There are few students who haven’t found themselves staying up late to study for exams or finish a particularly challenging project. Often, it seems like caffeine is the only way to get through college, helping students stay alert and on task when they haven’t gotten enough sleep– whether because of school or socializing. Yet, caffeine may be causing students more problems than it solves and taking a toll on their overall health and well-being.
While caffeine is by far not the worst mind-altering substance students could engage in while in college, it does come with some side effects that students may not always realize are affecting their lives. First and foremost, caffeine is highly addictive. What once was a soda or cup of coffee now and then can turn into needing one every day just to get going. When you don’t get your caffeine fix you can be left feeling groggy and irritable and may experience insomnia and headaches as a side effect. When you are left feeling awful because you didn’t have caffeine, the first thing you’ll want to turn to for relief is soda, coffee and energy drinks.
Students should also realize that while caffeine might provide them with a burst of energy that the effect is very much temporary. A few hours after having it, most will be left feeling even more tired than they were before. The crash after a caffeine high can make it hard to get through the day without taking in more and more caffeine and the vicious cycle isn’t good for any student.
The long term effects of ingesting too much caffeine aren’t anything to shrug off and are serious health concerns students should be aware of. Students can experience a form of caffeine intoxication when they’ve had too much, leading to irregular heart rates and disorientation that can be dangerous, especially in those with undiagnosed or unrecognized heart conditions. Used over the long term, caffeine can damage your sleep cycles, contribute to stomach ulcers and heartburn, increase depression and anxiety and in women can lead to the formation of breast cysts.
Caffeine doesn’t have to be your enemy as a student, but know how to use it in a way that is beneficial to you and won’t hurt your health or make you dependent on its stimulating effects. Like anything, caffeine is most effective and least dangerous when it’s used in moderation, so save it for when you really need it and use it sparingly. Your health will thank you.
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