Caffeine and the jitters that look like conviction

[Fairman]

Caffeine and the jitters that look like conviction

A third coffee, an energy drink, a burst of stimulation. Focus sharpens for a while. Then comes a slightly edgy state with faster reactions, a quicker pulse, and a sense of urgency.

That feeling is easily mistaken for conviction. Trades are taken faster, with less hesitation, and the trader feels sharp. In reality, the quality of judgement may be falling while the speed of action rises.

Small hands shake slightly. Clicking is faster and less accurate. Stops are moved on impulse. The pulse races when a trade goes against the position.

The effects vary between people. Some handle caffeine well, others find it wrecks their trading. The only way to know is tracking it: note the intake before each session and compare it with results over a month.

Many experienced scalpers settle on a moderate, consistent amount, with no extra when the market is exciting. Consistency matters more than the specific number.

Water, food, and sleep matter as much as any stimulant. A skipped lunch before the US session shows up as irritability within the first hour.

Does caffeine intake show up in the results, and what is the sweet spot?