Caffeine is the most widely consumed psychoactive drug in the world, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information. As finals week approaches, its consumption on campus skyrockets.

Espresso Royale coffee shops at Grainger Library and the Undergraduate Library are responding to the demand. They will be open 24/7 the next two weeks to keep up with both libraries’ extended hours and increased demand.

Olivia Wuethrich, freshman in LAS and employee at Espresso Royale at the UGL, said demand for coffee definitely increases around finals.

Bisher Martini, junior in LAS, said though he doesn’t drink more coffee in volume when finals come closer, he does drink more concentrated coffee.

“I usually drink harder coffee. Like, I stick to the espresso shots when finals hit, so technically I drink more,” he said.

Jose Flores, senior in LAS, said he drinks more energy drinks than coffee, which still has caffeine but is far more diluted.

“Most of the time, I drink coffee because it’s a routine, and it just feels good,” Flores said.

Energy drinks like Rockstar or Monster typically have 10 mg of caffeine per ounce as compared with coffee’s 20 mg.

Coffee might not just be helpful with cramming and staying awake. New studies suggest coffee consumption might lead to a longer life.

Two new studies published in August 2017 showed across 10 European countries and across non-white populations, coffee consumption statistically leads to a lower death rate.

Both studies showed an inverse correlation between coffee drinking and death due to heart disease, cancer, respiratory disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease.

Erica Whitney Nehrling, assistant director and dietitian of Dining Services at the University, said two cups of coffee per day is not harmful, but larger amounts are known to trigger migraines in some people.

“I drink one 8-ounce cup (of) caffeinated coffee in the morning and one 8-ounce cup (of) caffeinated coffee in the afternoon. Sometimes, I will have a third cup. If I drink more coffee, it actually triggers migraines for me,” she said.

Nehrling also said while caffeine is linked to decreased risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s later in life, it also has some cons; it can be addictive, can cause dehydration and can aggravate anxiety.

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