Have you ever felt tired enough to pass out during class? About two months ago, I almost did. Despite a healthy sleep schedule and low stress levels, I found myself too sluggish to function throughout the school day. For weeks, I tried to combat this chronic fatigue by drinking coffee every morning, but my espresso-fueled efforts were in vain. One afternoon in class, I lost the fight with my fluttering eyelids and finally collapsed over the desk.
I was only out for a minute, but when I woke up I knew that something had to change. I started researching nutritional reasons for sudden exhaustion, and to my surprise, caffeine was one of the top results.
Despite its reputation as an energy booster, caffeine can contribute to chronic fatigue when frequently consumed. Caffeine works by blocking adenosine, the chemical responsible for tiredness, from affecting the brain. According to The National Institute of Health, regular caffeine consumption leads to increased adenosine production as the body overcompensates, which actually weakens the effect of caffeine and makes us more tired over time.
“The most common concern with caffeine is that it has a withdrawal syndrome,” Stanford University clinical professor and neurologist Shannon Kilgore says. “People feel like they need to keep using it, even if they don’t need it for that particular day.” Caffeine withdrawal can lead to a multitude of harmful side effects, including headaches, nervousness, and fatigue. Additionally, ingesting too much caffeine can overstimulate the brain. The Food and Drug Administration warns that caffeine overdoses may lead to heightened anxiety levels, seizures, or even death.
After learning about the inefficacy and side effects of coffee, I decided to quit. The next two weeks, I gradually reduced my caffeine intake to the occasional decaf lattes and dark chocolate bars. Although early mornings are still a struggle, I now feel more focused and energized throughout the day.
So the next time you reach for an energy drink, I urge you to ask yourself: Why do I really want this? Whether you hope to make up for lost sleep, need an energy boost during a long school day, or maybe because you simply like the taste, I implore you to search for a decaf option. Even though a cup of coffee might work as a short term solution, caffeine can’t keep you awake forever.
