The effect of self-regulated caffeine use on cognition in young adults

Objective Based on previous observational studies that have suggested self‐regulated caffeine use by older adults may enhance reaction time performance and vigilance on cognitive tasks, the current study sought to examine whether this effect held true for young adults as well. Methods One hundred and four young adults from two major metropolitan areas, ages 18–29 years, not meeting the criteria for a current psychiatric disorder, completed several cognitive tasks related to decision‐making (Cambridge Gamble Task), response inhibition and reaction time (stop‐signal task), and vigilance and reaction time (Rapid Visual Information Processing). Caffeine usage was self‐reported using a reliable quantity and frequency questionnaire. Results Self‐reported caffeine usage was not significantly associated with any of the cognitive measures used in this study after controlling for age, gender, cigarette smoking, alcohol use, cannabis use, and gambling frequency. Conclusions These data suggest that self‐regulated caffeine usage may not have a significant impact on reaction time, vigilance, response inhibition, or decision‐making in young adults, or that these effects are contingent upon other variables not accounted for in the current study. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.