Does Drinking Coffee Actually Improve Memory?
Coffee drinkers often wonder if caffeine can improve their memory. That's because many who religiously consume the beverage notice that they seem more alert when they've had coffee. But is there actually a link between the two, or is the connection just in the minds of coffee drinkers?
How Caffeine Works
Caffeine is a stimulant drug that affects the brain directly, and it has been shown without a doubt to increase alertness. However, the effects of caffeine on memory are more mixed.
Some studies have shown that caffeine can improve some types of memory, particularly the global aspects of memory. More in-depth research shows that the benefit of caffeine on memory is state-dependent. If no caffeine is used at the time the information is presented, people perform more poorly if they take caffeine at the time they need to remember the information. On the other hand, if they've had caffeine when they take in the information, and they don't have caffeine when they try to remember it, they do worse than if they do have caffeine at the time they need to remember it. Other studies show that with certain memory tasks, caffeine actually worsens performance.
Effects of Caffeine on the Memory of Older Adults
There has been some encouraging research regarding the use of caffeine in older adults to counteract the natural declines in memory that are associated with age. For example, one study showed that caffeine reduced the afternoon decline in memory experienced by "morning people"–older adults who generally perform better in the morning than in the afternoon.
Conclusion
As caffeine is an addictive substance, trying to self-medicate what you believe to be a poor memory may actually be making matters worse. For example, caffeine tends to interfere with your sleep and is followed by a withdrawal period, both of which can cause memory problems.
Source: https://www.verywellmind.com/does-caffeine-improve-memory-21846
What are your thoughts on caffeine and its impact on our overall health?
#Caffeine #Memory #Health #Psychology
@calmDew1576
From what you've written, it can be summarised that caffeine disrupts sleep and causes withdrawal symptoms, both of which can lead to memory problems. Thank you for sharing.
@Helpingheart23 That's true! Although caffeine has been correlated with short-term memory, there are other psychotropic effects it may have (such as enhancing anxiety or causing sleep problems) which can lead to cognitive decline. In any case further research is needed to determine its effects. Thank you for reading and I'm glad you found it interesting!
@calmDew1576
I think like with anything, it's important to have a balance.
Caffeine can be very addicting at the end of the day.💛💫
Caffeine, being a dopaminergic & noradrenergic compound creates a major nootropic [smart-drug/compound/nutrient] and all stimulants are good shorterm memory enhancers. Speeding up electrical signalling in the brain. Good for depression, it's thought that thousands are unknowingly self-medicating their depression using their favourite beverage.
Adding L-theanine [both are found in tea, especially green tea] to Caffeine at a ratio of 1:2 caffeine to L-theanine has a synergistic effect. It also helps prevent side effects from Caffeine as it is a non-sedating tranquilliser. Together, a dose of each produces a greater effect than either alone at double dose. Tibetan Monks drink green tea before meditation despite containing Caffeine. Black tea has been toasted or roasted and contains less L-theanine.
If you want to create an all round nootropic without paying tonnes or adding unpronounceable compounds, suggestions might be any or all of the following:
DHA 250-750mg+ fish oil caps. Vegan supplements are available. EPA content is always higher, both are synergistic.
Acetylcholine is the star in nootropics and improves mood, focus, attention and mental energy want a Choline source for Acetylcholine production, a raw material ùsed and DMAE is the cheapest but it works well and can have a mild stimulant effect which builds up over 2 weeks. You can add some Huperzine A 1-200mcg which inhibits the breakdown of Acetylcholine.
All stimulants are good nootropics. How many students have you known to have taken Adderall for 'cramming ' before the exam the following.
Daily Gingko Biloba, 120mg of standerdised extract once or twice daily helps short term memory.
Others are all the B vitamins; zinc with copper, magnesium, ALCAR and combined antioxidants. All of these so far mentioned are natural and endogenous.
If you add cinnamon and ginger to the Gingko, not only will that boost focus but if you suffer with cold hands and feet, the 3 combined. L-Tryptophan 350mg+ can be used to wind down and sleep. Boost that with B6 50mg and zinc 30mg. But beware of vivid dreams. Melatonin might be an applicable alternative. 1-3mg of Melatonin before bed. Rant over.
