A new UTEP study finds that consuming caffeine at night can increase impulsivity and lead to reckless actions.
By Aniket Chakraborty
Aug 6, 2025
HEALTH & WELLNESS
The study, published in iScience, used fruit flies to explore how caffeine impacts behavior, given their genetic and neural similarities to humans.
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Researchers observed that fruit flies consuming caffeine at night were more active and showed increased impulsivity compared to the control group.
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The experiment focused on how caffeine affected the flies’ inhibition and their ability to suppress movement under adverse conditions.
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Flies that were given caffeine at night exhibited reckless flying behavior, even when exposed to strong airflow—something the control group did not do.
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“Caffeine is the most widely consumed psychoactive substance, with 85% of U.S. adults using it regularly,” said study lead Paul Sabandal.
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The study's findings suggest that caffeine’s effects on impulsivity may extend beyond the obvious, especially in the evening.
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Researcher Erick Saldes noted that nighttime caffeine consumption could impair behavioral control, increasing risks of reckless actions.
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The study adds to growing concerns about the impact of evening caffeine consumption on overall behavior and mental control.
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As caffeine use continues to rise, experts urge caution, especially in terms of timing, to avoid negative effects on behavior and decision-making.