5 Intriguing Studies About the Psychology of Coffee

Today is National Coffee Day, and out of all of the ridiculous “national days,” this is one of the few new national holidays that deserves our respect. Coffee is one of the most essential things to the current “operation flow” of human existence. Red Bull and Monster Energy Drink have made a valiant effort in this regard, but they simply can’t compete with the magic of coffee. Coffee is and always will be our caffeine king, and today, we celebrate some intriguing studies about the science of coffee that may interest you.

#5 Coffee Stimulates the Release of the Neurotransmitter Dopamine

According to Gary L. Wenk, a Professor of Psychology & Neuroscience & Molecular Virology, Immunology and Medical Genetics at the Ohio State University and Medical Center, it’s been common knowledge by scientists for many years that coffee stimulates the release of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Dopamine produces the euphoria and brain kickstarter feelings that people often experience after their first cup of coffee each morning.

#4 The Type of Coffee You Drink Can Indicate a Number of Psychological Traits

Are you one of those fancy latté drinkers? Well, a 2013 study determined that latté drinkers are typically comfort seekers; decaffeinated folk are typically obsessive and controlling; people who order sweet or frozen drinks enjoy trends; and that black coffee drinkers are patient but also stubborn. And this is precisely why you should always get coffee for any first Tinder or Bumble date.

 

#3 People Who Order Coffee Black Are More Likely To Be Psychopathic

A 2014 study published in the journal Appetite concluded that people who like their coffee black are more likely to possess anti-social and psychopathic personality traits. The University of Innsbruck in Austria researched studied the taste preferences of around 1,000 people, and discovered those who preferred more bitter tasting foods like black coffee scored way too high on a series personality questionnaires that assessed Machiavellianism, which is a term used in psychology to describe personalities that are dark, psychopathic, narcissistic and sadistic.

 

#2 Coffee May Boost Long-Term Memory

At the end of the day, coffee is the ultimate caffeine intake beverage… with all due respect to Red Bull, but not really. A study published in the journal Nature Neuroscience determined that participants  in the study who had been given caffeine pills had better memory recall. The study used 160 participants ages 18 to 30, and showed them a variety of photos at the outset, asking study subjects to classify the items as “indoor” or “outdoor.” Half the participants were given a caffeine pill after that classification, the other half a placebo. The next day, all participants were shown the same pictures, as well as some they hadn’t seen before. They were asked whether each photo was new, old or similar to the originals. While both groups were able to distinguish between old and new pictures, the researchers discovered that the participants who took the caffeine pills were better at determining which pictures were similar to the first time they saw them.

#1 Coffee Might Make You Live Longer?

Granted, this is based on one study, but there’s research to back it up. Coffee consumption has been linked to lower risks for metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. So drink one more cup. What’s the worst that could happen, you could live longer?

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