Does caffeine help you focus? (2023)

Does caffeine help you focus?

Caffeine is considered a stimulant. It stimulates the body's central nervous system, and boosts the brain's production of a neurochemical known as dopamine, which controls the ability to focus and maintain concentration.

Caffeine is a stimulant, which means it increases activity in your brain and nervous system. It also increases the circulation of chemicals such as cortisol and adrenaline in the body. In small doses, caffeine can make you feel refreshed and focused.

In moderate amounts, caffeine can boost mood, energy, and concentration. Research has shown that drinking coffee increases mental alertness and reduces tiredness – a huge help to those trying to study.

“Overconsumption of caffeine can cause anxiety, jitters and nervousness,” notes Harris. “It can also cause an inability to focus, digestive discomfort, insomnia and irritability.”

With this knowledge, the best way to have optimal effect of caffeine is to limit consumption to about 300 mg per day, and consume it ONCE a day – at the time you want to be most alert, and want the maximal effect. For many people this is the morning.

The hack is simple: if you are an average adult, a cup of coffee every 48 hours will do the trick. (Disclosure: I've been doing this for more than two years.) A typical cup of coffee contains 80mg of caffeine, which as a non-addict should be enough to give you the mental boost.

For the coffee purists among you, espresso contains 75 mg of caffeine per single serving, which will keep you awake for those late-night study sessions. It's also ideal if you don't want to drink lots liquid since each shot is only 0.75 fl.

How long does caffeine last in the human body? The effects of caffeine can be felt as soon as 15 minutes after it is consumed. The level of caffeine in your blood peaks about one hour later and stays at this level for several hours for most people. Six hours after caffeine is consumed, half of it is still in your body.

Taking coffee before an exam also enhances your brain's performance which will help you to reason during the paper. Coffee also boosts your memory, which is important in ensuring you remember key facts, patterns, and other objects that may feature in an exam paper.

Does caffeine speed up thinking?

Many studies have demonstrated that caffeine leads to enhanced cognitive performance involving various tasks (Brunye et al., 2010). It is often cited for its positive effects on vigilance, mental alertness, feeling of well-being and arousal.

So long as you're sticking to a caffeine intake that's healthy for you and your body, yes, it can help you study. According to a 2014 study by Johns Hopkins University, caffeine has the effect of “strengthening memories and making them resistant to forgetting”. In other words, caffeine boosts your memory.

Some adults with ADHD find that caffeine doesn't wake them up or make them sleepy. This group of people can drink coffee all day and still be able to fall asleep at night. They don't feel jittery or anxious, but neither do they feel 'switched on' after a caffeine beverage.

Caffeine interacts with a molecule in the body called adenosine , which assists with communication between brain cells and acts as a nervous system depressant. Adenosine levels increase throughout the day and help promote feelings of drowsiness.

Caffeine stimulates the nervous system and boosts dopamine production — both of which help the body with movement, attention, and focus. In the context of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD or ADD), treatments often include stimulant medication, which has a similar effect.

Up to 400 milligrams (mg) of caffeine a day appears to be safe for most healthy adults. That's roughly the amount of caffeine in four cups of brewed coffee, 10 cans of cola or two "energy shot" drinks. Keep in mind that the actual caffeine content in beverages varies widely, especially among energy drinks.

You'll be cranky

Regular coffee drinkers are accustomed to the mood-boosting effect caffeine can have on the body. Once you yank it away, you're likely to feel cranky and short-tempered. But don't worry; once the withdrawal ends, you'll feel more chipper than ever!

Should I drink caffeine before a test?

Taking coffee before an exam also enhances your brain's performance which will help you to reason during the paper. Coffee also boosts your memory, which is important in ensuring you remember key facts, patterns, and other objects that may feature in an exam paper.

Still, some of the effects of caffeine may worsen some symptoms of ADHD. For instance, ADHD can cause insomnia and anxiety, which are both side effects of caffeine consumption. Sleep deprivation can also lead to cognitive issues that someone with ADHD may already struggle with, like forgetfulness and focus.

The effects of caffeine usually start within 5 to 30 minutes and can last from 8 to 12 hours. Less than 200 mg of caffeine (1 or 2 cups of coffee) can make you more alert, put you in a better mood, and make you feel less tired. It can also improve physical work and your thinking.

One study asked people to drink four cups of coffee or tea throughout the day. Both beverages had similar effects on alertness and cognitive performance. But the tea had one big advantage over coffee: It had enough caffeine to aid performance, but not so much that it disrupted sleep. Score one for tea!