College students and caffeine are a notorious combo. The short-term benefits include mood elevation, increased attention span, increased cognitive function and fewer depressive symptoms according to a study done by Florida State University. However, the average college student consumes more than 800mg of caffeine per day. For context, the FDA states that 400mg of caffeine per day is safe for a healthy adult, any more than that could potentially be harmful. Increases in anxiety, mood swings, heart palpitations and insomnia may occur after 1,000mg of caffeine, which equates to about 10 cups of coffee.

Out of curiosity, I conducted a survey that measured what the students at Arkansas State University were consuming for caffeine, how much they were consuming and if they felt dependent on it. Out of 59 students, 79% consume 3-4 servings of coffee or tea per day. 45% of students answered that they felt dependent on caffeine, and 18% of students confirmed that they consumed at least 4-5 servings of caffeine per day that weren’t coffee, tea, or energy drinks. The results were varied, with 12 students who participated that stated they did not consume any caffeine at all. However, if 79% of the students that participated consume 3-4 cups of coffee a day, that reaches the average of 800mg of caffeine. 

50% of the students that answered the survey said they got their caffeine fix at Starbucks, one of the C-stores or a vending machine. 

“I do feel a lot better about my day after I’ve had my coffee,” said Ally Summers, a senior vocal music education major from Jonesboro. “I feel better about my day when I have had my coffee. I never feel the greatest when I start to crash, and then I need more. It’s an awful routine, but it gets me through a busy day. I guess you could say I am very dependent on caffeine.”

The feeling of dependency without gratification is a common symptom of daily caffeine usage, and this feeling is one that Grace Farish, a senior health studies major from Brookland, experiences. “I don’t think caffeine has a heavy impact on my performance in school, and I drink caffeine daily,” said Farish. “It makes me somewhat more alert and the more I consume it, the more dependency I have. I’d like to wean myself off but I’ve relied on caffeine for so long I worry that I wouldn’t be as productive without it.” 

After a tour of the campus stores, I realized that a lot of the options are caffeinated. Carbonated beverages that range between 46 and 300 milligrams of caffeine, iced coffee drinks that range between 200 and 300 milligrams of caffeine and energy drinks that range from 300 to 500 milligrams of caffeine. There are also vending machines in almost every building where caffeine is available at the touch of a button. In the campus store in the Reng Student Union they sell Awake chocolate bars, which contain 101 milligrams of caffeine per bar. The Starbucks in the Reng Student Union and the Einstein Bro’s restaurant in the Humanities and Social Sciences building also serve as caffeine quick stops, where a coffee can be paired with a snack or two. 

In the campus stores and at Einstein’s, there are no limits as to how much caffeine a student can consume per day. One of the baristas at the campus Starbucks stated that they recommend to the students not to add any more than seven espresso shots to each coffee, but there is technically no limit. For context, one blond roast from Starbucks contains 360 milligrams of caffeine per 16 fl oz and one espresso shot contains 75 milligrams of caffeine per shot. Altogether this equates to 885 milligrams of caffeine which puts students at risk for health problems like heart murmurs and insomnia regardless of health status. 

Caffeinated drinks and items are easily accessible on campus with seemingly no limit, but the health risks and the dependency are always at stake. Caffeine is classified as a stimulant and is reputed as highly addictive and while mild consumption here and there is safe and can encourage progress there is no denying the immunity that follows after a long period of consumption and use. Pacing yourself with caffeine is key to success in school without the looming worry of what may lie ahead with prolonged and heavy caffeine intake.

Categories: Life