THE EFFECTS OF CAFFEINE: IS IT A COGNITIVE ACTIVITY

ENHANCER OR A DISASTROUS PSYCHOTROPIC DRUG?

A Qualitative Research Study

Presented to the

Faculty of the Senior High School

Ozamiz City National High School

Ozamiz City

In Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for the Subject

Practical Research I

Research Adviser:
Ms. Nidelyn Rios

Researchers:
Abad, Carol Rose E.
Beldad, Aelma Joanah A.
Culanag, Ax’l Mar T.
Gumera, Cherry Mae L.
Legarte, Ivan Lee L.

March 2019
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First and foremost, we would like to owe our deepest gratitude to our gracious

and lovingly Almighty Father for giving us the wisdom, perseverance and knowledge in

accomplishing our study. Without the helping hand of Him, we would do nothing and we

cannot finish our study successfully.

We would also like to thank the people behind this success. First of them

is our very dynamic and ingenious Practical Research adviser Ms. Nidelyn Rios, our

sincerest appreciation for being so approachable and active. Thank you so much ma’am

for all the knowledge you shared and for all the sacrifices you made for us. Thank you

very much for the unending support from the beginning to the end of our study. Thank

you also for our coresearchers and friends for being supportive, not only in terms of

financial assistance but also for being our greatest motivators at all times.

We also like extend our greatest gratitude to the prestigious sections of

ABM-A 11 and STEM 12, and their advisers Mrs. Hazel Rizada and Sir Arcanghel for

letting us have their students as respondents. We also owe our sincere appreciation to the

teachers who took time without any hastle in becoming as our respondents for our

qualitative case-study research, Mrs. Rowena Banua and Sir Joey Baguio. Thank you for

your support and presence and more power.

Without the help, support and motivations from these people, we wouldn’t

be able to finish this accomplishly. We cannot be successful without their helping hands.

iii
This isn’t enough to thank them but we are so proud and honored to be helped and

supported by you. Only God can repay you. Thank you and to God be the Glory.

Researchers,

Aelma Joanah A. Beldad

Carol Rose Abad

Ivan Legarte

Cherry Mae Gumera

Axl Mar Culanag

iv
 ABSTRACT

This paper is a qualitative case-study research designed to infer the positive and negative
effects of caffeine towards the cognitive and physiological behavior of the students and
teachers. Students from senior high school as well as teachers were taken as respondents
for the study. Opinions from respondents were used as data in generating the findings and
conclusions. Prior to gathering of findings, interviews were done for the respondents.
Positive effects of caffeine were enlisted first. This includes providing of energy,
alertness, improve focus or critical thinking, and relax muscles. Negative effects were
listed after which includes insomnia, irritability, tiredness, and less concentration.
Respondents were then asked if the effects affected them significantly in their school
performances. Some answered caffeine affected them positively in their school tasks
while some answered caffeine affected them negatively on their school works. They were
then asked if which of the effects significantly weighs more and two-thirds of them said
the positive effects weighs more while one-third said that the negative effects weighs
more. Conclusion was then derived after analyzing the findings. The effects of caffeine
depend on the amount of intakes and individual will take.

Keywords: Caffeine, Cognitive behavior, Physiological behavior

v
 Table of Contents

Title Page

TITLE PAGE

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT iii
ABSTRACT v
TABLEOF CONTENTS vi

CHAPTER 1. THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE

Introduction 1

Statement of the Problem 6

Significance of the Study 6

Delimitation of the Study 7

CHAPTER 2. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Review of Related Literature

CHAPTER 3. METHODOLOGY

Research Design 16

Research Locale 17

Participants of the Study 17

Research Method 18

Research Instruments
Research Procedure 18

vi
CHAPTER 4. RESULT AND DISCUSSION

CHAPTER 4. SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

Summary of Findings 23

Conclusion 24

Recommendation 25

APPENDICES viii.

BIBLIOGRAPHY xi.

CURRICULUM VITAE xiv

vii
 Chapter 1

Problem and its Scope

Introduction

The world is a huge platform where everything you witness are at motion whether

the little atoms that move in every matter, to the busy streets jam-packed with moving

vehicles or more significantly, to the bustling people all around busily working up to

their last breath. Working and striving hard whether for a job, task, chore, work, school

works or for a living, is one thing humans can never avoid. Anywhere, whether inside the

house, within neighborhood or community, urban and rural areas, on the streets or at

school, people working and doing such active jobs is highly evident and profusely

widespread. In the last three years; from 2016 to 2018, there has been a total population

of school enrollment of over 69 million students with an expected growth of between 85

and 150,000 every year ([Link]) and there had been a latest Global

Employment Trend of approximately 3.3 billion workers in total with 3.1 billion that are

employed and the rest to be unemployed (International Labor Organization), which leads

us to the fact that there is an apparent growth of people working in the aspects of

studying and occupational activities.

Along with the increase of people being busy is the accumulation of different

methods in retaining and gaining energy for better work and performance such as the

1
natural ways like getting efficient sleep, proper exercise and proper diet. Yet, these

natural ways are not that widely used nor followed due to a common reason wherein

people need a faster and more abrupt solution for ease in use and convenience of time. In

that case, drugs play a big role. The usage of drugs whether for medication, treatment,

stimulation, and cure, are highly evident as for the reasons of its ease to be swallowed, to

be taken into the body, its quick rate to be ingested and its quick effect to the body.

