Caffeine Withdrawal Reversal Effects on Mood and Cognitive Performance Measures

Abstract

Background: Caffeine’s ergogenic effects on cognitive function are well-established, but the potential confounding influence of withdrawal is less understood. This study examined the effects of caffeine withdrawal and withdrawal reversal on mood and cognitive performance in habitual caffeine consumers. Methods: Twenty-five (12 males) participants completed this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. During three separate visits, participants completed one of three experimental conditions: (a) placebo (PLA; 5 mg*kg− 1 maltodextrin), (b) 5 mg*kg− 1 caffeine anhydrous (CAF5mg), or (c) normal dose (ND) based on self-reported caffeine consumption habits. Reaction time and sequence recall tasks (Sport React, Croatia) were assessed at four timepoints: arrival, pre-ingestion, 30 min post-ingestion, and before departure, each performed three times. Participants performed a bench press session (warm-up and three sets to failure at 80% of one rep max) after the first and third cognitive tests. Mood was assessed at arrival using the abbreviated Profile of Mood States (POMS) and visual analog scales (VAS) for energy, fatigue, and concentration. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA with Sidak adjusted post-hoc tests (p < 0.05) or one-way ANOVA (POMS, VAS). Results: Significant timepoint effects for sequence recall tasks (ps ≤ 0.001) were observed with large effect sizes (ηp²s>0.258). Significant timepoint effects were observed for average and slowest reaction time metrics (ps ≤ 0.018, ηp²s > 0.140). VAS concentration scores were significantly impacted by condition (p = 0.030). Conclusion: Short-term caffeine withdrawal and reversal had limited effects on mood, reaction time, and sequence recall performance in this sample of habitual caffeine consumers.