Caffeine
Stimulant discussed as increasing dopamine modestly and influencing receptor density; includes yerba mate as a related caffeine source.
Research
Common Themes
Videos Mentioning Caffeine
Essentials: The Biology of Taste Perception & Sugar Craving | Dr. Charles Zuker
Andrew Huberman
Caffeine referenced as part of coffee’s effect on neural systems and perceived reward.
Controlling Your Dopamine For Motivation, Focus & Satisfaction
Andrew Huberman
Stimulant discussed as increasing dopamine modestly and influencing receptor density; includes yerba mate as a related caffeine source.
#48–Matt Walker, Ph.D., on Sleep (Part 2 of 3): Heart disease, cancer, causes of sleep disruption...
Peter Attia MD
Mentioned as a substance that manipulates adenosine levels, thus affecting wakefulness.
All Things Sleep (Weight Gain, Alzheimer’s Disease, Caffeine, and More) — Dr. Matthew Walker
Tim Ferriss
A psychoactive stimulant that blocks adenosine receptors, preventing the signal of sleepiness. It can disrupt sleep, increase anxiety, and selectively reduce deep non-REM sleep due to its long half-life.
AMA #4: Maintain Motivation, Improve REM Sleep, Set Goals, Manage Anxiety & More
Andrew Huberman
A substance that can increase dopamine receptors and potency, beneficial for some but potentially problematic for those with anxiety or if consumed too late in the day.
Dr. Andy Galpin: Maximize Recovery to Achieve Fitness & Performance Goals | Huberman Lab
Andrew Huberman
A stimulant that can acutely enhance performance but overuse can diminih its effect and lead to crashes.
Insights from Dr. Matthew Walker, Adam Grant/Atul Gawande, Diana Chapman, & Rich Roll/David Goggins
Tim Ferriss
A psychoactive stimulant that can make falling asleep and staying asleep more difficult, leading to sleep fragmentation, and potentially reducing deep sleep.
My Conversation With Marc Andreessen, Co-Founder of a16z & Netscape
David Senra
Marc Andreessen discusses his high consumption of caffeine, noting it's a 'marvelous thing' but can be overdone, leading to heart palpitations.
The Science of Healthy Hair, Hair Loss and How to Regrow Hair
Andrew Huberman
Applied topically it acts as a PDE inhibitor, indirectly stimulating IGF-1, extending the anagen phase, and reducing apoptosis of stem cells, making it effective for offsetting hair loss with fewer side effects than minoxidil. Oral ingestion is largely ineffective for hair growth.
Optimizing Workspace for Productivity, Focus, & Creativity
Andrew Huberman
A stimulant mentioned as something people use to wake up, though the discussion moves beyond it to environmental factors.
The Science of Setting & Achieving Goals
Andrew Huberman
A substance that can increase the number of dopamine receptors, making existing dopamine more effective in activating motivational states.
Developing a Rational Approach to Supplementation for Health & Performance | Huberman Lab Podcast
Andrew Huberman
A stimulant molecule that increases alertness and focus, with optimal dosages typically 1-3mg per kilogram of body weight. Taking breaks from caffeine can enhance its effects.
Optimize Your Learning & Creativity With Science-Based Tools | Huberman Lab Essentials
Andrew Huberman
Substance used to increase alertness by suppressing adenosine; its effectiveness is optimized by delaying intake until 2 hours after waking.
AMA #2: Improve Sleep, Reduce Sugar Cravings, Optimal Protein Intake, Stretching Frequency & More
Andrew Huberman
Discussed as a disruptor of slow-wave and REM sleep if consumed within 8-12 hours of bedtime.
Capsaicin, Multivitamins, and Time Off (Episode 60)
Stronger By Science
A supplement mechanistically compared to capsaicin for its effects on calcium kinetics, perceived pain, and perceived exertion during exercise.
Q&A Extravaganza (Episode 58)
Stronger By Science
A compound whose interaction with creatine is still not definitively understood, despite common consensus.
How to Focus to Change Your Brain | Huberman Lab Essentials
Andrew Huberman
A common substance used to increase alertness.
The Science of Eating for Health, Fat Loss & Lean Muscle | Dr. Layne Norton
Andrew Huberman
A widely used supplement that consistently improves performance; its effects are observed even in habitual users. Can cause withdrawal symptoms like grogginess and headaches.
Master Your Sleep & Be More Alert When Awake | Huberman Lab Essentials
Andrew Huberman
Acts as an adenosine antagonist, blocking the sleepiness signal and waking people up. It also increases dopamine levels.
Bench Angles, Appetitive Traits, and Mesocycle Progression (Episode 47)
Stronger By Science
A compound Greg Knuckles learned was dangerous in powder form, so he no longer buys it as such; later discussed as an ergogenic aid for strength and power.
Season Finale: Tons of New Meta-Analyses and Q&A Catch-Up (Episode 46)
Stronger By Science
Discussed as a stimulant whose jittery and anxious side effects can be attenuated by L-Theanine, especially at high doses.
Betaine, Sodium Bicarbonate, and Evaluating New Research as it Develops (Episode 45)
Stronger By Science
A stimulant with a strong positive impact on maximal strength, albeit with a trivial to small effect size, whose positive effects became clear as literature developed.
#14 – Robert Lustig, M.D., M.S.L.: fructose, processed food, NAFLD, and changing the food system
Peter Attia MD
A stimulant commonly consumed in coffee, discussed as a personal addiction of Peter Atia.
How to Lose Fat with Science-Based Tools
Andrew Huberman
A stimulant that can enhance performance and increase fat oxidation anywhere from 100-400 milligrams prior to exercise, by releasing more epinephrine and adrenaline.