14 DAY TRIAL // Those who are highly motivated to perform tasks, and who thrive under pressure would do well to avoid caffeine, amphetamines and other types of psycho-stimulants, scientists behind a new study say.
They explain that these chemicals are beneficial to unengaged workers, who need the extra kick to remain focused throughout the day, and increase their productivity. On natural high-achievers, these substances may have exactly the opposite effect.
Scientists at the University of British Columbia suggest in their research that workers who are capable of high performances tend to slack off if they consume either caffeine, or amphetamines. The new investigation was conducted on unsuspecting lab rats.
Details of the study appear in the March 28 online issue of the journal Neuropsychopharmacology, which is edited by Nature. Experts reveal how they used both “slacker” and “worker” rats to test the effects of stimulants.
How and why these chemicals affect people differently are questions that investigators have been trying to answer for a very long time, thus far with only a limited degree of success. In addition to shedding more light on this mystery, the study may have other practical applications as well.
For instance, many patients today, suffering from a wide array of illnesses, are treated with stimulants. The new study suggests that these individuals would benefit extensively from more personalized prescriptions, addressing the particularities of their individual cases.
“Every day, millions of people use stimulants to wake up, stay alert and increase their productivity – from truckers driving all night to students cramming for exams,” scientist Jay Hosking explains.
“These findings suggest that some stimulants may actually have an opposite effect for people who naturally favor the difficult tasks of life that come with greater rewards,” he adds. Hosking is the lead author of the new study, and a PhD student in the UBC Department of Psychology.
“This study suggests there may be important benefits to taking greater account of baseline cognitive differences among individuals when considering treatment programs,” the Deptartment of Psychology professor and Brain Research Center member, Catharine Winstanley, concludes.