Finally, if you want alternatives to caffeine with none of the side effects at normal doses but as strong or stronger, Methylliberine [DYNAMINE], Theacrine [TeaCrine] and Mangifera Indica [Zynamite] are similar to caffeine [Xanthines] yet each unique with few side effects or tolerance. DYNAMINE lasts @ 3hrs, Zynamite 6hrs and TeaCrine up to 12hrs. Like caffeine they work by blocking the receptors for anandamide who's job is to slow catecholamine transmission (noradrenaline, dopamine and adrenaline). Blocking the receptors preventing adenosine from doing its job.
Who needs drugs?
😵💫
@seerOscams
Thank you for sharing this with us. You seem very knowledgeable! Where did you learn all that?
@globalBraid3744
Books, and later the Internet but mainly books. Finding out how what's in the foods we consume determines our ability to act better or worse, ì found fascinating and taught myself. The careful use of micronutrients at certain, often high doses is both safe and more effective than artificial drugs by far. But there's no point picking any old multi off the shelf and weighing up any benefits after a month is pointless. Most contain less than you'd need to correct a deficiency, it might delay the onset of symptoms and illness. By which time most people think they need a diagnosis [label] along with a drug that ignores the causes, initially helps with symptoms while the underlying causes become inevitably worse.
I need to start meditating, mindfulness sounds my ideal starting point. I'm not my mind or my body, they are what allows me to experience this 3D reality, or whatever it is 😎 my vehicle and my sanity for experience and discovery here. But I have to learn to put aside my thoughts, feeling and sensations and simply be without the commentary. I think most people have forgotten who they really are. Thats the ultimate answer for me. Science will copy a hypothesis over and over but never find it. Its not for the Self, the Self needs nothing. It's already perfect. We've been lured and our secrets stolen that's why we're lost, with many transfixed on illusions. A game of Simon Says. We are powerful beyond imagination, but lost without our manuals. The thiefs now use them to control us. So we call them 'secret societies', obey, concede, comply and acquiesce to them. Believe they have our interests as their priority while they lie through there teeth. I can see it and so can others, majority are blind to it. We scratch our heads while the sheep accuse us for everything and call us names. It's hilarious 😂
@seerOscams You seem very well informed and I agree with your point of view. However, further research is needed on the topic as there are many variables to consider such as anxiety which has a negative correlation with memory. Caffeine for example which offers too much energy can enhance the symptoms of anxiety and have no effects or negative effects on memory because of that. So even if caffeine can help with working memory in short-term, consuming it regularly can have long-term damaging effect on memory. Also, as far as I know, there is a correlation between caffeine and short term memory. In order to talk about causation there must be an experiment conducted to verify it's effects. If you have found any research that's experimentla I would really like you to tag me on it please! I'm interested! That's why research is so fascinating! Thank you for sharing you knowledge with us!
@innateJoy9602 That's so true! I believe having a bit of everything is the best way to go. Everything can be damaging if we have too much of it. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
@calmDew1576
I was surprised by the suggestion that caffeine would improve memory. What some research found is already known in cognitive psychology - we remember the information better if we are in the same setting as when we were learning it.
I have not personally noticed any changes in my cognitions after I drink coffee - not even in alertness. If there are some changes they must be very subtle. I do not usually drink coffee as I choose tea whenever I can.
@globalBraid3744 It can definitely be different for each person and further research is needed to determine the effects of caffeine. A moderate amount of caffeine daily is beneficial and consumed by people for years. Exaggerating is never good though so it's great to keep a balance! Thank you for reading and sharing!
@calmDew1576
This is right! Exaggerating is never good and balance is important.
@calmDew1576 I try to limit my caffeine intake as much as possible since it can be addictive and the withdrawals are horrible. Thanks for sharing this article!
@comfortableNight4463 It's true that caffeine can have side-effects. Cutting it up completely is not necessary but drinking no more than the recommended ammount would be for the best! Also I try to find good sources of caffeine such as matcha and I have already observed differences in my health. I strongly suggest it. Thank you for reading!
@calmDew1576 Thank you! I substitute coffee for tea sometimes. It's great! I tried matcha before and I'm not a huge fan.
@calmDew1576 Personally, I don't drink caffeine at all and I probably haven't in about 7 years. I was getting these awful migraines that would lead to me being sick and I couldn't understand why. I came to realize it was anytime I had caffeine, so I cut it all out. I think if people drink caffeine in moderation, that's fine but I personally don't like the way it makes me feel.
