If you are like most people, you probably have heard the idea that if you drink caffeine on top of alcohol it can sober you up quickly. According to Healthline, you should not mix caffeine and alcohol.
Caffeine is a stimulant, whereas alcohol is a depressant. Before you believe coffee has a sobering effect, it is critical to know how the substances interact.
Are caffeine and alcohol safe?
Caffeine and alcohol have opposite effects on the body and can cause other complications. When you drink alcohol and caffeine together, you have a higher likelihood of becoming dehydrated quicker.
Caffeine can mask the signs of alcohol poisoning. You may drink more because you do not feel intoxicated. Energy drinks with alcohol tend to be more dangerous than coffee or tea.
Will caffeine lessen the effects of alcohol?
The idea caffeine can sober you up is a myth. Many people swear by this because when they drink caffeine after they drink, they feel soberer. What caffeine does is mask the effects of alcohol. It makes you feel more alert than you are. The problem with drinking caffeine on top of alcohol is you may feel too confident that you are sober.
You may still drink and drive because you think you have a good reaction time. Your reaction time is just as bad as it would be if you did not have the caffeine. It does not change your ability to be rational or your coordination.
While you should not drink caffeine and alcohol together, it does not hurt to have a small amount of caffeine before an evening of drinking.