Stimulant drugs are in need of use for people to boost their energy.  Methylphenidate,

amphetamines, aderall and cocaine are some of the stimulant drugs that are most

commonly used by people (Cicarone, 2011) but the most widely consumed psychoactive

agent drug around the world is caffeine (Daly, Holmén J, 2010).

Caffeine is a natural stimulant methylxanthine class. found in more than 60 plant

species. These include tea leaves, coffee beans, guarana and cocoa seeds ( Hardwick E,

2013). It works by stimulating the brain and central nervous system, helping you to stay

alert and preventing the onset of tiredness (Peter, 2012). Nowadays, caffeine is believed

to be the most frequently consumed pharmacologically active psychostimulant

worldwide, being ingested predominantly as coffee. Many other caffeine-containing

beverages and products exist and contain significant amounts of the substance, for

example, tea, chocolate, cocoa beverages, soft drinks, and energy drinks. Coffee and

caffeinated beverages are part of the diet in all countries ([Link])

Coffee use is increasing worldwide. Because of its wide consumption at different

levels by most segments of the population, the public and the scientific community have

expressed interest in the potential for caffeine to produce adverse effects on human

2
health. Students and workers become so dependent on using caffeine due to the

hyperactive energy it gives, they become unaware to its destructive effects to the

cognitive and as well as the physical health of the human body. There is a vast literature

on the behavioural effects of caffeine. Many of the studies have involved single

administration of a large dose of caffeine that is not representative of the way in which

caffeine is usually ingested. Further information is required, therefore, on the behavioural

effects of realistic patterns of consumption.

The underlying motivations under the rampant use of caffeine are mainly

concentration and memory enhancement and physical performance improvement

(Capelleti, 2009). Coffee and caffeine-containing products affect the cardiovascular

system, with their positive inotropic and chronotropic effects, and the central nervous

system, with their locomotor activity stimulation and anxiogenic-like effects. Thus, it is

of interest to examine whether these effects could be detrimental for health. Furthermore,

caffeine abuse and dependence are becoming more and more common and can lead to

caffeine intoxication, which puts individuals at risk for premature and unnatural death.

The present review summarizes the main findings concerning caffeine’s mechanisms of

action (focusing on adenosine antagonism, intracellular calcium mobilization, and

phosphodiesterases inhibition), use, abuse, dependence, intoxication, and lethal effects. It

also suggests that the concepts of toxic and lethal doses are relative, since doses below

the toxic and/or lethal range may play a causal role in intoxication or death. This could be

due to caffeine’s interaction with other substances or to the individuals' preexisting

metabolism alterations or diseases.

3
 Many studies have showcased the effects of caffeine on the psychological,

mental, physical state of our body and as well as our actions. On the effects of caffeine

towards mood and alertness, studies have shown that doses of 200 to 250 mg of caffeine

elevate mood( Belenky, 20010) and that these effects can last for up to 3 h. Higher

dosages (600 mg) can deliver increments in subjects self-evaluations of strain or

nervousness and increments in caffeine-related physical manifestations (Roache 2010).

Caffeine significantly affects measures of alertness and sleepiness. Doses of 100 mg and

more postpone the onset of sleep (Dews and Penetar, 2010), and a dose of approximately

300 mg significantly improves daytime alertness in both partially sleep-deprived and

fully rested individuals, as measured by the multiple sleep latency test. This effect was

seen in light and moderate caffeine users. Recent studies have also published about the

physiological effects of caffeine. The literature supports the fact that caffeine has low

toxicity and produces no serious physiological side effects in adults (Rall 2009; McCann

2011). Caffeine's physiological effects are dependent on whether the subject is caffeine-

naive or a regular user. According to a study conducted by Durlach 2009, it has been

shown that effects of caffeine may be apparent and dependent on doses typically found in

a single beverage and as well as external factors such as the health state of the person.

Globally, coffee drinkers tend to be older, with 74% of adults aged 55 and older

consuming it daily, versus 50% of those aged 17 to 34 ([Link]). According to a

market survey by Euromonitor on consumer behavior referred that 55.6% of young

people between 16 and 25 years old chose coffee as their favorite drink with as 57.5

percentage of Philippine millenials has the high preference for coffee. Bringing the fact

4
that there is a high consumption of caffeine in the Philippines, it had been rooted from the

busy works or school works for the students and as well as workers.

In Ozamiz City National High School, students and teachers are engulfed with

such paper works and school responsibilities. For them to pursue a good performance

despite the tiredness and stress brought about by the works, they tend to rely on the

benefits on taking caffeine. As for the fact, there are teachers as well as students in the

school to be regular caffeine users and are good subjects for the study.

In obtaining subjects from the school with a large population for the said study,

sampling methods are brought into application. Specifically, multi-stage sampling

method is useful for the situation. For a large population, multi-stage sampling is needed

since it divides large clusters of the population into smaller clusters in several stages in

order to make primary data collection more manageable and it gives simplification on

picking samples for the researchers (Research methods by Donald H. McBurney, Theresa

L. White).In gathering data, survey methods will be utilized in the study. Opinions from

the respondents will be taken into account as for the appraisal of the objectives of the

study.

The augmentation of the utilization of caffeine have been expanding all around

ages. There have been an increase of younger users for it. Interviews will be conducted in

the study among a number of students and teachers who are known to be caffeine users.

