Licking the Razor's Edge (2015)

CAFFEINE — the MYTHS
MYTH #01 … Caffeine does NOT give you a boost of energy.
Scientifically, you cannot measure any increase in actual energy provided by caffeine.
The perceived “rush” you feel when you drink your cup of coffee actually comes from
your body’s struggle to adapt to increased blood levels of stress hormones. In most
cases, this chemically induced “emergency state” leads to side effects collectively known
as caffeinism -- ironically, the same caffeinism that is ultimately characterized by
sensations of extreme fatigue!
“Caffeine doesn’t add energy to your system, it just burns up your reserves at a
faster pace. You get a short-term boost at the expense of long-term jitters and
fatigue.” ~ Pat Goudey
MYTH #02 … Caffeine does NOT boost your athletic performance.
Although drinking coffee (or sodas) might very well provide a short-term, temporary
stimulation of the physical body, regular caffeine intake actually diminishes the body’s
ability to perform physically.
“While mice fed one dose of caffeine demonstrated significant increases in their
swimming capacity, when the same dose of caffeine was given for six weeks, a
significant decrease in swimming capacity was observed. ~ Dr. Michael Murray
MYTH #03 … Caffeine does NOT improve learning or memory.
In fact, the opposite is true.
“If you drink even small amounts of caffeinated beverages throughout the day,
your adrenal glands will be constantly stimulated, and you will find yourself in a
chronic state of stress. Extra stress takes a toll on your body and brain. And even
though most people think caffeine makes them mentally sharper, studies have
shown that caffeine consumed even in moderate amounts can reduce cerebral flow
by as much as 30%. That means less oxygen to the brain, which means less clarity
and less retention.” ~ Dr. Julian Whitaker & Steven Cherniske
MYTH #04 – Caffeine does NOT give you a psychological “lift”.
Caffeine is often referred to as a mood elevator, and yet this is simply not true. If you
take a person who doesn’t drink caffeine and give them some, it doesn’t elevate their
mood. It makes them uncomfortable and tense. In habitual users, caffeine may appear to
elevate one’s mood, and yet research clearly illustrates that what is actually happening is
that the caffeine is simply enabling those people to avoid the depression they associate
with a potential withdrawal from caffeine.
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