4 ms·

This can't have too much emphasis. Red Bull and its ilk will pretty much destroy your nervous system -- even one a day is probably too much.

Zak 17y ago
Please explain how (with links to sane sources if possible).
- jacquesm 17y ago
  'sane' sources as in not some random blog or 'answers' site, they're hard to come by, so I'm guessing that it is not all that clear cut. I did find this: http://www.springerlink.com/index/1185172kt700868t.pdf http://www.springerlink.com/index/1185172kt700868t.pdf Which has as a lead "Energy drink consumption has been anecdotally linked to the development of adverse cardiovascular effects in consumers, although clinical trials to support this link are lacking.", but there are some interesting observations in it. And this one: http://www.modern-psychiatry.com/taurine.htm http://www.modern-psychiatry.com/taurine.htm and this one: http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/diet_and_fitness/article1024293.ece http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/diet... Of the not-so-sane sources this one seemed a bit more balanced than most: http://brianx.com/nightlife/energy-drinks.html http://brianx.com/nightlife/energy-drinks.html What the hell is 'taurine' ? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taurine http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taurine Enjoy the read.
- redcap 17y ago
  Not a sane source but a personal anecdote: I stayed up all night before my sub-thesis due date finishing it off thanks to Red Eye (red bull analogue). I had so much of it that I was literally shaking late into the night. In general my caffiene intake is zero - my theory is if you drink it every day it has less of an effect than when you really need it. I rely on willpower most of the time if working late.
  - Zak 17y ago
    A reverse tolerance, as is commonly associated with marijuana? My experience has been different. I used to be addicted to caffeine. I wasn't measuring my intake, but at times it was probably near a gram a day. Since breaking my addiction, I have caffeine on occasion. A single cup of black tea now has a pretty strong effect on me, where previously it was barely noticeable.
- peoplerock 17y ago
  Former biofeedback therapist here. The effect of caffeine on muscle tension is measurable: it is impossible for nearly everyone to achieve as deep a muscular relaxation (measured by EMG) after just 100mg caffeine. I haven't looked at evidence in years, but the gastrointestinal and heart rate effects of even higher levels can be remarkable. I remember medical journal articles (Am J Psychiatry, i believe) referring to it as "caffeinism" - since the mental-alertness benefits habituate, but not the autonomic stimulation. Like with any mind-alteration: exercise caution. Listen to what your own body tells you.

Zak 17y ago

Please explain how (with links to sane sources if possible).

jacquesm 17y ago
'sane' sources as in not some random blog or 'answers' site, they're hard to come by, so I'm guessing that it is not all that clear cut. I did find this: http://www.springerlink.com/index/1185172kt700868t.pdf http://www.springerlink.com/index/1185172kt700868t.pdf Which has as a lead "Energy drink consumption has been anecdotally linked to the development of adverse cardiovascular effects in consumers, although clinical trials to support this link are lacking.", but there are some interesting observations in it. And this one: http://www.modern-psychiatry.com/taurine.htm http://www.modern-psychiatry.com/taurine.htm and this one: http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/diet_and_fitness/article1024293.ece http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/diet... Of the not-so-sane sources this one seemed a bit more balanced than most: http://brianx.com/nightlife/energy-drinks.html http://brianx.com/nightlife/energy-drinks.html What the hell is 'taurine' ? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taurine http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taurine Enjoy the read.
redcap 17y ago
Not a sane source but a personal anecdote: I stayed up all night before my sub-thesis due date finishing it off thanks to Red Eye (red bull analogue). I had so much of it that I was literally shaking late into the night. In general my caffiene intake is zero - my theory is if you drink it every day it has less of an effect than when you really need it. I rely on willpower most of the time if working late.
- Zak 17y ago
  A reverse tolerance, as is commonly associated with marijuana? My experience has been different. I used to be addicted to caffeine. I wasn't measuring my intake, but at times it was probably near a gram a day. Since breaking my addiction, I have caffeine on occasion. A single cup of black tea now has a pretty strong effect on me, where previously it was barely noticeable.
peoplerock 17y ago
Former biofeedback therapist here. The effect of caffeine on muscle tension is measurable: it is impossible for nearly everyone to achieve as deep a muscular relaxation (measured by EMG) after just 100mg caffeine. I haven't looked at evidence in years, but the gastrointestinal and heart rate effects of even higher levels can be remarkable. I remember medical journal articles (Am J Psychiatry, i believe) referring to it as "caffeinism" - since the mental-alertness benefits habituate, but not the autonomic stimulation. Like with any mind-alteration: exercise caution. Listen to what your own body tells you.