Photo by Ryan Middlemist ’20 | Bang energy drinks is an example of popular caffeine drinks among students
By Ryan Middlemist ’20
THE ROUNDUP
With Caffeine being readily available on and off campus, students have no shortage of options. This has made it easier to obtain and more and more students are becoming addicted to it.
Head Athletic Trainer Mr. Chris White said that by intaking a small amount of caffeine (100mg or 1 cup of coffee) can produce positive effects, but withdrawal symptoms can drastically reduce the positive outcomes.
“You begin to decline below your regular cognitive function,” said Mr. White. This lack of cognitive functions forces students to feel the urge to up the dose and continue routine consumption of caffeine.
These larger doses mean that even at half life of 6 hours a large quantity of caffeine remains in your system according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1.
Half-life means that if a person were to consume 300 mg of caffeine (Bang) then they would still have 150 mg remaining in their system even after a six hour time frame. Which, in turn, would mean if they were to have a cup of coffee in the afternoon they could potentially ruin sleep patterns, affect their body’s ability to rest and can make them nervous or anxious if the routine is continued.
A student at Brophy recently came forward to talk about his experience with caffeine. “My caffeine consumption is around 500 mg a day at this point,” said Brennan Kujawa ’20, who has been consuming large quantities of caffeine since freshman year.
Kujawa said that his caffeine intake has caused his mood and behavior to change when he goes without it. He said he feels grouchy, irritable, tired and unable to focus.
Despite all this, he stands by his choices saying “I like caffeine and I think the benefits outweigh the negative.” Brennan believes that the energy and focus he receives from caffeine allow for him to continue his routine consumption even at the cost of any side effects he may feel without it.
With caffeine growing every day in both popularity and volume, following healthy habits like eating healthy and sticking to a regular sleep cycle can help kick the habit and improve both energy and productivity.
