"The next morning was three times worsethan a hangover." -- Carrie Kauffman, Ohio University student 

by EDWARD STUBENRAUCH
The Post (Ohio U.)

(U-WIRE) ATHENS, Ohio - When Ohio University junior Carrie Kaufman needed to study all night for a test, she turned to caffeine to give her that extra kick. 

But she did not realize that studying, drinking Dr Pepper and taking NoDoz all night would leave her feeling ill the next day. 

After 45 minutes of sleep, Kaufman woke to find her body shaking. Her stomach was nauseous, and her head was spinning. Getting to the test became more of a worry than taking it. 

"My body was combating against the two (caffeine and sleep)," she said. "The next morning was three times worse than a hangover." 

Kaufman, like other college students, is sometimes overwhelmed with her responsibilities. The pills gave her the energy she needed to stay awake and study, but she said staying awake did not help her learn more. 

Caffeine is a stimulant that affects the body’s central nervous system and causes arousal and diminishes the sense of fatigue, said Stephanie Dorgan, assistant director of the Department of Health Education and Wellness. 

While caffeine stimulates the formation of ideas and thoughts, it does not improve learning, she said. Still, some students seek help in the drug. 

The generic equivalent of NoDoz, a caffeine supplement, is the top selling supplement at the Athens CVS Pharmacy, 32 S. Court St. There are between six and eight packs sold daily, and students prefer the cheaper brands, CVS pharmacist Hugh McPhail said. 

McPhail said there is a small increase in sales around finals, but they have slightly increased overall this year. 

Kaufman said she would never take caffeine pills again, but she is open to alternative energy supplements. 

Some popular natural energy supplements include Siberian and Korean ginsengs, guarana, spiruilna and Barlean’s greens, said Lisa Dill, assistant manager of the vitamin section at Farmacy Natural and Specialty Foods, 28 W. Stimson Ave. 

The most popular is guarana which gives a high identical to caffeine, she said. It gives a shaky buzz but contains no caffeine or acid. 

Other popular products are Korean and Siberian ginsengs. The Siberian ginseng provides users with an overall feeling of wellness and is used for stress relief. 

Korean ginseng gives more of an energy boost but might cause the user to become irritable, Dill said. 

For overall health, Dill suggests Barlean’s greens, which is a powder made from vegetables and provides vitamins and anti-oxidants. 

Because both natural remedies and caffeine alter the body, Dorgan said they should be taken in moderation. 
 
 

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