Answers and ideas taken from the subjects will be collected and will be used for drawing

conclusions. In that way, the study will unravel and weigh the effects of caffeine whether

it contributes more on the good effects on the cognitive and mental behavior of the

5
person or just adds up bad effects towards the person’s mind and body, in order to spread

awareness on its effects towards the person’s performance, actions and as well as

physical and mental health.

Statement of the Problem

Generally, this study aims to uncover the psychological and physiological effects

of caffeine towards the senior high school students and teachers and how it affects their

performance in school.

Specifically, this study aims to answer the following questions:

1. What are the positive effects of caffeine towards the students’ and teachers’

mind and body behavior?

2. What are the negative effects of caffeine towards the students’ and teachers’

mind and body behavior?

3. How do these effects of caffeine influence the school performance of the

students and teachers?

4. Which of the effects significantly weighs more? The positive or the negative

effects?

Significance of the Study

This study aimed to share valuable insights and awareness on the effects of caffeine

towards the psychological and physiological state of a person. Therefore, this study will

be advantageous to the following:

6
Students- the study will let them become aware on the effects of caffeine towards their

physical and mental health in which case, affects also their performance in school. Thus,

this also let them become educated on the importance of control of caffeine intakes.

Teachers- the study will let them also become aware on the psychological and

physiological effects of caffeine. It will also let them educate others in a way of teaching

or by including it to their discussions in class.

Parents- this study will let them teach not only their children but also, other family

members or relatives to become mindful on the effects of caffeine.

Community-the study is also beneficial in a larger scope in a way that caffeine users

around the place or community will become more sensible when taking caffeine. They

may also be able to spread the awareness outside or beyond the community.

Future researchers- this study will be a reference and a source of support towards future

studies related to this topic.

Delimitation of the Study

This study aims to assess the effects of caffeine towards the body’s function and

mental health of the students and teachers that provides great influence to their

performance in school. Students and teachers inside Ozamiz City National High School

campus were taken as subjects for the study. The study involves interviews from the

respondents and opinions will be collected as valid data for the study. The study is only

limited on the opinions from the respondents and is subjective towards the answers that

7
will be given and will not undergo scientific approach and experiments in gathering

information.

8
 Chapter II

Review of Related Literature

Caffeine is a natural stimulant most commonly found in tea, coffee, the seeds,

nuts or leaves of certain plant. These natural sources are then harvested and processed to

produce caffeinated foods and beverages (Alina Petre, MS, 2016). It is a stimulant of the

central nervous system towards drowsiness and fatigue and occurs naturally in over 60

species of plants and is used in several foods, drinks and medication (Mandal, 2014). It is

the most commonly used drug in the world. It belongs to a group of medicines called

central nervous system (CNS) [Link] United States Food and Drugs

Administration classes caffeine as both a food additive and a drug (Mandal, et al., 2014).

Caffeine is a pharmacologically active substance and depending on the dose, can be a

mild. Caffeine does not accumulate in the body over the course of time and is normally

excreted within several hours of consumption. Caffeine which is found in tea and coffee

imparts bitterness and also acts as a flavor constituent (Dr. Hari Singh, 2008). Caffeine

contains two other alkaloids, theobromine and theophylline. These two relax the muscles

while the caffeine stimulates the heart and respiratory systems. The caffeine in a

substance is a stimulant of central nervous system, cardiac muscle and respiratory system.

The theophylline is a cardiac stimulant that smoothes muscles. The theobromine is a

smooth muscle relaxant and cardiac stimulant. Sometimes you notice that colas have a

"stronger kick" than some coffee, it’s because the colas have lower caffeine content and

9
they have other alkaloids in them. Every day, millions consume it to increase

wakefulness, alleviate fatigue, and improve concentration and focus (Chris Stochs, 2013).

It stimulates the brain and nervous system by blocking the effects of the

neurotransmitter adenosine, which naturally slows down cell activity, to bind to receptors

in the brain, helping you to stay alert and preventing the onset of tiredness. This is

because caffeine is a similar shape to adenosine and therefore it can bind to the adenosine

receptors (Brain, Bryant, Cuhnningman, 2011). Caffeine may act synergistically with

other drugs including ephedrine and anti-inflammatory agents. It may work, in part, by

creating a more favourable intracellular ionic environment in active muscle. This could

facilitate force production by each motor unit (Graham TE, 2013). It is included with

ergotamine in some anti-migraine preparations, the object being to produce a mildly

agreeable sense of alertness. Coffee also contains polyphenol antioxidants, and these, too,

act on various pathways ( Rod J. Flower -, et al. 2014)

Amid myths and controversy about whether caffeine is good or bad for us,

evidence suggests that moderate coffee consumption can bring both benefits and risks.

Caffeine may improve mood, decrease the likelihood of depression, stimulate brain

function and protect against Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. It may boost metabolism and

promote fat loss, but these effects are likely to remain small over the long term.

Consuming small amounts of caffeine about an hour before exercise are likely to improve

exercise performance (Nicholes, 2017). It may also protect the liver, promotes longevity,

decreases cancer risk, protects skin and reduces MS risk, prevents gout andsupports gut

health. It may enhance weight loss, cognitive function, and alertness and can help restore

mental alertness and as well as enhance some thinking skills and slow the mental decline

10
that comes with age (Marriott, 2010). Michael Yassa, an assistant professor of

psychological and brain sciences at Johns Hopkins, and his team of scientists found that

caffeine has a positive effect on our long-term memory. Their research, published by the

journalNature Neuroscience, shows that caffeine enhances certain memories at least up to

24 hours after it is consumed. caffeine has cognitive-enhancing effects, but its particular

effects on strengthening memories and making them resistant to forgetting has never been

examined in detail in humans.

