Ask YC: Does Caffeine Work For You?

http://startupy.net/2008/02/27/caffeine-experiment/

by bkrausz • 18 years ago

6 17 18 years ago

moog• 18 years ago

I gave up on caffeine a few years ago. I don't miss it, and find I have more energy and sleep better than before. I'm tempted to restart every time I read the 'caffeine is good for your health'-type reports, but so far I've stuck with H2O.

kf• 18 years ago

My productivity enhancing stimulant of choice is kratom.

mrtron3• 18 years ago

How does it enhance your productivity? Similar to caffeine where you can stay a bit more alert? Do you drink it as a tea throughout the day?

rms• 18 years ago

Yes, it is similar to caffeine, but no jittery side effects. The focus-increasing/anti-ADHD aura of kratom is decidedly better than caffeine but less than amphetamine.

When consumed for stimulation, it is best drunk continuously as slowly as possible throughout a day. Caffeine works best like this also, but most people drink their cups quickly at certain times of the day.

mightybyte• 18 years ago

Caffeine has never seemed to do much for me. Even if it did, I am fine without it.

doubleplus• 18 years ago

I do find caffeine use to be effective, driving force. Instead of just sitting around at home doing nothing, I feel compelled to take my laptop and be unproductive at local cafes. It also enhances my attention/focus deficiencies, leading me to read many more books, magazines, and blogs than I normally would were I to remain enmeshed in whatever I'm working on.

Yukas• 18 years ago

Caffeine is bad for night work. It gives physical stimulation, but it suppress cerebral cortex.

Also : you’re not more energetic, but unambiguously you’re more nervous on caffeine

(Forgive me my bad English, it’s not my native)

Novash• 18 years ago

No, it doesn't. It gives me a rush for less than five minutes and then I am back to the lower levels. Sleep works much better, but not the night one. Sleeping midday for less than an hour works way way better than caffeine. Shame my boss would never agree to it, but I do on weekends.

german• 18 years ago

Works for me, in fact, I'm going for my daily Red Bull. (it's too early for an Espresso, maybe later).

dreish• 18 years ago

I enjoy a cup of coffee most mornings, but I don't think it does a lot of good for long-term productivity.

A B-complex vitamin supplement (B-100) plus extra folate (to a total of 200% RDA of folic acid) definitely seems to help, though. And there's research to suggest that it reduces or prevents long-term cognitive decline.

mrtron3• 18 years ago

I actually recently began taking a B-complex.

I am pretty physically active, which is why I began taking it, but I have noticed a definite improvement in how long I can work with a 'clear head'. I did a bit of research around it and also found some studies suggesting it helps long-term with cognitive functions.

I suppose that is why redbull and a few other energy drinks throw a lot of B in their drinks.

(It is the only supplement I take, so perhaps through my diet I am missing a certain vit-B, YMMV)

brlewis• 18 years ago

I doubt it, though I haven't tried in a while. I use either sleep or adrenaline.

wallflower• 18 years ago

Provigil (Modafinil) is the wonder drug for people working all-night on deadlines. You don't have to sleep. http://www.slate.com/id/2079113/

I'd take the 'virtually no side effects' with a little caution, of course.

Personally, I prefer working on the adrenaline that comes from an impending deadline. Whether this is healthier than using stimulants - I don't know. It works for me.

xirium• 18 years ago

Tea can provide a nice, steady dose of caffeine.

mrtron3• 18 years ago

I am pretty resistant to any effects of caffeine - but I enjoy coffee, tea and Coke, so I consume a fair bit.

yzeli• 18 years ago

What may help with being energized (outside of consuming substances) is subdividing the day's activities into defined tasks and taking breaks in-between. This gives the work a flow and helps to concentrate and be "in the moment."

nose• 18 years ago

These tips work for me: http://zenhabits.net/2008/02/7-food-hacks-to-stay-alert-with...

Ask YC: Does Caffeine Work For You?

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