There’s no shortage of health trends making the rounds on social media. One of the latest hacks to go viral is ‘caffeine delay’.
It’s a simple concept – instead of consuming your coffee immediately after you wake up, wait 90-120 minutes for that first cup of joe.
The theory is that by delaying your caffeine intake, you also delay that mid-afternoon slump.
The idea was popularised by controversial American neuroscientist and wellness influencer Andrew Huberman.
In a 2022 Instagram post, he explained that morning coffee drinkers would crash by the afternoon, then turn to a second coffee to pep back up, only to disrupt their sleep.
Hence, if you’re prone to an afternoon slump, delaying your first coffee could be a good idea.
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Huberman later clarified that the concept of a caffeine delay may not work for everyone. However, many people may find it beneficial for maintaining balanced energy levels and reducing caffeine dependency.
I know a number of “I like my coffee first thing when I wake up” folks feel unseen, and unheard by the 90-120min delay crowd. I’m here to tell you it’s OK. Do what works for you! (We will cover for you while you’re napping in the afternoon— just kidding; naps & NSDR are great).
— Andrew D. Huberman, Ph.D. (@hubermanlab) December 13, 2023
