There are many reasons why people drink coffee. For many though, it is their favorite energy-boosting drink. Coffee is also good for the brain, particularly memory as it helps prevent early dementia. With more caffeine studies emerging, you can now add being happy as one of the effects of coffee.
According to a study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health, coffee can help people become more positive in life. The study saw the link between caffeine and lower suicide rate. To take advantage of this benefit, you need to drink two to four cups of coffee every day. You can also choose tea or chocolates with the same amount of caffeine as at least two cups of coffee. Doing so, according to the researchers, can decrease the odds of self-killing by up to 50%.
How the Research was Performed
The caffeine study by the Harvard School of Public Health involved three pre-exiting studies where there are at least 40,000 men and more than 150,000 women. Based on the findings, caffeine can provide the same effects as a mild antidepressant and not just a stimulant. Combining these two effects can make coffee or any caffeinated drink or food a powerful drug.
How Does Coffee Do This?
Although the results were published in the World Journal of Biological Psychology, the reason why coffee lowers the risk of suicide is not highlighted enough. Nevertheless, speculations begin to form and many experts believe that coffee does have the ability to make people feel good. One cause is the fact that caffeinated drinks can tap into almost every known reward system for the brain. Coffee can provide almost the same effects as some drugs, including marijuana.
The study though stressed that coffee stimulates the central nervous system by increasing the production of neurotransmitters in the brain, such as noradrenaline, serotonin, and dopamine.
Some Things to Note
While science does confirm that coffee can alleviate suicidal risks, it is still not the beverage of choice when it comes to curing depression. Although it can help prevent depression, this does not mean it can cure it. Additionally, those who may have suicidal thoughts may want to stick to two to four cups daily. Increasing your intake will not help and could even cause harm. One more thing: caffeine may reduce your sleep time and could make you twitchy.
Even though there are some caveats involved in drinking coffee, this beverage can give you the positivity advantage you may have been looking for.