By: Tristin Harrell
“My heart is a muscle, I have to train it to failure,” said Georgia Southern student, Connor Sherrill.
Sherrill began consuming caffeine, specifically energy drinks in high school. His usage is anything short of uncommon. Caffeine is consumed by 69% of Americans according to the National Institute of Health.
In terms of Sherrill’s instances to “train his heart,” caffeine impacts more than just the vital organ.
“Caffeine affects brain chemicals, adenosine in particular, that play a role in various bodily functions,” said Dr. Laura Juliano via email communication. “It also affects dopamine; a brain chemical linked to reward and motivation.”
Juliano is the Behavioral Pharmacology and Health Promotion Laboratory Director at American University. With a special interest in caffeine dependance, Juliano cautioning college students to be more mindful of caffeine consumption.
“Coffee is a time when people are forming new habits, and the brain is still very impressionable,” said Juliano. “It could be argued that students may be more vulnerable to forming dependence, especially because caffeine use becomes tied to routines like studying, socializing, and coping with stress and poor sleep.”
As a multi-sport athlete and student, Sherrill said the caffeine was the boost he needed to get through the classes and practices.
“I would mix a scoop and a half of pre-workout with my energy drink before working out,” said Sherrill.
Sherrill estimated that he regularly consumed about a gram of caffeine a day when he followed this routine.
Juliano believes that the usage of caffeine among Generation Z is strongly linked to their consumption habits of energy drinks and speciality coffees, which are harder to predicate caffeine content.
EmmaLaine Sisk, a junior at Georgia Southern University, consumes both.
“Coffee kind of just helps wake me up slowly,” said Sisk. “Energy drinks give me that boost of energy.”
Averaging autumn’s 300 milligrams of caffeine per day, Sisk believes her consumption is tied to a habit she formed in high school.
“It’s just kind of a ritual that I have every morning, get up, have coffee,” said Sisk. “I have for five years now. That’s something I don’t stay away from.”
Sisk is more selective with her energy drink consumption, though. Her favorite energy drink, Alani Nu, contains over 200 milligrams of caffeine. Sisk now tries to limit her usage to only weekdays. It was not always like this. Sisk developed an “Aulani Cart,” which is a three-tiered rolling cart that currently holds six different flavors of the energy drink. With a total of 96 cans at her disposal, Sisk stay vigilant to make sure she is maintaining a fairly healthy lifestyle by drinking at least 80oz of water daily.
Retired physician assistant cardiologist, Rallie “Rooster” Cogburn doubts that one can maintain both a healthy lifestyle and consume excess amounts of caffeine.
“I don’t think people get addicted to caffeine,” said Rooster. “I think people get addicted to the effects of caffeine.”
As a physician assistant, Rooster saw firsthand the effects caffeine had on the body.
“They can experience within issues, that being, feeling like your heart is skipping a beat, extra heartbeats, and a faster rate tactycardia,” said Rooster.
Long term, these effects are intertwined with high blood pressure and heart palpitations.
Rooster suggests college students skip out on the caffeine. Rooster believes that students should ask themselves why they’re actually consuming the caffeine.
“If your reason for drinking it is to stay awaken, you’re defeating a healthy lifestyle, period,” said Rooster. “The key to staying awake is getting enough sleep.”
Sherrill and Sisk are average college students. Energy drink vending machines line university buildings. Starbucks liter college campuses. It’s hard to avoid caffeine. It’s unrealistic to believe college students will stop consuming caffeine entirely. Instead, experts are urging students to look beyond the flashy cans and mouthwatering flavors.
“Energy drinks are heavily marketed to young adults and often contain high caffeine levels plus added stimulants,” said Juliano.
Juliano acknowledged that the energy drink industry’s lack of regulatory limits has led to an increased risk in overuse and caffeine toxicity.
“It is important to remember that caffeine is a drug,” said Juliano. With any drug comes side effects and withdrawal symptoms. Some side effects common in college students is increased anxiety, jitteriness, and sleep disruption.
Sherrill knows about the withdrawal symptoms. Though he believes he had it easy with mild headaches, other students report more serve symptoms. From nausea to muscle aches, Juliano warns that these symptoms can last for over a week once students stop consuming caffeine.
These withdraws symptoms and discomfort often lead to students relapsing in a way. The reinforcement that comes when consuming caffeine (more energy, fun flavors, etc.) hinders one’s ability to cut it out entirely.
Students are out of luck completely. There are several ways to lead a healthier lifestyle, with minimal caffeine usage. Checking nutrition labels are crucial for maintaining a balance with caffeine consumption and water intake. Similarly to caffeine, exercise releases dopamine, leading to a mood boost. Ensure you’re consuming all the needed vitamins and nutrients. And of course, get enough sleep.