Late-Night Coffee Might Be Making You Reckless
A UTEP study using fruit flies hints that caffeine at night may increase impulsive behavior—and females might be more affected. Timing your coffee may matter more than you think.
Why That Late-Night Cup Might Be Riskier Than You Think
Ever gulped down a coffee at 11 p.m. to get stuff done—or just to keep the yawns away? You might want to rethink that. A study from UTEP found that caffeine consumed at night may impair inhibitory control, making even fruit flies act impulsively—like ignoring harsh airflow they'd normally avoid. Seems wild? Yet, the “reckless-flying” flies are the story of the hour.
What Went Down in the Study
UTEP biologists led by Saldes, Sabandal, and Han fed fruit flies caffeine at different times—day vs. night—and tested their reaction to strong airflow. Normally, flies freeze under such stress. But if caffeine hit them at night, they flew on, ignoring the danger. Daytime caffeine? No effect on impulse control.
Sex Matters — Even for Flies
Interestingly, female flies were way more impulsive than males—despite both having similar caffeine levels. Flies don’t have human hormones like estrogen, so other physiological or genetic things must be at play.
What Does This Mean for Us? (Especially Night-Shift Peeps)
If flies start acting impulsive at night with caffeine, what about us—especially folks burning the midnight oil? For shift workers, healthcare staff, or military personnel, that late-night latte might mess with judgment more than we think. And the sex-based difference hints women might be a bit more sensitive—warranting a rethink of coffee habits.
TL;DR
- Nighttime caffeine = higher impulsivity (in flies, at least)
- Daytime caffeine = no reckless flying
- Female flies more affected than males
- Real-world relevance for night workers
Maybe next time, think twice before hitting that cup after sundown—timing may just matter more than how much you drink.