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Caffeine and sleep

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  • 01-12-2010 10:08pm
    #1
    papajimsmooth
    Registered Users Posts: 779 ✭✭✭


    Does anyone know if its possible for caffeine to make a person feel drowsy or tired as opposed to alert and why this might be?


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    #2
    josey_whale
    Registered Users Posts: 284 ✭✭josey_whale


    papajimsmooth wrote: »
    Does anyone know if its possible for caffeine to make a person feel drowsy or tired as opposed to alert and why this might be?

    I'm no expert, but.. Caffeine is a stimulant - it acts on your central nervous system. So, in itself caffeine will not make you drowsy. It will do the opposite - You will be more wakefull.

    I'd suggest that the drowsiness is comming from something else. One thing about caffeine is the ability to build up a tolerance... some people can drink a cup of coffee before going to bed without it affecting their sleep.. others would be up all night as a result of the caffeine.


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    #3
    Toby_2010
    Closed Accounts Posts: 43 ✭Toby_2010


    I agree with the above... I have a massive Tolerance to coffee at this stage! I drank an unhealthy amount through my leaving cert and now i just have a cup when studying or to have something to do if o get me.(im 19 now if its relative).. errm as for making you feeling drowsy.. thats questionable.. i reckon if your drowsy because of something else like an illness then coffee wont kick in!

    its prob just a tolerance


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    #4
    heavyballs
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,683 ✭✭✭heavyballs


    papajimsmooth wrote: »
    Does anyone know if its possible for caffeine to make a person feel drowsy or tired as opposed to alert and why this might be?

    if you're watching Vincent Brown drinking numerous Espresso's you'll still feel very sleepy,fact:D


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    #5
    Capt'n Midnight
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 91,400 Mod ✭✭✭✭Capt'n Midnight


    If you drink very milky coffee then the milk will help you sleep. That's the way coco works


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    #6
    Improbable
    Registered Users Posts: 1,576 ✭✭✭Improbable


    Caffeine acts on adenosine receptor as an antagonist. Theoretically, it could make you more tired if you had a severe form of adenosine receptor dysfunction but fatigue would be the least of your problems.


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    #7
    CramCycle
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 24,806 Mod ✭✭✭✭CramCycle


    I've heard of it affecting a minority like this before and in large amounts it does make me drowsy. The stimulating effect could increase general metabolism and therefore lower available energy sources through increased utilisation leaving the subject feeling weak or tired.

    just an idea though, nothing to back it up


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    #8
    Norwayviking
    Closed Accounts Posts: 766 ✭✭✭Norwayviking


    papajimsmooth wrote: »
    Does anyone know if its possible for caffeine to make a person feel drowsy or tired as opposed to alert and why this might be?

    After working in the north sea and been awake for 3 days and probably drinking 10 liters of coffe you would feel that,i know from experience:D


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    #9
    ScumLord
    Registered Users Posts: 28,789 ✭✭✭✭ScumLord


    Improbable wrote: »
    Caffeine acts on adenosine receptor as an antagonist. Theoretically, it could make you more tired if you had a severe form of adenosine receptor dysfunction but fatigue would be the least of your problems.
    It's not actually a stimulant is it? It just suppresses sleepiness more than stimulates. I read it on a stumblethon in the middle of the night so I can't remember what it does exactly.


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    #10
    Improbable
    Registered Users Posts: 1,576 ✭✭✭Improbable


    ScumLord wrote: »
    It's not actually a stimulant is it? It just suppresses sleepiness more than stimulates. I read it on a stumblethon in the middle of the night so I can't remember what it does exactly.

    I don't know how many of you have access to scientific papers or the background knowledge to understand them (most are written fairly atrociously, even I have trouble understanding them), but there is a paper here which goes more into the effects of adenosine on wakefulness:

    http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T0R-4D2MVP5-1&_user=10&_coverDate=08/01/2004&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_orig=search&_origin=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=1de751bcaea95503a0b1e2ba3595d03f&searchtype=a

    Drop me a PM if you want the full paper.


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    #11
    Dave!
    Closed Accounts Posts: 27,857 ✭✭✭✭Dave!


    Interesting blog post regarding energy drinks, with links to other posts and studies regarding caffeine. Might be of interest to the OP:
    http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/?p=9541


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    #12
    p1akuw47h5r3it
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,001 ✭✭✭p1akuw47h5r3it


    As far as i know caffeine has a rebound affect. So it will make u more alert however when the affect wears off u will feel extra tired

    Alcohol is similar in that it makes u tired yet mostly you don't get a full nights sleep as it has a rebound affect.


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