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Comment by Scea91 | Hacker News Reader

Caffeine does wonders when taken in a calculated manner. For some time now I restrict myself to at most 3 cups of coffee a week so I do not build tolerance.

I try to plan those cups ahead of time and always receive a very noticeable boost in energy level and concentration from them.

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The timing can also play into it (not sure if by 'plan' you mean down to the hour as well). https://i.imgur.com/1IyKjSg.jpg

As I get older, my tolerance has lowered. I used to be able to handle a Starbucks 'tall' cup, but now I can only drink two espressos at most, if spaced out by two hours or so. If I go over my limit, it's 7-9 hours of lying still in a dark room with a migraine-like headache.

For more on cortisol and caffeine: https://www.forbes.com/sites/anthonykosner/2014/01/05/why-th...

Chronopharmocology and caffeine: http://neurosciencedc.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-best-time-for...

Starbucks drip coffee contains a lot more caffeine per serving than espresso... I have seen figures that a venti size medium roast can be 280mg total, while single espresso shots might be as little as 70mg.

https://www.kickinghorsecoffee.com/en/blog/caffeine-myths-es...

In general all lighter roasts have more caffeine than the same beans roasted to a darker state. Espresso uses a particularly dark roast and is relatively lower in caffeine content. Of course you don’t drink normal coffee in single shots, and you know the old saying, “Quantity has a quality of its own.” Sipping a beer will get you as much alcohol as shot of whisky, but you can work several shots into a single cocktail.

Full details of caffeine amounts are here for those who are interested.

https://globalassets.starbucks.com/assets/94fbcc2ab1e2435985...

Recommended daily caffeine limit is usually quoted at around 400mg for an adult, although there's not a lot to back that number up.

Wow, a venti is up to 340mg caffeine. Anecdotal sample size of one, anything more than 300mg in one serving crosses the threshold from 'super alert and productive' to 'jittery, nervous and feeling uncomfortable'.

While it's true that a 20 ounce Venti drip coffee has much more caffeine than a 2 ounce espresso shot, it seems unfair to call them both "a serving". It seems unlikely that the person that's going to drink an entire Venti coffee would just drink a single espresso shot.

A 12 ounce tall Starbucks coffee has 193mg and a double espresso shot has 150mg. (a tall Americano has 2 espresso shots, so it too has 150mg of caffeine)

https://globalassets.starbucks.com/assets/94fbcc2ab1e2435985...

(just in case that link doesn't work, it came from this page: https://www.starbucks.ca/menu/nutrition-info)

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