Caffeine And Intelligence: Breaking Down the Caffeine Memory ConnectionMany of us remember our last cup of coffee, but what is caffeine memory? Caffeine is one of the most popular drugs in the world, used by 90 percent of Americans, and -- best of all -- it's legal. It's no surprise there's a link between java and recall.Both memory and brain connections are fascinating. Let's consider the caffeine memory relationship. Though almost everyone has benefited from the affects of coffee on memory and alertness, most of us don't understand the reasons. Understanding The Caffeine-Brain Connection
For many people, it's is a secret weapon. When you are tired, you grab a cup of coffee. When you need to concentrate on a work assignment, you have a strong cup of tea. When you need to study for an exam, and need to boost your memory, you have a cola drink that's loaded with caffeine.The truth of the matter is that the relationship between caffeine and memory is a very close one. Consuming caffeine heightens our senses, focuses our mind, and increases our ability to recall information. The Science Behind
Scientists have long-since confirmed what most people knew already -- caffeine has an impact on brain functioning. But what MRIs and new technology have recently established is the more detailed nature of the caffeine memory and caffeine brain relationship. |
It works because it's is a stimulant. It causes a boost in energy, which in turn helps promote greater concentration of mental abilities.
Caffeine also increases levels of dopamine in the brain, which in many people creates a pleasant sensation. It is this dopamine connection in the caffeine brain relationship that is thought to contribute to addiction. In technical terms, caffeine also affects the release of adenosine, a brain chemical that helps tell your body when it's time to sleep.
Caffeine causes neurons in the brain to fire more rapidly, which sends a signal to the pituitary gland to release hormones that later trigger the release of adrenaline -- part of the classic "fight or flight" reaction. It's the release of adrenaline (combined with the dopamine) that helps give users the mental alertness or high that is for most a very pleasurable and productive experience!
Studies have also shown that the affects of caffeine can vary from person-to-person. In heavy coffee drinkers, the effect is diminished. In people who consume little, the impact of just one cup of coffee can be quite dramatic.
What About Caffeine and Intelligence?
Studies have shown that people who have consumed caffeine are able to concentrate more effectively, and recall information more easily and accurately. That's the caffeine memory connection. Many people find they perform better on tests and in stressful situations when their senses have been heightened by caffeine.Want to prove to yourself whether the caffeine memory connection is real or not? The Caffeine One Minute Intelligence Test is a quick, easy and dare we say fun way of testing the theory.
There are two tests -- both with 25 questions, and both which take only 1 minute to complete. You take one test without any caffeine under your belt, and the other fully caffeinated.
Scientic? Probably not? Fun? Definitely.
You can take the
Caffeine One Minute Intelligence Test here.
While the effects of caffeine only last for three to five hours, they do result in very tangible results. We may not be smarter for the long term, but while we are under the effects of the stimulating caffeine, our thought process is clearer, our memory is sharper, and generally, our awareness is heightened.
Though it is possible to become addicted to caffeine, for the most part, the caffeine brain connection is a positive one. Since the effects are only experienced for a short time, caffeine addiction does not present the same kinds of health risks found with many other substances.