Caffeine consumption has beneficial effects on alertness, concentration and motor performance, but it would have no effect on creative thinking, say American psychologists at the University of Arkansas.
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Caffeine is an organic compound found in coffee, certain teas, sodas and chocolate. It is by far the most widely consumed nervous system stimulant on the planet.
In Western culture, caffeine is often associated with artistic activities and creative lifestyles, such as the writers ‘coffee or the programmers’ energy drink.
However, if the cognitive benefits of caffeine are well understood, its effects on creativity are much less clear.
Researcher Darya Zabelina and her colleagues wanted to better understand the effect of moderate caffeine consumption on problem solving with a single correct answer (i.e. convergent thinking) and the generation of creative ideas (i.e. divergent thinking) for which multiple responses are appropriate.
Landmarks
- In liquid form, caffeine begins to work in a few minutes and produces its full effect in about half an hour.
- Too much caffeine can cause headaches and upset stomachs.
- It can also delay sleep and have a diuretic effect.
- For healthy adults, Health Canada recommends a maximum daily intake of 400 mg, the equivalent of three 8-ounce cups of brewed coffee.
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In the experiment, 80 volunteers randomly received either a 200 mg caffeine tablet (equivalent to a cup of strong coffee) or a placebo.
The results of the study show that caffeine consumption improves convergent thinking, but has no significant impact on divergent thinking.
The 200 mg significantly improved problem solving, but had no effect on creative thinking.
It hasn’t made the situation worse either, so you can continue drinking your coffee; it will not interfere with these abilities
continues Ms. Zabelina.
The details of this study are published in the journal Consciousness and Cognition (New window) (in English).
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