Caffeine's effects on Testosterone and Cortisol

[thethirddiaz]

Dose effect of caffeine on testosterone and cortis...[Int J Sport Nutr Exerc ****b. 2008] - PubMed Result

INTRODUCTION: Interest in the use of caffeine as an ergogenic aid has increased since the International Olympic Committee lifted the partial ban on its use. Caffeine has beneficial effects on various aspects of athletic performance, but its effects on training have been neglected. PURPOSE: To investigate the acute effect of caffeine on the exercise-associated increases in testosterone and cortisol in a double-blind crossover study. METHODS: Twenty-four professional rugby-league players ingested caffeine doses of 0, 200, 400, and 800 mg in random order 1 hr before a resistance-exercise session. Saliva was sampled at the time of caffeine ingestion, at 15-min intervals throughout each session, and 15 and 30 min after the session. Data were log-transformed to estimate percent effects with mixed modeling, and effects were standardized to assess magnitudes. RESULTS: Testosterone concentration showed a small increase of 15% (90% confidence limits, +/- 19%) during exercise. Caffeine raised this concentration in a dose-dependent manner by a further small 21% (+/- 24%) at the highest dose. The 800-mg dose also produced a moderate 52% (+/- 44%) increase in cortisol. The effect of caffeine on the testosterone:cortisol ratio was a small decline (14%; +/- 21%). CONCLUSION: Caffeine has some potential to benefit training outcomes via the anabolic effects of the increase in testosterone concentration, but this benefit might be counteracted by the opposing catabolic effects of the increase in cortisol and resultant decline in the testosterone:cortisol ratio.

I take from this study that caffeine before lifting increases test levels, but too much of it could increase cortisol. Essentially, using a lot of it would be fine for bulking, but might be problematic for someone looking to cut weight.

Side note: I'm pretty sure my heart would explode taking 800mg of caffeine before lifting and I wouldn't sleep for a few days.

Edit: Everyone seems to be keying in on the 800mg (and with good reason!). Just to be clear:

Twenty-four professional rugby-league players ingested caffeine doses of 0, 200, 400, and 800 mg in random order 1 hr before a resistance-exercise session.

 

[Monger]

Interesting stuff. Thanks for the post.

 

[ThePitBull32]

There is about 100mg of caffeine per 8oz cup of coffee...If any of you are coffe freaks like me, then you are gettin >800mg

 

[thethirddiaz]

There is about 100mg of caffeine per 8oz cup of coffee...If any of you are coffe freaks like me, then you are gettin >800mg

That could have a similar effect, but keep in mind the study is talking about someone ingesting 800mg all at once, one hour prior to training. The reason for the cortisol increase could be more related to the ingestion all at once, or the combination with the training.

 

[JohnnyBuddha]

800 mg...even 400 at once is fucking insane. I'm surprised something like that got ethical clearance. .

 

[MikeMartial]

800mg? LOL. That's a blow-your-head-clean-off dose. At the MOST, I do a couple of cups of coffee and pop a 200mg tab. And believe me, that's plenty.

Great study, thanks for posting, thethirddiaz!

 

[Urban]

wow... that's a LOT of caffeine even for a speed freak like me... seriously... 10 cups of coffee before working out? cortisol would be the least of my concerns...

 

[Gary Peters]

If im feeling adventureous i'll gulp down a
Monster (160mg) but usually I just pop a 200mg tab.... 800mg at once is well frightening.

 

[Monger]

800 mg...even 400 at once is fucking insane. I'm surprised something like that got ethical clearance. .

The LD for caffeine is through the fucking roof. Although 800mg may make some people feel like exploding, it's completely safe.

 

[thethirddiaz]

The LD for caffeine is through the fucking roof. Although 800mg may make some people feel like exploding, it's completely safe.

I think fatty took 1g by accident at one point. IIRC it wasn't pleasant, but it wasn't anywhere near a big problem.

 

[IronMaidenfan#1]

Cool study TheThirdDiaz, I take about 250 mgs of caffeine pre workout, I find if I do much more than that my head starts spinning.

 

[thethirddiaz]

It is somewhat ironic that I am the one to post this study, as I actually do not use any stimulant pre workout. My problem is that I am particularly sensitive to caffeine (can't sleep if I have coffee after noon among other things), and I have no experience with others (ephedrine, DMAE). I am planning to experiment, but have a few other supplements I would like to try before this (BA, B-complex before lifting, etc.).

 

[Rowan11088]

Why are people taking caffeine before a lift anyway?? Its only proven ergogenic effect is for long duration aerobic activity. If you're trying to gain muscle you don't want to speed up your ****bolism anyway. I think people need to find some inner motivation rather than relying on this stuff.

 

[David Barr]

Cool study.

Regarding lifting, I have to think that the performance enhancement >> transient decline in T:C ratio.

My most successful client used a BIG dose of caffeine before lifting and the results were... impressive.
800mg though? Wow.

 

[MikeMartial]

Why are people taking caffeine before a lift anyway?? Its only proven ergogenic effect is for long duration aerobic activity. If you're trying to gain muscle you don't want to speed up your ****bolism anyway. I think people need to find some inner motivation rather than relying on this stuff.

Did you even read the study? The fact it's actually proven to augment testosterone is reason enough to take it. It's a known and proven ergogenic for both resistance and aerobic training.

My most successful client used a BIG dose of caffeine before lifting and the results were... impressive.
800mg though? Wow.

What doses are most of your clients taking?

 

[erco]

800mg is insane.


That is all.

 

[Monger]

From what I've read, it seems as though many recommend 4-6mg per kg or BW (assuming you're not overly sensitive to caffeine). So for a 200lb guy that'd be 364 - 545mg of caffeine. I've personally done 400mg several times at the weight of ~195 and have had decent success with next to know unwanted side effects. A lot depends on individual sensitivity though. I've heard stories of some Olympic athletes taking 1g of caffeine before events... but they're exceptions and not the rule, I'm sure.

 

[Rowan11088]

Did you even read the study? The fact it's actually proven to augment testosterone is reason enough to take it. It's a known and proven ergogenic for both resistance and aerobic training.

Erroneous. Drastically varying studies have been done on caffeine, but nothing I've ever seen mentions it in a weight training context. Check wikipedia Caffeine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia , it doesn't say anything either. It doesn't make any sense physiologically, unless you're just immediately starting a lift and not warming up, in which case it might be a quick fix to replace something you SHOULD be doing.

And the tiny increase in testosterone is far outbalanced by the cortisol increase. I'd be willing to wager that those proportions would mean less muscle, not more.

 

[Diomedes]

Wikipedia, the smart man's choice for up to date nutrition information.

 

[Rowan11088]

Wikipedia, the smart man's choice for up to date nutrition information.

I'm not offering it as conclusive proof, but I would think it puts the burden on him rather than me. My sources are in print.