Is coffee addictive? Until what time can you take it? Does it give you more focus? Veja – 01/16/2024 – Café na Prensa

Caffeine is a psychoactive drug that acts on the brain and modifies its functioning, which can cause changes in mood, perception, behavior and states of consciousness.

Its consumption can bring several health benefits, but excess can be dangerous.

O Coffee in the Press spoke with neuroscientist Amanda Reitenbach, postdoctoral fellow at UFSC (Federal University of Santa Catarina), to try to answer some of the most common questions about the effects of caffeine on the body.

Check it out below.

CAN I HAVE COFFEE UNTIL WHAT TIME SO I DON’T LOSE SLEEP?

The average half-life of caffeine in the plasma of healthy individuals is approximately 5 hours, but can vary between 1.5h and 9.5h.

After these 5 hours, there is still half of the caffeine to be completely eliminated, so it continues to be distributed to the organs.

Therefore, there are people who have difficulty sleeping when they drink coffee after 4pm. This is because the body is still under the influence of caffeine. Meanwhile, there are those who drink coffee at 6pm and do not have any sleep disturbances.

“The issue of sleep is very individual”, says Reitenbach, according to which some people are more sensitive than others. “For this reason, it is recommended that you consume caffeine no more than 6 hours before bed to avoid sleep disturbances,” she says.

COFFEE ADDICTIVE?

Yes. Studies indicate that excessive use of caffeine can cause dependence. In some cases of addiction, trying to stop using it abruptly can lead to depressive symptoms.

HOW DO I KNOW IF I’M ADDICTED?

“The frequent need to drink the drink in larger doses and at shorter intervals are signs of addiction”, explains Reitenbach.

She says symptoms of caffeine dependence can include headache, malaise, difficulty maintaining attention, mood changes (usually irritability), drowsiness, fatigue, constipation, nausea, strong caffeine cravings and, in some cases, hallucinations. smell of coffee, vomiting and fever.

Reitenbach says withdrawal can begin 12 hours after the last intake and persist for up to a week. “Progressively reducing the daily dose and alternating consumption days are suggested strategies to minimize symptoms,” she says.

COFFEE GIVES MORE CONCENTRATION AND FOCUS?

Caffeine acts as a stimulant for the central nervous system. Thus, it helps to improve concentration and increase performance in activities that require focus.

Furthermore, studies show that the substance increases endorphin secretion, which results in greater alertness and better cognitive and psychomotor performance.

OVER TIME, DOES THE BRAIN GET USED TO CAFFEINE?

Yes. Frequent and high-dose coffee consumption can lead to the development of tolerance to caffeine, as occurs with other chemical substances when consumed continuously.

This results in the need for increasing doses of caffeine to maintain the same desired effect.

“Switching between regular coffee and decaf coffee on different days can be a helpful strategy to avoid this constant spike cycle,” says Reitenbach.

HOW MUCH COFFEE CAN I DRINK IN A DAY?

Studies show that it is safe to consume up to 300 mg of caffeine per day. Each cup of coffee generally contains less than 100 mg of caffeine, but this amount can vary depending on several factors, such as preparation method, type and variety of coffee used, etc.

The ideal dose, however, varies from individual to individual. There are people who have a greater tolerance to caffeine than others.

Therefore, it is recommended to observe the effects that the drink has on your body and, if necessary, reduce consumption.

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DRINK TOO MUCH COFFEE?

Excessive consumption of caffeine, especially in amounts above 1g – the equivalent of around 10 to 15 cups of coffee – can cause anxiety, irritation, tachycardia and malaise.

The toxic dose is estimated between 5g and 10g. Ingestion at these levels can cause insomnia, agitation and hyperexcitability, followed by tachycardia, ringing in the ears, visual disturbances, muscle tension and chest palpitations.

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