Caffeine update
This week I went to an interview without drinking any caffeine. It was a good experience. Often I drink coffee or tea to try and give myself energy I really don’t have. I do feel more energetic for a while, but it comes back at me later when I feel worse that I would have without the caffeine. (In other words, I think my total energy is conserved!) The same is true for enthusiasm. Sometimes when I used to drink double espressos I would dream up really grand plans to go to Egypt, or write a novel, or whatnot, but then by a few hours later I’d be lying around on the couch reading the NYT Sunday magazine. (Not, as they say, that there is anything wrong with that.) Not drinking any caffeine makes me feel more quietly and sustainably ambitious, not out of touch with what I really have the energy to do.
However… for all that, I couldn’t keep it up this week, so I am back to the tea! I may experiment again some other time.
I find that my hands are actually steadier with 1-2 cups than with either zero or three. And since I am paid for my motor skills as much as my brain, caffeine regulation is pretty important.
Comment by Lab Lemming — January 15, 2007 @ 9:50 am
I once drank a double espresso, did five experiments all! at! once!, and collapsed in the conference room at about 2 pm.
I once tried to give up caffeine, too. (Shudder.) My hands were fine, but the brain was OFF.
Comment by JF — January 15, 2007 @ 4:07 pm
I get a headache just thinking about giving up caffeine.
Comment by JM — January 16, 2007 @ 4:59 pm
You will probably appreciate this post (no, it’s not mine) over at Scienceblogs. Just your cup of… coffee!
http://scienceblogs.com/mixingmemory/2007/02/thinking_faster_makes_you_feel.php
Comment by Alethea — March 10, 2007 @ 9:37 pm
I gave up caffeine (and processed sugar) for about a month at the New Year. I was amazed at my constant level of energy and enthusiasm. Unfortunately, I just absolutely love the ritual of drinking coffee.
Comment by Eric Wolf — July 5, 2007 @ 4:57 pm