The Best time to Drink Coffee

The Best time to Drink Coffee

"Caffeine is known to have certain neuroprotective effects. It can increase neuromodulators, such as dopamine, but also other catecholamines like norepinephrine... these are molecules that increase levels of alertness, motivation, and drive." - AH

Caffeine is wonderful. But only when you consume it at the right times.

There are 2 important time periods to be aware of: early morning and the afternoon.

1. In the early morning, you need to wait at least 90 minutes after waking up before drinking caffeine.
   ​If this is hard for you, start doing 15 minutes jumps. If you wake up at 7 am and drink it at 7:30, delay it till 7:45 today, then 8:00 tomorrow, and so on.
   ​

2. Caffeine enhances alertness so much that if you drink it too late, it'll ruin your sleep. That's why you should stop drinking around 2-4 pm at the latest (8-10 hours before sleep).

This makes the ideal window (for most people) between 8 am and 3 pm. Staying within this window allows you to avoid the afternoon crash and get even better sleep.

So continue enjoying your coffee/espressos as normal! But keep it within that time frame. If anything, for today, try to make it at least 15 minutes closer to that timing.

Disclaimer: This is not about restricting caffeine intake. It's about the timing of the intake.

Andrew talks about the timing and benefits in the caffeine episode.

"Caffeine is known to have certain neuroprotective effects. It can increase neuromodulators, such as dopamine, but also other catecholamines like norepinephrine... these are molecules that increase levels of alertness, motivation, and drive." - AH

Caffeine is wonderful. But only when you consume it at the right times.

There are 2 important time periods to be aware of: early morning and the afternoon.

1. In the early morning, you need to wait at least 90 minutes after waking up before drinking caffeine.
   ​If this is hard for you, start doing 15 minutes jumps. If you wake up at 7 am and drink it at 7:30, delay it till 7:45 today, then 8:00 tomorrow, and so on.
   ​

2. Caffeine enhances alertness so much that if you drink it too late, it'll ruin your sleep. That's why you should stop drinking around 2-4 pm at the latest (8-10 hours before sleep).

This makes the ideal window (for most people) between 8 am and 3 pm. Staying within this window allows you to avoid the afternoon crash and get even better sleep.

So continue enjoying your coffee/espressos as normal! But keep it within that time frame. If anything, for today, try to make it at least 15 minutes closer to that timing.

Disclaimer: This is not about restricting caffeine intake. It's about the timing of the intake.

Andrew talks about the timing and benefits in the caffeine episode.