However, a high consumption of caffeine may not be healthful. In addition, the

recent trend of adding caffeine to drinks and snacks that do not naturally contain it has

raised new concerns… Another effect of caffeine consumption is that it causes

epinephrine (adrenaline) to be released (Yamada, 2010). This causes several changes in the

body including causing the heart to beat faster; the blood pressure to rise; and the liver to

release sugar into the bloodstream for extra energy. Here are several consequences of

consuming too much caffeine. These include shaking headaches, increased urination,

nervousness, increased blood pressure, addiction, and trouble sleeping,, heartburn,

constipation and diarrhea. Longer-term effects may include sleep deprivation, impaired

judgement, emotional fatigue, mood swings, depression and anxiety ( Kuhn ,2009). If

you are considering stopping or reducing your caffeine intake then, like all addictive

drugs, you may experience some withdrawal symptoms. These may include headaches,

muscle aches, irritability and an inability to concentrate. The symptoms will normally

begin between 12 and 24 hours after your last caffeine consumption and climb to their

worst point around 24 and 48 hours. Thankfully, the symptoms will normally stop within

a week (ADF, 2018) A caffeinated soft drink drank by a child can have the same effect as

11
four cups of coffee on a adult. Caffeine doses more than 200mg depending on body

weight and connotation, may produce trembling ,nervousness, muscle tension, and

exhaustion. If u drink coffee to stay up all night cramming for a test, you're memory may

be less efficient, and it could cause annoying behaviors. Rather drinking a lot of coffee

and when trying to quit, get a goodnights sleep the night before to stay alert, try physical

activity to stimulate your heart, and eat regular meals to keep energized (Pediatrics,

2009). Moderate consumption by healthy adults of products containing naturally

occurring caffeine is not associated with adverse health effects. But the changing caffeine

landscape raises concerns about safety and whether any of these new products might be

targeting populations not normally associated with caffeine consumption, namely,

children and adolescents, and whether caffeine poses a greater health risk to those

populations than it does to healthy adults (SM Seifert - 2011).A caffeine intake of 200 mg

per dose, and up to 400 mg per day, is generally considered safe. For a given dose of

caffeine, the time course and absolute plasma concentrations of caffeine and its

metabolites are the same. In addition, exercise or dehydration does not affect caffeine

[Link] Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends a maximum

intake of 400 mg a day, or two to three cups of coffee.

More than 90 percent of adults use caffeine regularly, with an average

consumption of more than 200 milligrams of caffeine per day. This is more caffeine than

in two 6-ounce cups of coffee or five 12-ounce cans of soft drink (J Addict Med. 2010).

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 90 percent of people worldwide

consume caffeine in one form or another. In the United States, 80 percent of adults

consume caffeine every day. High-caffeine energy drink consumption has been

12
increasing in young adults, frequently causing the most common symptoms such as

tremor, insomnia, anxiety, and nervousness and rarely leading to serious adverse effects

like seizure, acute mania, and stroke due to caffeine overdose. There have been little

current studies regarding analysis of high-caffeine energy drink consumption and its

adverse effects (Hoeji., 2013). A substantial and rapidly-growing proportion of college

students use energy drinks. Energy drink users tend to have greater involvement in

alcohol and other drug use and higher levels of sensation-seeking, relative to non-users of

energy drinks. Prospectively, energy drink use has a unique relationship with nonmedical

use of prescription stimulants and analgesics. More research is needed regarding the

health risks associated with energy drink use in young adults, including their possible role

in the development of substance use problems (Maria Perno Goldie, 2014). Caffeinated

beverages and energy drinks have been implicated as important risk factors for increased

daytime sleepiness and evening chronotype among college students. Globally, energy

drinks have gained popularity among adolescents and young adults to counteract

tiredness and meet academic, physical, and cognitive demands. Some adverse effects of

caffeine intake include energy loss, headaches, cardiac problems, and even sudden death

(Jun, 2014).The prevalence of energy drink consumption among high school students was

high. The association of energy drinks with other potential negative health and behavioral

outcomes suggests that use of these products may represent a marker for other activities

that may negatively affect adolescent development, health and well-being

(SundayAzagba, et al., 2014). Most students could not correctly define the ingredients of

energy drinks or their potential hazardous health effects, and they could not distinguish

energy and sports drinks when they were requested to select them from a list of

13
commercial names of various drink. Consumption of energy drinks, despite the variation

in the reason for choosing such drinks, is quite common in college students. Awareness

of university students of the ingredients and potential health hazards of energy drinks, in

particular in mixing with alcoholic beverages, should be increased (SemaAttilaPh.D.,

2011).

