Many Americans rely on a cup of coffee or two to three cups of coffee to improve their morning and energy, but new research shows that the cognitive superpowers of stimulants may be more limited than previously thought.

Researchers Researchers from Michigan State University’s Sleep and Learning Laboratory found that caffeine made simple attention tasks easier after a night of sleep deprivation, but did not improve the performance of more complex “occupying” functions. These higher-level goals require a series of tasks to be completed in a specific order without skipping or repeating any steps.

Associate Professor of Psychology Kimberly Fenn and her team studied the effects caffeine Counteract the impact of lack of sleep on cognition. More than 275 participants were asked to complete a space-occupying task and a vigilant attention task at night, and then were randomly assigned to either stay up all night in the sleep laboratory or sleep at home.

On the second day, the participants were given 200 mg caffeine capsules or a placebo, and then they were asked to repeat the above two tasks.

“We found that sleep deprivation can impair the performance of these two tasks, and caffeine can help people successfully complete easier tasks. However, for most participants, caffeine has little effect on the performance of the space-occupying task. ” Say.

“Caffeine can improve the ability to stay awake and complete a task, but it does little to prevent procedural errors that can lead to medical errors and traffic accidents.”

She said that sleep deprivation is a major problem in the United States.according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, About one-third of Americans don’t get enough sleep.

During the pandemic, the situation will only get worse. Fenn added that continuous lack of sleep not only affects your cognitive ability, but also affects your mood and immune system.

“Caffeine can increase energy, reduce sleepiness, and even improve mood, but it definitely cannot replace a whole night of sleep. Although people may feel that caffeine can be used to combat sleep deprivation, their performance on higher-level tasks may still This is one of the reasons why sleep deprivation is so dangerous.”

Other studies have also questioned the ability of caffeine to reduce the effects of sleep deprivation.in A study Participants had only five hours of sleep per night for five consecutive days. 200 mg of caffeine twice a day helped to improve alertness and cognitive abilities in the first two days, but the longer the sleep deprivation lasted, the more effective it was. Will stagnate.

according to Sleep FoundationCaffeine blocks adenosine receptors in the brain, thereby promoting sleep. Normally, the chemical adenosine accumulates in the brain during the day until you are ready to go to bed. Caffeine slows down the process, allowing you to stay alert for longer.

Sleep experts say that if you drink too much caffeine in one night, it will also affect your sleep quality the next night, forming a vicious circle, making you increasingly dependent on caffeine to spend the day.

This Sleep Foundation The following tips are suggested to help you get a good night’s sleep regularly:

1. Establish a realistic bedtime and stick to it every night, even on weekends
2. Maintain a comfortable temperature and low illumination in the bedroom
3. Try not to watch TV, computers, tablets, mobile phones or other electronic devices in the room
4. Refuse caffeine, alcohol and large meals until you go to bed
5. Exercise during the day to help you relax at night

Michigan State University’s research was published in the latest edition of the Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition.