Maintaining Mental Performance with Caffeine Lindsay Crowl & the Starbucks Corp.

Caffeine as a Necessity at Mudd About 90% of Americans consume caffeine every day of their lives, and about half of American adults take in about 300mg of caffeine a day. About 90% of Americans consume caffeine every day of their lives, and about half of American adults take in about 300mg of caffeine a day. The average cup of coffee contains 100mg of caffeine, the average cola about 70mg. The average cup of coffee contains 100mg of caffeine, the average cola about 70mg. Caffeine is known for helping people stay awake and increasing cognitive performance, but in excess, it may cause insomnia and irritability. Caffeine is known for helping people stay awake and increasing cognitive performance, but in excess, it may cause insomnia and irritability.

Questions to Explore How can people use caffeine for peak performance over a long period of sleep deprivation without feeling irritable or shaky? How can people use caffeine for peak performance over a long period of sleep deprivation without feeling irritable or shaky? What factors are involved in how caffeine affects the body and how do they affect it? What factors are involved in how caffeine affects the body and how do they affect it? A = [A o e-ln(2)] t / H 1/2 dA/dt = k 1 A dB/dt = -k 2 B+k 3 A Amount of Caffeine in Body (mg) = A Amount in Bloodstream (mg) = B Initial Amount of Caffeine (mg) = A o Half-Life of Caffeine (hrs) = H 1/2

Caffeine Consumption This graph displays the amount of caffeine in the body as it decays as well as how it is absorbed into the blood stream over time. dA/dt = -k 1 A dB/dt = -k 2 B+k 3 A k 1 = ln(2)/H 1/2 k 2 = 2.5 k 3 = 2.7 (Peak 1hr)

Multiple intakes for long-term stamina In order for caffeine to have a long lasting, positive effect, we seek a constant curve at a optimal level of caffeine in the blood ( mg). Totals: 800mg, 580mg, 540mg, 525mg, 520mg

Parameters: Half-life is not a constant Body Mass- inversely proportional to half life, let W : Body Weight (lbs) Smoking- shortens half life, let C : Chemical Constant (0.7+/-0.2) Oral Contraceptives- doubles half life, let C : < H 1/2 < 9.5, 90 < W < 250 Possible Half-life Equation: H 1/2 = C(280-W)/26

Sleep Deprivation: caffeine level is not a measure of alertness Sleep deprivation increases the effects of caffeine (NOTE: both factors into initial alertness and fatigue over time) Energy can be measured by reaction time, fatigue level, mood, judgment, alertness….. Data taken from averages in Caffeine and Human Processing

Studies Show… 200 and 400 concentrations work best for increased energy levels, as well as increments of 300mg every 6 hours or 400 mg every 24 hours. (Caffeine for the Sustainment of Mental Task Performance, Formulations for Military Operations)

Extensions The effect of caffeine also depends on many additional factors, including: The Amount of food in the stomach Whether or not the drinker is a habitual caffeine user Amount of Exercise No matter how much caffeine you have it cannot replace sleep, so energy levels will eventually drop even if caffeine level is kept at an optimal level. Safe for all-nighters, unhealthy for longer periods of time.