Definition of Terms

Caffeine- an alkaloid present in coffee and tea that makes you feel more awake

Inotropic- increasing or decreasing the force of muscular contractions

Chronotropic - a drug that changes the heart rate and rhythm by affecting the electrical

conduction system of the heart

Anxiogenic - a substance that causes anxiety

Stimulant –drugs that are pleasurable and increases the activity of the central nervous

system

Psychotropic –relating to drugs that affect a person’s mental state

Cognitive – relating to conscious intellectual activity

Methylxanthine–a unique class of drug that are derived from the purine base xanthine

14
 Conceptual Framework

Students and Teachers

Caffeine

Effects on Psychological
and Physiological
Aspect

Good Bad

Effects on school performance

Methodology

Research Design

The research design that will be utilized will be descriptive case study design

since the topic studies and describes the effects of caffeine in the cognitive and

physiological behavior of students and teachers. A case study is an in-depth investigation

of a specific research issue as opposed to a broad measurable review. Usually used to

limit an expansive field of examination into one or a couple of effectively researchable

precedents. The contextual investigation explore configuration is additionally valuable

for testing whether a particular hypothesis and model really applies to wonders in reality.

Approach exceeds expectations at conveying individuals to a comprehension of a mind

boggling issue through itemized relevant examination of a predetermined number of

occasions or conditions and their connections. The individual's conduct will be the

medium in deciding the wonders of expending caffeine alongside the connection to its

critical impacts (Robert E., 2003).

Descriptive research designs help provide answers to the inquiries of who, what,

when, where, and how associated with a specific research issue; a descriptive study

cannot conclusively ascertain answers to why. Descriptive research is utilized to obtain

information concerning the current status of the phenomena and to depict "what exists" as

for factors or conditions in a circumstance (Shuttleworth, Martyn, 2008)

16
Research Locale

The study will be conducted at Ozamiz City National High(OCNHS) specifically,

at the senior high community. The school is located at Bernad Street 7200 Ozamiz City

Missamis Occidental. It is a public school which offer 6 different curriculum ;Science

and Technology, Engineering (STE), Strengthened Technical-Vocational Education

Program (STVEP), Special Program in the Arts (SPA), Senior High School (SHS),

Special Program for Journalism (SPJ) and General Curriculum . It is where the

researchers are going to obtain subjects who will serve as the respondents for the survey

and interviews. Data gathered from the subjects will be the medium of measurement

towards the effects of caffeine on the school performance for students and teachers.

Participants of the Study

Out from all of the big schools in Ozamiz City including La Salle

University(LSU), Misamis University (MU), Misamis Institute of Technology (MIT),

Ozamiz City School of Arts and Trades (OCSAT), the researchers chose Ozamiz City

National High School for their time and financial convenience . Within the Ozamiz city

National High School are the six curricula namely Science and Technology, Engineering

(STE), Strengthened Technical-Vocational Education Program (STVEP), Special

Program in the Arts (SPA), Senior High School (SHS), Special Program for Journalism

(SPJ) and General Curriculum. From the six curricula, the researchers chose the Senior

High School Curriculum. Random pick of respondents, particularly students and

teachers, will be chosen as subjects for the study.

17
Research Procedure

This study aims to collect information regarding on how caffeine affects the

school performance of students and teachers. These are the following the researchers had

to go after to cross the track they intend to achieve; it is to gather and input data.

However, it is essential to understand that conducting a research inquires a process in

order to attain your goal.

First and foremost, the researchers formulated survey questionnaires which

require answers. Then, they will seek for someone who can clearly respond to the

following questions; the respondents. Of all the schools founded in Ozamiz City,

researchers chose Ozamiz City National High School (OCNHS) to be the location

wherein the conducting of our survey will take place. And, out of all the curriculums

offered by the said school, they handpicked the Senior High School (SHS) Curriculum as

their preferred respondents. Thus, they are supposed to give and state conclusions to the

data they have gathered.

Research Instrument

The researcher s prepares survey research questionnaires and follow-up question for

the interview. Researchers will also utilize media to record and accumulate data. Survey

and interviews best served to answer the questions and the purposes of the study. The

survey research is one in which a group of people or items is studied by collecting and

analyzing data from only a few people or items considered to be representative of the

18
entire group. In other words, only a part of the population is studied, and findings from

this are expected to be generalized to the entire population (Nworgu 1991:68).Similary,

McBurney (1994:170) defines the survey assessing public opinion or individual

characteristics by the use of questionnaire and sampling methods.

19
 Chapter IV

Results and Discussion

Positive Effects of Caffeine

According to Student 1, caffeine helps her in becoming energized and awake to the extent

that she is motivated to do what she needs to do. Same with student 2, he becomes less tired and a

lot more active. Student 3 also said that caffeine makes her become less sleepy and energetic in

doing school requirements thus, she becomes more focused. Same goes with teacher A, caffeine

helps her less sleepy therefore, she can continue her works at night. Teacher B also mentioned

that he can do a lot of activities whether at home or at school and he can also extend his work in

the evening. The results support the study conducted by Chris Stochs 2013 and Bryant 2011 that

caffeine stimulates the brain and nervous system by blocking the effects of the neurotransmitter

adenosine, helping you to stay alert and preventing the onset of tiredness thus increases

wakefulness. The results also supported a study conducted be Marriott 2010 that caffeine

promotes longetivity ,cognitive function, and alertness and can help restore mental

alertness and as well as enhance some thinking skills. Michael Yassa, an assistant

professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Johns Hopkins, and his team of

scientists found that it has a positive effect on human’s long-term memory and has

cognitive-enhancing effects.

20
 Student 4 said that for him, coffee helps him become more relaxed and less stressed so

therefore, he can focus on his tasks at school or at home. The statement correlates the

research statement concluded by Graham 2013 that caffeine helps activate muscle work

by creating a more favorable intracellular ionic environment in active muscle .

