptors in your bloodstream that are responsible for promoting relaxation and making you feel tired. Caffeine can block these receptors and increase your alertness.
Promoting Happiness
It’s not all about keeping us alert and awake; caffeine is able to increase the amount of dopamine hormones, offering a good mood and concentration. It is also common to call dopamine a “feel-good” hormone.
Improving Short-term Memory
Many studies from various surveys have shown that consuming proper amounts of caffeine can affect our short-term memory positively. We have to note that our caffeine consumption should be moderate, and this effect on our memory is temporary. In the following, we will explain more about the effects of drinking coffee on memory.
Coffee’s Impact on Learning and Memory
Caffeine has a more complicated link with memory. There is evidence that caffeine may improve some types of memory, especially longer-term tasks relating to sustained attention and focus. The best examples are when you want to study for an exam or remember things in more detail.
Another study from Johns Hopkins University observed that caffeine can improve memory consolidation in some of the subjects in order to keep it longer in mind after studying. The participants who consumed caffeine after seeing a series of images were able to better recall the details 24 hours later than those who did not. It might be great news for many coffee-loving students.
But you need to consider that not all forms of memory and learning are necessarily improved by caffeine. On the other hand, for more advanced and creative tasks, caffeine might not help so much.
The Ideal Coffee “Dosage” for Studying
So now you might feel a craving for more and more caffeine to enhance your studying easily. However, in this case, you are misunderstood. For the optimal result from consuming caffeine, you have to follow the moderate dosage, not too little and not too much.
In general, it is highly recommended to use around 200-400 milligrams of caffeine, which is approximately 1-3 cups of coffee. You can follow the guide below that might be practical for you to find the moderate caffeine dosage:
- One cup of coffee (8 oz): Around 95 mg of caffeine
- Energy drinks (8 oz): Between 70-100 mg
- Green tea (8 oz): Approximately 30-50 mg of caffeine
We firmly recommend that you avoid drinking coffee late in the evening. Because it can disturb your sleep routine and force you not to sleep, which can ruin your study efforts.
Tips for Students to Use Coffee Wisely
If you’re a student who has a deep passion for coffee and finds it beneficial for studying, here are a few tips to make the most of it:
- Time it Right: Try to limit your coffee intake to the morning or early afternoon. Avoid caffeine at least six hours before you plan to go to bed.
- Stick to Moderate Amounts: Aim for 1-3 cups a day and monitor how you feel. If you notice heightened anxiety, try to reduce the amount.
- Listen to Your Body: Not everyone metabolizes caffeine the same way. Some people feel alert after just one cup, while others can handle more. Pay attention to your body’s cues and don’t overdo it.
- Try a Decaf Option: Sometimes, the ritual of drinking coffee can be just as powerful as the caffeine itself. If you’re craving a late-night coffee, try decaf. This allows you to enjoy the experience without disturbing your sleep.
Conclusion
You might have felt satisfied as you read this article as a student who is a fan of coffee. If you consume coffee moderately, not only is it not harmful, but it can also boost alertness and focus. It can be an optimal choice for short-term study sessions or tasks that require sustained attention. It is wise to taste your ideal caffeine dosage carefully, and if your body system matches perfectly, you will enjoy its benefits.
Although going to coffee shops for a cup of coffee can be fun and make you sociable, it might be costly to try every day during exams. Some portable coffee makers seem an ideal way to prepare your coffee quickly and everywhere. If you want to observe different types of coffee gadgets, especially portable ones, visit Lepresso website.