Caffeine fuels sleep deficit
Kara Wilt
Issue date: 3/28/07 Section: Features
"We use caffeine to make up for a sleep deficit that is largely the result of caffeine," says neuroscientist and sleep expert Charles Czeisler.
What students do not realize, however, is that even though they are getting their work done and enjoying the activities that they are participating in, it may not be the same quality performance that they would be able to achieve if they did not have such a high intake of caffeine. Not to mention the effects that going without sleep can have on your body, as well as the withdraw symptoms many experience when they try to stop using caffeine.
"I know when I decided to stop drinking as much soda, for a while I felt like I had no energy," said junior Brian Young. "But after some time I got used to it and my energy levels returned to normal."
Other symptoms of caffeine withdraw are headaches, fatigue or drowsiness, irritability or even flu-like feelings.
These feelings can be so bad that students frequently miss class or are late for work, defeating the purpose of cutting sleep time to begin with.
What students do not realize, however, is that even though they are getting their work done and enjoying the activities that they are participating in, it may not be the same quality performance that they would be able to achieve if they did not have such a high intake of caffeine. Not to mention the effects that going without sleep can have on your body, as well as the withdraw symptoms many experience when they try to stop using caffeine.
"I know when I decided to stop drinking as much soda, for a while I felt like I had no energy," said junior Brian Young. "But after some time I got used to it and my energy levels returned to normal."
Other symptoms of caffeine withdraw are headaches, fatigue or drowsiness, irritability or even flu-like feelings.
These feelings can be so bad that students frequently miss class or are late for work, defeating the purpose of cutting sleep time to begin with.
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