Ronald Leung / Silhouette Staff
| Caffeine | Adderall (and other psycho-stimulants) | Energy Drinks | Sleep | |
| Availability | Found in most tea bags, coffee products (not decaf, obviously), and your local coffee shop. | Legally only distributed as a prescribed medication. Not meant to be used as a studying stimulant. | Readily purchasable at supermarkets and convenience stores. | No money required for purchase. Only investment needed is a time commitment. |
| Effectiveness | Depends widely on each individual. Some live by caffeine, some feel it does nothing to boost energy. Caffeine tolerance can also build, requiring increasingly large portions. | Has varying effects, but most users describe having the ability to zero-in on a task with stringent focus for hours on end. | Energy drinks are simply heavily-caffeinated drinks, so they would have the amplified effects of a cup of coffee. | Requires multiple sessions of adequate sleep, but the effects pay off by allowing for more energy-filled and focused study sessions |
| Side-Effects | Twitching/uncontrolled muscle movements, sleep problems, loss of appetite. | Headaches, inability to fall asleep, dry mouth, restlessness. More serious side effects include difficulty breathing, migraines, seizures, depression. | Dizziness, insomnia, irregular heart rate, agitation, breathing problems, tremors. | (In healthy amounts) better memory, mood, and immune system. Balanced appetite, more logical thinking process. |
