In the movie Limitless, Bradley Cooper plays a struggling writer (Eddie Morra) who’s introduced to a “smart drug” called NZT-48 – a pill that allowed Cooper to write 90 pages (of his books) in one sitting, learn languages quickly, and beat the stock market. Essentially, he becomes just that: limitless. (Read This: How to Create The Perfect Day)
Unfortunately, a real “NZT-48” doesn’t actually exist – at least not to my knowledge.
But what if there was something – a pill, potion, or powder – that gave us these superhuman abilities?
Well there is…
Alright, not quite– but there is a more realistic version of this drug.
I call it “café”
I call it that because…well…my parents are from Cuba, and ”coffee” doesn’t sound like a nootropic drug that can enhance our productivity, improve cognition, and, ultimately, make us a super-badass version of ourselves.
For far too long, however, coffee has been demonized and made out to be an addictive, unhealthy crutch for people who don’t get enough sleep.
But I promise you this: it’s far from that.
In fact, we have plenty of research showing otherwise. Coffee is a wonder-drug that we’ve all got access to, at any time, on any corner – and you don’t have to buy it from some sketchy dealer you bumped into at a local diner (movie reference).
Perhaps I am overhyping it a bit, but before you dismiss the fact that a drink made from roasted and ground beanlike seeds is probably the closest thing we have to becoming limitless, let me share 7 ways coffee will enhance your life and help you become the most badass version of yourself.
7 Ways Coffee Makes You a Better Man
1. You’ll Get Shit Done
Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work at hand. The sun’s rays do not burn until brought to a focus. ~Alexander Graham Bell
A study presented at the meeting of the Radiological Society of North America determined that caffeine promoted increased activity in the areas of the brain involved in planning, attention, and concentration. A benefit we could all use – especially this day in age where we’re surrounded by tweets, texts, sexts, and snaps.
As I write this article, despite not being “in the mood”, I sip on my morning coffee and get to work. I am focused, alert, and zoned in on the task at hand – I’m unstoppable. The words flowing out of me almost as if I’d written them before. Not because I am an expert on caffeine – far from it. But because I am in deep concentration – the result of my version of NZT-48 – coffee.
Next time you need to sit down and get shit done (i.e. write, study, plan, etc.), grab a cup of joe and experience the magic.
2. Make Early Morning Workouts Your Bitch
If you typically train in the afternoon or later, switching to any early morning workout can be disastrous. This is due to morning reduction in neuromuscular performance; the reason you can’t lift as heavy in the a.m. Unfortunately, because willpower is a limited resource, individuals who hold off on training are more likely to skip workouts.
Lucky for you, a recent study concluded that pre workout caffeine ingestion did, in fact, reverse this “morning weakness”. So if you’ve been pushing your workouts back because you just “weren’t feeling it” in the morning, set your alarm a bit earlier, brew some coffee upon rising, and start your day with a killer workout.
3. It Makes You a Better Dad
A pretty bold claim, eh?
Let me ask you this: when’s the last time you went outside and played catch with your kid?
More importantly, how many times has your overjoyed son rushed you as you rested on the couch after a long day’s work, pushing and tugging at you to get up and play?
Would it be a fair guess that, at least 75% of the time, you’re “too tired”? No shame in that – Whether you’re sitting in front of a computer all day or you’re laying bricks, it’s mentally and/or physically exhausting.
Fortunately for you (and your son), coffee has been shown to increase energy in the evening just as effectively as it does early in the day. The way it works is simple: it blocks adenosine – which increases norepinephrine and dopamine – leading to a boost in firing neurons.
Too tired to play catch or run a game of basketball with your son? Tell him to hold on while you drink your super-juice, finish your coffee, and show him who’s boss on the court.
4. It Makes You a Better Husband
If you’re coming home from work, stressed out about your boss giving you shit, it’s going to be tough expressing to your wife how happy you are to see her. Maybe you’re an entrepreneur and work for yourself but the business isn’t moving along like you’d wished…does she get the short end of the stick?
Believe it or not, living like this can cause depression and, ultimately, destroy your marriage.
But get this, a recent (2011) Harvard Study showed that women who drank 4 or more cups of coffee per day decreased their chances of becoming depressed, by 20%
Another study of over 200,000 people showed similar results – it found that those who drank 4 or more cups of coffee per day were 53% less likely to commit suicide.
No surprise there, coffee has been highly studied and has been shown over and over again to improve mood. Now I am not saying that you should drink 4 cups of coffee per day (or that you shouldn’t), I’m saying that coffee can potentially become a simple solution to a big problem.
5. You’ll Become a Physical Specimen
There are plenty of supplements out there that claim to increase strength, improve muscle endurance, or enhance anaerobic capabilities. Hell, some even claim to do them all. There is, however, one problem: no supporting evidence.
Not only that, but other research concluded that caffeine is useful for competitive or recreational athletes who lift weights; due to the increases in strength, muscle endurance, and anaerobic performance.
Which brings me to my next point…
6. You’ll Save Some Extra Cash
Most of the pre-workout supplements on the market are useless. Sure, there are a few ingredients that have been proven to increase performance (i.e. beta alanine, citrulline malate, etc.) – and you might see those on the label – but the majority of these colorful powders contain so little of those ingredients, it’s insignificant. This is mainly because the supplement company’s only goal is to turn a profit – a big one – and those ingredients are just too expensive.
I know what you’re thinking: I do “feel” increased energy in the gym when I take them. Of course you do, because the most powerful ingredient of all – caffeine – is cheap, so the supplement companies give you more than enough of it!
So instead of throwing away $60 dollars on a product that costs $6 to make, invest a few bucks into some coffee and have that pre-workout for the same effects.
7. You’ll Go from Dad Bod to “Damn Bob!”
There is one way to get lean and one way only – staying in a negative energy balance. If we can manage to burn more calories than we consume, we’ll burn body fat, period.
Our body burns calories in a few different ways.
1. Basal Metabolic Rate
2. The Thermic Effect of Food
3. The Thermic Effect of Activity
4. Non Exercise Activity Thermogenesis
These 4 things determine your TDEE (total daily energy expenditure). If we can manage to consume less energy than we expend, we lose weight.
Want to make this a bit easier? Drink some coffee! Caffeine has been shown to increase energy expenditure, making it a bit easier for you to achieve a calorie deficit.
Bonus: Be a Blessing, Not a Burden
As we age, we become more susceptible to illness, increasing the chances of having to depend on someone to care for us.
I don’t know about you, but I’d hate to be a burden to my family. I’d much rather take care of them than them have to take care of me – so I’ll do whatever it takes to stay healthy for as long as possible.
So if the last 7 reasons weren’t enough, consider this: coffee has been shown to reduce the risk of cancer, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and type II diabetes.
It’s no surprise why scientist claim that drinking coffee may help you live longer.
Conclusion
There is no doubt that coffee can make you a badass – but everything in moderation, my friend. More is not always better.
And like anything else, too much coffee can have negative side effects.
For healthy adults, 400mg of caffeine per day seems to be safe. That’s roughly the amount of caffeine in four cups of coffee.
About The Author
Alain Gonzalez is a former skinny guy turned jacked fitness pro whose transformation story has been featured in articles on websites all over the internet. He has dedicated his life to helping naturally skinny guys like himself to overcome their genetics and take their physiques to the next level.
Alain Gonzalez
Fitness Author
Strength Coach
Certified Personal Trainer
Founder, www.MuscleMonsters.com