Negative Effects of Caffeine

Student 1 said that when she drinks too much coffee or intake too much caffeine

products, she experiences insomnia which is not good. According to student 2, taking too much

caffeine would be harmful to the health which it disrupts sleep for the students and thus, it would

cause lack of sleep and tiredness for students which will result to less concentration towards their

class lessons and discussions. Student 4 also mentioned that caffeine causes him to become less

sleepy which affects his normal sleeping schedules. Same goes with teacher B, he experiences

insomnia and irritability. The answers are supported by the study of Ratini 2017 that moderate

intakes of caffeine can already result to insomnia for a person which it interferes the normal

sleeping habit of the person thus causes restlessness or tiredness. Also, a study conducted by

Legg 2017 that right amount of caffeine can help a person focus but beyond moderate intakes can

make him jittery and highly irritable.

According to teacher A, since caffeine is diuretic, she always goes to the comfort room

and pee which can disturb her sleep as well. Student 3 said, she palpitates every time she drinks

more than 1 cup of coffee a day. Also, her mind becomes more active to the extent that she can’t

focus on one thing or task. This relates the study review of Laura Martin 2016, since caffeine

promotes muscle contraction movement, it does contribute to some serious heart conditions

including the increased rate of palpitations.

21
Significant Effects of Caffeine in the School Performance of Students and Teachers

According to student 1, coffee makes her sleep less and therefore, causes her to be late in

going to school. According also to student 2 and teacher A, caffeine makes them sleepy in their

school activities and tasks. Moreover, student 3 said that caffeine causes her to be out of focus in

class discussions. The respondents’ answers support the study reviewed by Legg 2017 that sleep

deprivations caused by caffeine results to some ADHD-like symptoms such as increased

forgetfulness, uncontrolled emotions and especially, trouble in focusing.

Aside from its negative effects, some respondents gave out an honest opinion about its

positive effects. According to student 4, caffeine intakes in right amounts make him active and

improves his critical thinking which helped him a lot in school works and activities. While

according to teacher B, caffeine has no effects on his school activities and works. According to

Watsons 2015, appropriate amount of caffeine intakes offers not just a momentary mental boost

but also longer-term effects on thinking skills thus, benefits mental performance.

Effects Comparison

According to student 1, student 2, student 4 and teacher B, the good effects of caffeine

weighs more thus, it generally concludes that caffeine for them is a cognitive and physiological

enhancer as it helped them in their school works.

Student 3 and teacher A also stated that the negative effects of caffeine weighed more

than its good effects which therefore, caffeine for them is a psychotropic drug as it negatively

affected their school performance.

22
 Chapter V

Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations

This chapter presents the summary of findings, the conclusion, and the

researcher’s recommendation

Summary of Findings

Attaining good performance in school is a prime priority as a student or even as a

teacher. In order to pursue this good academic achievement, loads of works are needed to

be done yet students as well as teachers are jam packed with all the school works. For

students and teachers to make consummate tasks and assignments, a psychoactive

substance is what they highly consume which is specifically caffeine. This study is a

qualitative research that aims to investigate whether caffeine helps enhancing their

cognitive activity or psychologically disrupts them. Students and teachers from senior

high school community were taken as respondents for data gathering. Based on the

results gathered, the following findings were inferred:

 Caffeine provided some positive effects for OCNHS SHS students and teachers. It

made them become more energized, wakeful, less tired and more focused which

helped them do their works and assignments better when taking the right amount

of caffeine. Also, caffeine helped them become more relaxed.

 Caffeine contributed some negative effects for OCNHS SHS students and

teachers. Provided that they took beyond moderate caffeine intake, it causes them

23
 to have insomnia thus, they become less sleepy during the day and have less

concentration on their school tasks. It also built serious heart condition of one

student which she experiences abnormal heart palpitation.

 Both the positive and negative effects have significantly affected the school

performance of OCNHS SHS students and teachers. Some stated that they

become tired and less focused on school activities. Others concluded that they

have better mental performance in their school works.

 Two-thirds of the respondents claimed that the positive effect of caffeine

significantly weighs more than its negative effects while one-third of the

respondents claimed that the negative effects of caffeine weighs more than its

positive effects.

Conclusions

From the analysis, it was found out that:

 Caffeine provides positive effects in the mind and body behavior of students and

teachers when taking a moderate amount of caffeine intakes

This is also supported by a research statement of Altschmied 2014 that good

effect on our body comes with the right amount of caffeine.

 Caffeine provides positive effects in the mind and body behavior of students and

teachers when taking beyond moderate amount of caffeine intakes.

This supports the idea concluded by the researchers from Hopkins University that

excessive intake of caffeine can make you jittery and cause anxiety, increased

heart rate and trouble falling asleep

24
  Caffeine significantly provided both the positive and negative effects of caffeine

towards the school performance of students and teachers.

 The positive and the negative effects of caffeine towards the mind and body

behavior of students and teachers depends on its intakes. When taking appropriate

or moderate amount of caffeine intakes, good effects comes along. Otherwise,

when taking excessive caffeine intakes, bad effects come along.

Recommendations

On the basis of present study some recommendations for caffeine takers in schools are

drawn as follows:

 It would be advantageous if caffeine intakes will be reduced even from the

optimal or usual intakes of the students or teachers. To reduce so, take the

alternative ways in getting energized or enhance cognitive activities such as

eating fruits and vegetables, proper sleep, and exercise.

