For those long days when you’re experiencing sleep deprivation, relying on caffeine may not be the answer. According to a new study from Michigan State University, caffeine can only get you so far after a rough night’s sleep.
The study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory & Cognition analyzed the impact of caffeine after a night of sleep deprivation in over 275 participants. Each person was required to complete a simple attention task as well as a more challenging task known as “placekeeping,” which required the completion of tasks in a specific order without repeating steps.
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It was found that sleep deprivation impaired performance on both types of tasks. However, caffeine did help people successfully achieve the easier task. But, it had little effect on the performance of the placekeeping task for most of the participants.
This means that caffeine may help people stay awake after sleep deprivation and help them achieve simple tasks. However, it doesn’t do much to prevent procedural errors that can cause things like car accidents and medical mistakes.
Sleep Deprivation in the United States
Sleep deprivation has been a rising problem in the US, but during the pandemic, it has intensified. Lacking sleep can affect cognition and alter mood. If it is not fixed, it can eventually take a toll on immunity.
Study author, Kimberly Fenn explained, “Caffeine increases energy, reduces sleepiness and can even improve mood, but it absolutely does not replace a full night of sleep. Although people may feel as if they can combat sleep deprivation with caffeine, their performance on higher-level tasks will likely still be impaired. This is one of the reasons why sleep deprivation can be so dangerous.”
As the first study to investigate the effect of caffeine on placekeeping after sleep deprivation, researchers hope it can bring light to the dangers of the situation. With an increased risk of procedural errors, this could mean broad implications for those who must perform high-stakes procedures with insufficient sleep. These professions include surgeons, pilots, and police officers.
This study helps to underscore the importance of prioritizing sleep. To get a good night’s rest, be sure to sleep in a dark, cool room with no distractions. Turn off all electronics about an hour before bedtime, and if needed, perform controlled breathing or meditation before hitting the sheets.
Sarah began her interest in nutritional healing at an early age. After going through health problems and becoming frustrated with the conventional ways doctors wanted to treat her illness (which were not working), she took it upon herself to find alternative treatments. This led her to revolutionize her own diet to help her get healthier and tackle her health problems. She began treating her illness by living a more balanced lifestyle through healthy food choices, exercise and other alternative medicine such as meditation. This total positive lifestyle change led her to earn a diploma in Nutritional Therapy from Health Sciences Academy in London, England. Today, Sarah enjoys helping others by teaching healthy lifestyle changes through her personal consultations and with her regular contributions to the Doctors Health Press. Also, passionate about following her dreams in life, Sarah moved to France and lived in Paris for over 5 years where she earned a certification in beadwork and embroidery from Lesage (an atelier owned by Chanel). She then went on to be a familiar face sitting front row and reporting from Paris Fashion Week. Sarah continues to practice some of the cultural ways of life she learned while in Europe. They enjoy their food, and take the time to relax and enjoy many of life’s little moments. These are life lessons she is glad to have brought back home with her.
