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Caffeine and Exercise Performance

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Re: Caffeine and Exercise Performance

#11

Post by busymom0 »

jtwaleson wrote: post #10

I've recently started taking 200mg caffeine pills in the morning instead of coffee. A very cheap and easy way to boost energy in the morning, within about 15 minutes you really want to get out of bed, and no need to walk to the coffee machine. 200 pills are about $5, which is a lot cheaper than coffee. I'll probably tone down the dose, because it's the equivalent of 3 espressos, which is a bit much. I would normally…

When I take it, I break a 200mg caffeine pill in 1/2 or 1/3 and take it couple hours apart. Seems to work better that way for me. I try to operate on only 100mg and occasionally take the second 100mg (remaining of the halved pill).

Also I find that eating a good meal with fats before taking caffeine works better for me. Otherwise I feel sleepy after caffeine.

Also, for faster absorption, I put it under my tongue and let it dissolve. That’s the fastest way to see the effects.

Re: Caffeine and Exercise Performance

#12

Post by aszantu »

AtillaBosma wrote: post #5

A bit unrelated, but I always get sleepy from coffee for some reason. Even yesterday I was just yawning and almost falling asleep between sets at the gym, even though I drank an espresso right before the workout. I had a normal 8 hours of sleep that night too, so don't think it has to do with sleep deprivation. Is this something anyone else has issues with?

I get that from decaf with milk. Also when u re already tired caffeine doesn't work and might make you more tired

Re: Caffeine and Exercise Performance

#13

Post by busymom0 »

AtillaBosma wrote: post #5

A bit unrelated, but I always get sleepy from coffee for some reason. Even yesterday I was just yawning and almost falling asleep between sets at the gym, even though I drank an espresso right before the workout. I had a normal 8 hours of sleep that night too, so don't think it has to do with sleep deprivation. Is this something anyone else has issues with?

I mentioned in this other comment that taking a good meal with fats before caffeine prevents me from feeling sleepy:

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=33018360

Re: Caffeine and Exercise Performance

#14

Post by bheadmaster »

jtwaleson wrote: post #10

I've recently started taking 200mg caffeine pills in the morning instead of coffee. A very cheap and easy way to boost energy in the morning, within about 15 minutes you really want to get out of bed, and no need to walk to the coffee machine. 200 pills are about $5, which is a lot cheaper than coffee. I'll probably tone down the dose, because it's the equivalent of 3 espressos, which is a bit much. I would normally…

I've used 200mg caffeine pills back in college, exactly for the purpose of waking up in the morning.

For me, the tolerance made the effect go away after a month or two. I could take a caffeine pill, and go back to sleep. I had to start taking two, then three, until one morning I took so many I was basically shaking from caffeine, yet I was still sleepy.

Maybe it was just me, though. Everyone's metabolism is different.

Re: Caffeine and Exercise Performance

#15

Post by bheadmaster »

pgt wrote: post #4
mckirk wrote: post #3

For people interested in using caffeine for tasks that don't provide an outlet for the jitteriness in the form of physical exercise: Check out L-Theanine[1], it works wonders for keeping caffeine's focus, but dampening the anxiousness. [1]: https://examine.com/supplements/theanine/

L-theanine is the active non-sedative anxiolytic in green tea that gives it such a "smooth high" when combined with its methylxanthine stimulants, theobromine and caffeine - which are natural pesticides, by the way. Anecdote of one: I stopped taking L-Theanine because I would experience a noticeable comedown of apathy two days later.

> I stopped taking L-Theanine because I would experience a noticeable comedown of apathy two days later.

This was also my experience, but not two days later - the same day. I'd take L-Theanine, feel okay for a few hours, then feel extremely irritable and anxious for the rest of the day. More L-Theanine didn't help.

Re: Caffeine and Exercise Performance

#16

Post by omgmajk »

AtillaBosma wrote: post #5

A bit unrelated, but I always get sleepy from coffee for some reason. Even yesterday I was just yawning and almost falling asleep between sets at the gym, even though I drank an espresso right before the workout. I had a normal 8 hours of sleep that night too, so don't think it has to do with sleep deprivation. Is this something anyone else has issues with?

Coffee makes me alert when I need to sleep and sleepy when I need to stay alert.

Re: Caffeine and Exercise Performance

#17

Post by elevaet »

jtwaleson wrote: post #10

I've recently started taking 200mg caffeine pills in the morning instead of coffee. A very cheap and easy way to boost energy in the morning, within about 15 minutes you really want to get out of bed, and no need to walk to the coffee machine. 200 pills are about $5, which is a lot cheaper than coffee. I'll probably tone down the dose, because it's the equivalent of 3 espressos, which is a bit much. I would normally…

I've thought of doing this before, but ended up sticking with coffee because there seem to be health benefits associated with drinking coffee that are not related to the caffeine itself (because the benefits show up for decaf drinkers too).

But more importantly, I just really enjoy drinking coffee. It's one pleasure in my daily ritual.

edit: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5696634/

Re: Caffeine and Exercise Performance

#18

Post by marban »

I work out 2h/d/365d and used to take 450mg boosters, incl. the usual suspects like Citrullin, β-A, etc. every morning. Went cold turkey and I'm now at a single shot of Espresso pre-workout — and the best shape of my life (mid-40). Sleep and nutrition are key; don't get dependent on whatever supplement you think is necessary.

Re: Caffeine and Exercise Performance

#19

Post by tomalaci »

Caffeine combined with L-Theanine does seem provide slight boost for focus to me.

That said, I think biggest mood/focus/energy difference (besides a nice workout which is also important) for me was getting vitamins and other micronutrients in order. I highly suggest you to do a blood test or two per year for all the common vitamins/micronutrients to see which you need to fix.

For men, I think it is especially important to get magnesium, vitamin D and zinc in order; lack of any will likely affect your testosterone levels negatively which will then screw you up in many more ways.

For example, way back I had critically low vitamin D resulting me in frequently getting sick and having periods of complete lack of energy; fixed that and I did not even get common cold for a long time, also no longer random days with no energy.

You shouldn't overly rely on nootropics, caffeine+l-theanine or other supplements to cover up base deficiencies with your micros.

Re: Caffeine and Exercise Performance

#20

Post by ubercore »

bheadmaster wrote: post #15
pgt wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

L-theanine is the active non-sedative anxiolytic in green tea that gives it such a "smooth high" when combined with its methylxanthine stimulants, theobromine and caffeine - which are natural pesticides, by the way. Anecdote of one: I stopped taking L-Theanine because I would experience a noticeable comedown of apathy two days later.

> I stopped taking L-Theanine because I would experience a noticeable comedown of apathy two days later. This was also my experience, but not two days later - the same day. I'd take L-Theanine, feel okay for a few hours, then feel extremely irritable and anxious for the rest of the day. More L-Theanine didn't help.

Exactly this happens to me as well.
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