 Dealing with loads of school assignments, projects, tasks, or other activities

involving your mental or physical health, have proper time management.

 Despite the good effects of caffeine, avoid taking too much caffeinated beverages

or foods in order to stay away from disaster or complications.

 Deciding how best to disperse data about caffeine content in an important and

honest route without causing caution. In spite of the fact that the prevalence of

proof recommends that caffeine is alright for a most people, there might be

motivations to restrain caffeine use in certain populaces. Giving more data about

safe levels might be helpful, yet the data must be understandable to the population

25
 and dependent on proof, instead of on supposition. Including data about caffeine

content the items themselves may not be sufficient. The most ideal approach to

instruct customers about safe levels of caffeine utilization should be resolved.

 The study is only limited to the opinions and is highly subjective on the effects of

caffeine, the researchers recommend to further investigate on its scientific

explanations and causes.

 Developing better systems of documenting and sharing adverse events inside the

school. There is a need of better system of documenting adverse events in schools

and sharing that documentation among health professionals and clinicians.

Systematically collecting all adverse events, poison center data, and emergency

room visits associated with caffeine consumption (for example, energy drink

consumption), together with more comprehensive evaluation of additional risk

factors, is necessary to accurately determine the risks of toxicity for youth and

other vulnerable individuals.

 Improving knowledge of the potential dangers from consuming energy drinks

before, during, and after any physical or mental activity will be essential to

identify the potential dangers of direct and implied claims of enhanced

performance, which is common in energy drink marketing. Long-term systematic

assessment of energy drink and general caffeine intake at the population level,

specifically intake by individuals, should be a priority.

26
APPENDIX A

viii
 APPENDIX B

1. What are the positive effects of caffeine towards the students’ and teachers’ mind

and body behavior?

Ailah Janelle Ramientos (ABM A- 11) - “From what I feel, every time I drink coffee I feel

energized and awake to the extent that I am motivated to do what I need to do.”

Junied Ampaso (STEM 12) – “For me, caffeine helps to alert a person who drinks it.

You'll feel more awake and less tired.”

Nice Acantilado (STEM 11) – “Makabuhat kog mga buhatunon og tarong kay diko

katulgon. moinom raman kog coffee pag tingin nako kailangan kay bilar ko or churba so

kung walay coffee, dili kaayo ko energetic og sigeg ga balnko akong hunahuna diko

kafocus.”

Jeylord Alave (STEM 11) - “Para sa ako, marelax akong muscles ug mas ni improve
akong critical thinking”

Mrs. Rowena Banua (STEM 11 Adviser) –“ Caffeine helps me less sleepy therefore, I can
continue her works at night.”

Sir Joey Baguio (OCNHS SHS Teacher)- “I can do a lot of activities whether at home or

at school and he can also extend my work in the evening.”

2. What are the negative effects of caffeine towards the students’ and teachers’ mind

and body behavior?

Ailah Janelle Ramientos (ABM A- 11) - “When I drink too much coffee I often have
insomnia which is really not good”

ix
Junied Ampaso (STEM 12) – “Sometimes, caffeine is harmful to human health, especially
when it disrupts it, causing it to fall asleep and the human impairment.”

Nice Acantilado (STEM 11) – “There are times nga di pod ko kabuhat og tarong sa mga
buhatunon kay mag palpitate ko dili ko mahimutang ang lain kaayo sya sa feeling sa
akong lawas. mahitabo rana if nakainom ko og more than one cup of coffee”

Jeylord Alave (STEM 11) - “Sa caffeine, ma less sleepy ko which is maapektuhan akong
normal sleep schedule”

Mrs. Rowena Banua (STEM 11 Adviser) – “Since caffeine is diuretic, I always go to the
comfort room and pee which can disturb her sleep as well”

Sir Joey Baguio (OCNHS SHS Teacher)- “ I experienced insomnia and I also felt
irritability”

3. How do these effects of caffeine influence the school performance of the students

and teachers?

Ailah Janelle Ramientos (ABM A- 11) -“Since I sleep way too late, I always get to
school late. “

Junied Ampaso (STEM 12) – “Because students and teachers are lack of sleep, they
might undergo of being tired and out of energy, they can’t concentrate on their works.”

Nice Acantilado (STEM 11) – “Makaaffect sya sa akong performance in a way that sa
pagkawala sa akong focus kay diko kapaminaw og tarong sa mga discussions and
tunggod ana diko katarong og answer sa mga quizzes og test”

Jeylord Alave (STEM 11) – “Mas maka focus ko sa mga lessons”

Mrs. Rowena Banua (STEM 11 Adviser) – “Caffeine makes me sleepy in their school
activities and tasks”

Sir Joey Baguio (OCNHS SHS Teacher)- “ It does not affect my school performance at
all”

x
 4. Which of the effects significantly weighs more? The positive or the negative

effects?

Ailah Janelle Ramientos (ABM A- 11) –“ I think the positive effect.”

Junied Ampaso (STEM 12) – “The negative effects weigh more”

Nice Acantilado (STEM 11) – “Mas naka way ang good effects.”

Jeylord Alave (STEM 11) – “mas bug at ang good effects.”

Mrs. Rowena Banua (STEM 11 Adviser) – “The good effects weighs more than the bad
effects”

Sir Joey Baguio (OCNHS SHS Teacher)- “ the negative effects weighs more than its
positive effects.”

