Common Myths About Caffeine You Need To Stop Believing

It Should Not Be Consumed Before Sleeping

Caffeine is a stimulant, which is why many people believe that drinking it before sleeping is counterproductive. This myth is untrue because drinking coffee before taking a nap can increase alertness after waking up more than drinking coffee just after a nap does. The alertness from caffeine peaks at around thirty minutes after consumption. For this reason, taking a twenty-minute power nap during this thirty-minute period can actually increase readiness to wake up and reduce irritability. Caffeine also stops the body from falling into a deeper state of sleep, which can lead to increased feelings of tiredness upon waking up. Some people even claim their 'coffee naps' turbocharge their brain and are the ultimate power-up for those who need it.

It Can Counteract The Effects Of Alcohol

This myth has been popularized by movies and television shows in which drunk characters drink coffee to sober up. However, experts confirm that this effect of caffeine is not true. Instead, adding a stimulant, such as caffeine, to a depressant, such as alcohol, can have disastrous results. A 2009 study published by the American Psychological Association concluded that college students who drank both alcoholic beverages and coffee were more likely to believe they were sober. These findings suggest that drivers who mix caffeine and alcohol are more likely to be involved in a car accident than drivers who drink only alcohol because they believe the caffeine has sobered them up. In reality, their reaction time and judgment is just as impaired.