Caffeine and Alcohol?

[JABWS]

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First, a two part question:

For those who regularly enjoy caffeine-containing products, how has medical school affected your overall consumption level? Also, are there any specific times where your use of coffee, energy drinks, etc.. increased/decreased dramatically?

Next, how would you answer the previous questions as they pertain to alcohol consumption?

And finally, just as an aside, do you feel like either substance has had a significant impact, either positive or negative, on your performance in medical school?

 

[GoSpursGo]

Moving to pre-allo.

 

[armybound]

I drink a lot more caffeine now than I used to because I never drank caffeine prior to medical school and now I'm a 1 cup a day every day person. Sometimes 2 if I'm dragging in the afternoon. I used to drink Monsters fairly regularly during 1st year but gave that up because they made me feel like crap and there was no real reason for it.

I probably drink alcohol more often now than before, but in less quantity per occasion. Sometimes I just want to have a beer after I get home from the hospital. It does somewhat negatively impact my schooling because I don't study when I drink, but when I need to study I will make sure I don't drink. I always get my work done, and I'm not drinking to get drunk.

 

[JABWS]

I drink a lot more caffeine now than I used to because I never drank caffeine prior to medical school and now I'm a 1 cup a day every day person. Sometimes 2 if I'm dragging in the afternoon. I used to drink Monsters fairly regularly during 1st year but gave that up because they made me feel like crap and there was no real reason for it.

I probably drink more alcohol often now than before, but in less quantity per occasion. Sometimes I just want to have a beer after I get home from the hospital. It does somewhat negatively impact my schooling because I don't study when I drink, but when I need to study I will make sure I don't drink. I always get my work done, and I'm not drinking to get drunk.

Thanks for the response! I'm guessing this prompt, as it's written, won't get very much traction now that it's in pre-allo, so if any pre-meds want to apply the questions to undergrad, that would be cool as well.

 

[MedPR]

5hr, energy drinks, and other caffeinated things for studying. Otherwise I don't really consume them.

 

[armybound]

Thanks for the response! I'm guessing this prompt, as it's written, won't get very much traction now that it's in pre-allo, so if any pre-meds want to apply the questions to undergrad, that would be cool as well.

plenty of med students read pre-allo, it will get answered. I'm sure the upcoming MS3s are just freaking out over starting clinicals tomorrow and the MS4s are probably off drinking somewhere

 

[startswithb]

I used to drink a lot more coffee than I do now. I drank a lot in the beginning of first year, but toward the end, when I was really pushing myself, I became so stressed that epinephrine was enough. Adding another stimulant to the mix could send me over the edge. That's probably a little extreme, but it did happen to me and now (during the summer) I only drink it if I'm actually tired. I miss the ritual, but I also realized I was drinking it more out of habit and the psychological "if I drink this I will study better" concept. Not only that, but drinking less if any helps me sleep better. I heard some of my classmates mention how they were drinking tons of coffee during the day and then alcohol or sleep aids at night. Get rid of both and see if you can get back in touch with your normal circadian rhythm.

 

[JABWS]

I used to drink a lot more coffee than I do now. I drank a lot in the beginning of first year, but toward the end, when I was really pushing myself, I became so stressed that epinephrine was enough. Adding another stimulant to the mix could send me over the edge. That's probably a little extreme, but it did happen to me and now (during the summer) I only drink it if I'm actually tired. I miss the ritual, but I also realized I was drinking it more out of habit and the psychological "if I drink this I will study better" concept. Not only that, but drinking less if any helps me sleep better. I heard some of my classmates mention how they were drinking tons of coffee during the day and then alcohol or sleep aids at night. Get rid of both and see if you can get back in touch with your normal circadian rhythm.

Speaking of epinephrine (and I hope not to completely de-rail my own thread), but I've noticed a new feeling of anxiety since taking the MCAT, beginning interviews, and now with the anticipation of starting medical school. I guess it's because I've put so much time and energy into reaching a single goal, but I find myself getting "stressed" out much more often. As an apathetic high school student and a late bloomer in college, it's not something I'm too familiar with, and quite frankly, I'm already annoyed by it. Please tell me this goes away at some point and doesn't continue to worsen throughout medical school?

 

[armybound]

you should be terrified right now, and there will be many more moments where you get terrified (first day of third year, etc) but it will all get better. even just as a 4th year I'd say my confidence is way up compared to third year.

of course when internship starts.. back to terrified

 

[JABWS]

you should be terrified right now, and there will be many more moments where you get terrified (first day of third year, etc) but it will all get better. even just as a 4th year I'd say my confidence is way up compared to third year.

of course when internship starts.. back to terrified

It makes me feel better to hear it from someone else. Terrified is an apt word to describe how I'm feeling at the moment. It's like you take all of these steps towards getting into medical school without truly contemplating the reality of the situation, until one day it sinks in and you're left saying, holy crap, what did I get myself into. Don't get me wrong, I'm incredibly excited, but also terrified at the same time 😱

 

[tiedyeddog]

I consume at least two times as much caffeine and at least two times as much alcohol compared to what I did in undergrad.

 

[tima]

Speaking of beer, what brands do you like? Corona?

 

[DavetheMD]

Speaking of beer, what brands do you like? Corona?

Corona is sold without limes?

 

[tima]

Yeah, I forgot the to put the lime. So, Corona with lime?

Corona is sold without limes?

 

[tiedyeddog]

Yeah, I forgot the to put the lime. So, Corona with lime?

If you like Corona you are letting the terrorists win.

 

[tima]

So, your motto is drink American, buy American cars.

Helping the economy is a good thing.

If you like Corona you are letting the terrorists win.

 

[NickNaylor]

I drank fairly regularly in undergrad, but I've actually been pretty turned off about drinking since starting medical school. Not sure why, but nothing about it seems appealing anymore. I'll still drink a beer every once and a while and I'm a big wine fan, but I don't even remember the last time I had a cocktail, much less a shot.

Caffeine consumption also increased with medical school, but I intentionally try to limit myself to "only when necessary" in order to avoid overt addiction. However like army I'd say during the year I was doing the equivalent of a cup of coffee a day (lots of coffee, sugar-free Red Bull, and Diet Mountain Dew).

 

[tiedyeddog]

So, your motto is drink American, buy American cars.

Helping the economy is a good thing.

I was just kidding about the terrorists thing. But really, if you have to add fruit to a beer to make it drinkable you know it is terrible.

Dos equis is a way better Mexican import. Hell, even tecate is better....