4 ms·

I guess it depends on what you're looking for? For a subtle effect like this, I would argue that it's not actually possible to experiment on yourself in a mean

I guess it depends on what you're looking for? For a subtle effect like this, I would argue that it's not actually possible to experiment on yourself in a meaningful way. If you don't use a double blind protocol, then any real effect is going to be completely overwhelmed by things like the placebo effect. And the absolute minimum number of people required to implement a double blind protocol is three: one to assign treatment and analyze the data, another to administer the treatment and collect the data, and one person to actually get experimented on. For this particular experiment, I'd go a step further and say say that the absolute minimum is 4, because you want to make sure that both alternatives are being tested under conditions where it's the participant's first time performing the cognitive task you're using for evaluation. That's only possible if you have separate participants for the treatment and control.

taeric 5y ago
I was asking more in the general case for coffee. I mean, I know basically how many beers will get me drunk and am well aware of the times I drink. Coffee, though? I read tons of folks saying it affects them... But it feels similar to the folks saying vitamin d improved their life. I am not claiming they are false, but I am claiming I don't feel it.
- mumblemumble 5y ago
  I don't have a source for this, but I've heard that coffee legitimately does affect some people differently. Because some people have a gene for an enzyme that metabolizes caffeine very effectively, and others don't. Which, that may not even be true. In which case, I don't mind. It was all by way of illustrating, be careful trying to extrapolate from a sample size of 1. In fact, just don't do it. Conversely, don't assume an aggregate statistic accurately describes anybody in particular.
  - taeric 5y ago
    Would love to read a bit more on that. If anyone has a good source on variation of caffeine susceptibility, I'd be grateful! And the point on being careful extrapolating makes sense. I will work on that.
    - nick__m 5y ago
      This will interest you "Interindividual Differences in Caffeine Metabolism and Factors Driving Caffeine Consumption" : https://pharmrev.aspetjournals.org/content/70/2/384 https://pharmrev.aspetjournals.org/content/70/2/384
- nick__m 5y ago
  It's hard to tell without knowing of strong your coffee is, your pink grapefruit intake and most importantly your sensitivity to caffeine.
  - taeric 5y ago
    This feels like I'm getting phished. :) Pink grapefruit intake? Awfully specific. Coffee is as strong as I can find. I prefer the taste of robusta beans. Have taken to steamed milk lately, but no sugar. I'll check out the link you put in the other post. Thanks!
    - mumblemumble 5y ago
      I don't know about grapefruit and caffeine specifically, but it's at least a great example from a tongue-in-cheek perspective. Grapefruit has a kind of ridiculously long list of drug interactions. It seems like pretty much everyone I know over the age of 65 is under doctor's orders to stay away from it. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/grapefruit-juice-and-some-drugs-dont-mix https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/grapefruit-ju...

taeric 5y ago

I was asking more in the general case for coffee. I mean, I know basically how many beers will get me drunk and am well aware of the times I drink. Coffee, though? I read tons of folks saying it affects them... But it feels similar to the folks saying vitamin d improved their life. I am not claiming they are false, but I am claiming I don't feel it.

mumblemumble 5y ago
I don't have a source for this, but I've heard that coffee legitimately does affect some people differently. Because some people have a gene for an enzyme that metabolizes caffeine very effectively, and others don't. Which, that may not even be true. In which case, I don't mind. It was all by way of illustrating, be careful trying to extrapolate from a sample size of 1. In fact, just don't do it. Conversely, don't assume an aggregate statistic accurately describes anybody in particular.
- taeric 5y ago
  Would love to read a bit more on that. If anyone has a good source on variation of caffeine susceptibility, I'd be grateful! And the point on being careful extrapolating makes sense. I will work on that.
  - nick__m 5y ago
    This will interest you "Interindividual Differences in Caffeine Metabolism and Factors Driving Caffeine Consumption" : https://pharmrev.aspetjournals.org/content/70/2/384 https://pharmrev.aspetjournals.org/content/70/2/384
nick__m 5y ago
It's hard to tell without knowing of strong your coffee is, your pink grapefruit intake and most importantly your sensitivity to caffeine.
- taeric 5y ago
  This feels like I'm getting phished. :) Pink grapefruit intake? Awfully specific. Coffee is as strong as I can find. I prefer the taste of robusta beans. Have taken to steamed milk lately, but no sugar. I'll check out the link you put in the other post. Thanks!
  - mumblemumble 5y ago
    I don't know about grapefruit and caffeine specifically, but it's at least a great example from a tongue-in-cheek perspective. Grapefruit has a kind of ridiculously long list of drug interactions. It seems like pretty much everyone I know over the age of 65 is under doctor's orders to stay away from it. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/grapefruit-juice-and-some-drugs-dont-mix https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/grapefruit-ju...