Bibliography

J Addict Med 2010. Increased alcohol consumption, nonmedical prescription drug use,
and illicit drug use are associated with energy drink consumption among college students

Available: [Link]

Retrieved: January 14, 2019

Attila 2010. Energy-drink consumption in college students and associated factors

Available: [Link]

Retrieved: January 14, 2019

Velasquez 2011. Associations between energy drink consumption and alcohol use
behaviors among college students

Available: [Link]

Retrieved: January 14, 2019

Azagba, et. al 2014. An emerging adolescent health risk: Caffeinated energy drink
consumption patterns among high school students.

xi
 Available: [Link]

Retrieved: January 14, 2019

William 2014. Daytime Sleepiness, Circadian Preference, Caffeine Consumption and Use
of Other Stimulants among Thai College Students

Available: [Link]

Retrieved: January 14, 2019

Hoeji 2013. Pattern Analysis of High-caffeine Energy Drink Consumption and Adverse
Effects among College Students in a University

Available: [Link]

Retrieved: January 14, 2019

Calamaro et. al 2009. Adolescents Living the 24/7 Lifestyle: Effects of Caffeine and
Technology on Sleep Duration and Daytime Functioning

Available:[Link]
sso=1&sso_redirect_count=1&nfstatus=401&nftoken=00000000-0000-0000-0000-
000000000000&nfstatusdescription=ERROR%3A+No+local+token

Retrieved: January 15, 2019

Greg Belenky, M.D 2011. Caffeine and Sleep

Available: [Link]

Retrieved: January 15, 2019

Shirlow, et. al. A Study of Caffeine Consumption and Symptoms: Indigestion,

Available: [Link]

Retrieved: January 15, 2019

Dodd, F.L. (2015, March 13). A double-bind, placebo-controlled study evaluating the
effects of caffeine and L-theanine both alone and in combination on cerebral blood flow,
cognition and mood. 
Available: [Link]/pmc/articles/PMC4480845/

Retrieved: January 15, 2019

xii
Watson 2014. Caffeine and a healthy diet may boost memory, thinking skills; alcohol’s
effect uncertain

Available: [Link]
memory-thinking-skills-alcohols-effect-uncertain-201406187219

Retrieved: January 15, 2019

Brueck 2018. Science Finds Exactly the Right Amount of Coffee You Should Drink a
Day

Available: [Link]
[Link]

Retrieved: January 15, 2019

Temple et al, 2017. The Safety of Ingested Caffeine: A Comprehensive Review

Available: [Link]

Retrieved: January 16, 2019

xiii
CURRICULUM VITAE

xiv
 Researcher’s Information

Name: AelmaJoanah A. Beldad

Age: 15 years old

Birthdate: October 23, 2001

Address: P-1 Bañadero, Ozamiz City

Birthplace: MHARS-GEN. Maningcol, Ozamiz City

Mother: Matea A. Beldad

Occupation: Business

Father: Aelred A. Beldad

Occupation: Business

Educational Background

Elementary: Ozamiz City Central School SPED-Center

High School: Ozamiz City National High School

Affiliated Organization/s

 Red Cross Organization

 Girl Scouts of the Philippines

Skills/Hobbies:

 Dancing

 Reading

 Drawing

 Playing volleyball and other sports

 Cooking

xv
 Researcher’s Information

Name: Ax’lmar T. Culanag

Age: 17

Birthdate: March 3, 2002

Address: Purok 7, Gango, Ozamiz City, MIsamis Occidental

Birthplace: Libertad Dumingag, Zamboanga Del Sur

Mother: Evangiline T. Culanag

Occupation: Housekeeper

Father: Felomino D. Culanag

Occupation: Driver

Educational Background

Elementary: Masalag Elementary School (MES)

High School: Dumingag National High School (DNHS)

Affiliated Organization/s: Supreme Student Government

Skills/Hobbies: Playing Badminton, Playing Mobile Games

xvi
 Researcher’s Information

Name: Ivan Lee A. Legarte

Age: 17

Birthdate: August 19,2001

Address : Purok 2 Capucao C Ozamiz City

Birthplace: Capucao C Ozamiz City

Mother: Victoria Legarte

Occupation: Housewife

Father: Sabeniano Legarte

Occupation: N/A

Educational Background:

Elementary: Capucao P Elementary School

High School: Calabayan National High School (CNHS)

Affiliated Organization/s: YES-O

Skills/Hobbies:

*Reading

*Eating

*Playing some sports

*Watching Animes and movies

xvii
 Researcher’s Information

Name:Cherry Mae Gumera

Age:16

Birthdate:May 16,2002

Address:P1 Capucao C Ozamis City

Birthplace:P1 Capucao C Ozamis City

Father: Mario Gumera

Occupation: Driver

Mother:Esperanza Gumera

Occupation:Dialer/House wife

Educational background:

Elementary: Capucao Elementary School

High school: Ozamiz City National High School

xviii
 Researcher’s Information

Name: Carol Rose E. Abad

Age: 18

Birthdate: February 3, 2001

Address: Purok Makugihon, Baybay Maningcol, Ozamiz City

Birthplace: Purok Makugihon, Baybay Maningcol, Ozamiz City

Father: Jose Randy J. Abad

Occupation: Factory worker

Mother: Dionesita A. Ejedio

Occupation: Housewife

Educational background:

Elementary: Mningcol central school

High school: Ozamiz City school of arts and trades

Affiliate organization/s: None

Skills /Hobbies: Singing, Playing volleyball

xix