Advisor(s)
Phillip Zoladz
Confirmation
1
Document Type
Poster
Location
ONU McIntosh Center; Activities Room
Start Date
24-4-2026 10:00 AM
End Date
24-4-2026 10:50 AM
Abstract
Most individuals consume caffeine on a daily basis. Research has shown that caffeine stimulates the release of glucocorticoids and catecholamines and can enhance cognition. Caffeine also amplifies stress-induced increases in arousal and aggravates PTSD-like symptoms. Thus, we examined the impact of caffeine on memory for a stressful experience and intrusive memories related to that experience. Undergraduate students ingested caffeine or a placebo. Thirty minutes later, they were exposed to the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST; stress condition) or friendly-TSST (f-TSST; control condition), both of which were designed to enable participant memory for the experiences to be quantified. In each condition, researchers interacted with (central) or did not interact with (peripheral) several objects sitting on a desk in front of participants. The next day, participants’ memory for these objects was assessed. We also quantified participants’ intrusive memories on Days 2, 4, 6, and 8. The TSST group reported greater subjective anxiety than the f-TSST group, and both the TSST and f-TSST resulted in increased salivary alpha-amylase (measure of noradrenergic activity). The TSST group exhibited greater recall of central objects and fewer falsely recalled objects than the f-TSST group. Interestingly, caffeine led to reduced recall of central objects, an effect observed only in f-TSST participants. TSST-exposed participants reported intrusive memories that were more intense, bothersome, and upsetting than those reported by f-TSST participants. Overall, our findings suggest that caffeine, alone, may reduce memory for central details of an experience, but has minimal impact on what is remembered about a stressful event.
Recommended Citation
Kirkland, Jaycee L.; McClenen, Kaylina R.; Porter, Natalina E.; Wood, Sarah M.; Gross, Julia; Paphanchith, Madilyn E.; Siereveld, Kelsey M.; Ifeakanwa, Jasmine IC; Gurganus, Caeden M.; Suzelis, Koen N.; Farrell, Aiden J.; Rorabaugh, Boyd R.; and Zoladz, Phillip R., "Impact of caffeine on participant memory for a stressful experience and the development of intrusive memories" (2026). ONU Student Research Colloquium. 6.
https://digitalcommons.onu.edu/student_research_colloquium/2026/Posters/6
Open Access
Available to all.
Included in
Behavioral Neurobiology Commons, Biological Psychology Commons, Cognitive Neuroscience Commons, Cognitive Psychology Commons
Impact of caffeine on participant memory for a stressful experience and the development of intrusive memories
ONU McIntosh Center; Activities Room
Most individuals consume caffeine on a daily basis. Research has shown that caffeine stimulates the release of glucocorticoids and catecholamines and can enhance cognition. Caffeine also amplifies stress-induced increases in arousal and aggravates PTSD-like symptoms. Thus, we examined the impact of caffeine on memory for a stressful experience and intrusive memories related to that experience. Undergraduate students ingested caffeine or a placebo. Thirty minutes later, they were exposed to the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST; stress condition) or friendly-TSST (f-TSST; control condition), both of which were designed to enable participant memory for the experiences to be quantified. In each condition, researchers interacted with (central) or did not interact with (peripheral) several objects sitting on a desk in front of participants. The next day, participants’ memory for these objects was assessed. We also quantified participants’ intrusive memories on Days 2, 4, 6, and 8. The TSST group reported greater subjective anxiety than the f-TSST group, and both the TSST and f-TSST resulted in increased salivary alpha-amylase (measure of noradrenergic activity). The TSST group exhibited greater recall of central objects and fewer falsely recalled objects than the f-TSST group. Interestingly, caffeine led to reduced recall of central objects, an effect observed only in f-TSST participants. TSST-exposed participants reported intrusive memories that were more intense, bothersome, and upsetting than those reported by f-TSST participants. Overall, our findings suggest that caffeine, alone, may reduce memory for central details of an experience, but has minimal impact on what is remembered about a stressful event.