Effects of Caffeine Observed:

Recently, I’ve been in the process of consuming different levels of caffeine each day in an effort to feel more focused and to go through my long study days better. It’s not an effective method in the long run, but I was hoping to gain short term advantages. That did not happen today: 

As a reminder to myself, and to anyone: try not to take over 300 milligrams of caffeine — which is equivalent to about 4 cups of brewed coffee. *__* Without realizing, I accidentally took 3 caffeine pills (which is 120 mg, a little more than a cup of coffee?) and a few hours later I drank a “5 hour Extra Strength Energy Drink,” (200mg) which is already intense by itself. I seem to naturally have a caffeine tolerance, so green tea, regular coffee (which I don’t like), and a 12 oz can of a Red Bull does not seem to have much of an effect.  

I did feel a surge of ‘energy’, but having energy does not equate to having more focus or concentration. On the bright side, it did help me understand a complicated concept that I’ve been tackling, but my thought processes are also very fast. I wrote faster than usual on my scraps of paper, meaning that I was susceptible to mistakes. I might have even felt more distracted than usual. I had a mild headache (and still do), and my heart rate was palpitating just a little bit. I did not experience hyperness or jitteriness, fortunately. Normally, it may affect someone more than that, but the point is: you know that you’re drinking too much caffeine you’ve strayed far from your original intentions or expected performance. (And to be honest, I’m also writing this entry to distract myself from my headache. I think it’s working. I feel better now. :D)