Coffee’s Effect on Spiders: A Curious Myth

Quick answer

• The idea that coffee makes spiders “drunk” or alters their web-building is a popular urban legend.
• This myth originated from misinterpretations of a scientific study in the 1990s.
• The original study investigated the effects of various psychoactive drugs on spider web construction, not caffeine.
• Caffeine was one of many substances tested, and its effect on webs was unique, but not “drunkenness.”
• Spiders do not metabolize caffeine in the same way humans do, making the concept of them getting “drunk” inaccurate.
• There’s no practical application or benefit to giving spiders coffee.

Key terms and definitions

• Caffeine: A natural stimulant found in coffee, tea, and cacao plants.
• Psychoactive drug: A chemical substance that changes brain function and results in alterations in perception, mood, consciousness, cognition, or behavior.
• Urban legend: A humorous or horrific story or piece of information circulated as though true, especially one purporting to describe a recent event.
• Orb weaver: A common type of spider known for spinning intricate, circular webs.
• Metabolism: The chemical processes that occur within a living organism in order to maintain life.
• Neurotoxin: A poison that acts on the nervous system. Many insecticides are neurotoxins.
• Behavioral toxicology: The study of how toxic substances affect the behavior of living organisms.
• Bioassay: An analytical method to determine the concentration or potency of a substance by its effect on living cells or organisms.
• Web architecture: The structural design and patterns of a spider’s web.

How it works

• The myth began with a 1995 NASA study that explored how various chemicals affected spider web patterns.
• Researchers administered different substances to garden spiders (specifically, Araneus diadematus).
• The goal was to see if web-building could serve as a bioassay for drug toxicity.
• Spiders were given substances like caffeine, Benzedrine (amphetamine), chloral hydrate (a sedative), and marijuana.
• Each substance resulted in a distinct, altered web pattern compared to normal webs.
• Caffeine, in particular, led to webs with significant gaps and irregular structures, often described as “frantic” or “chaotic.”
• This specific web pattern, when observed, was humorously interpreted by some as a spider being “high” or “drunk.”
• The study demonstrated that web construction is a sensitive indicator of neurological impairment in spiders.
• The spiders were not voluntarily consuming these substances; they were administered by researchers.

What affects the result

• Type of substance: Different psychoactive drugs produce distinct changes in web patterns.
• Dosage: The amount of a substance administered to the spider influences the degree of web distortion.
• Spider species: While the NASA study used garden spiders, different spider species might react differently.
• Spider’s health: A healthy spider might process or react to a substance differently than a stressed or unhealthy one.
• Environmental factors: Temperature, humidity, and light conditions could potentially influence a spider’s web-building, even under normal circumstances.
• Caffeine’s chemical properties: Caffeine is a stimulant, and its effect on the spider’s nervous system manifested in a specific, irregular web.
• Misinterpretation: The biggest factor affecting the “does coffee make spiders drunk” myth is the human tendency to anthropomorphize animal behavior.
• Scientific communication: Simplified reporting of complex scientific findings can sometimes lead to widespread misunderstanding.

Pros, cons, and when it matters

• Pros of the original research:
• Provided a novel method (web-building) for assessing neurotoxicity.
• Demonstrated the sensitivity of spider behavior as a bioassay.
• Contributed to understanding the effects of various chemicals on living organisms.
• Cons of the myth:
• Spreads misinformation about animal behavior and biology.
• Encourages potentially harmful interactions with wildlife (e.g., trying to give spiders coffee).
• Oversimplifies complex scientific findings into an easily digestible, but incorrect, narrative.
• When it matters:
• Scientific accuracy: It’s important to understand the true findings of scientific studies.
• Animal welfare: Misconceptions can lead to people attempting to “experiment” on animals, which is unethical and potentially harmful.
• Critical thinking: The myth serves as an example of how information can be distorted as it spreads.
• Understanding neurobiology: The original study highlights the intricate connection between neurological function and complex behaviors like web-spinning.
• Pest control: Understanding what truly affects spiders can inform more effective and humane pest management, rather than relying on myths.

Common misconceptions

• Spiders enjoy coffee: Spiders do not “enjoy” coffee or any other human beverage; they are not wired to seek out or consume such substances.
• Coffee makes spiders “drunk”: The concept of “drunkenness” applies to how humans metabolize alcohol. Spiders do not metabolize caffeine in a way that would induce human-like intoxication.
• It’s a harmless prank: Attempting to give coffee to a spider is not harmless; it could be detrimental to the spider’s health or survival.
• Spiders build “better” webs on drugs: While some drugs caused unique web patterns, none resulted in webs that were functionally “better” or more efficient for the spider.
• The study was about caffeine: Caffeine was just one of many substances tested in the NASA study; the research was broader than just coffee’s effects.
• This is a practical way to study spiders: While the study used spiders as a bioassay, it’s not a common or recommended method for general spider observation or study.
• The webs were “artistic”: The altered webs were a sign of neurological disruption, not artistic expression or enhanced creativity.
• Spiders seek out stimulants: Spiders’ natural diet and behaviors do not involve seeking out stimulating substances like caffeine.

FAQ

Q: Did NASA really give spiders coffee?

A: NASA researchers did administer caffeine, among other psychoactive drugs, to spiders as part of a study to see how the substances affected web construction. It wasn’t about giving them “coffee” as a beverage. For more details, see our Ryze Mushroom Coffee. For more details, see our Does Black Coffee Help with Bloating. For more details, see our Using Black Coffee For Loose Motion. For more details, see our Build a Simple Coffee Cup Calorimeter.

Q: What happened to the webs after the spiders were given caffeine?

A: The webs built by spiders given caffeine were notably irregular, with significant gaps and a chaotic appearance, differing significantly from normal, organized webs.

Q: Why did people think spiders got “drunk” from coffee?

A: The highly distorted and unusual web patterns, particularly from caffeine, were humorously interpreted by the public as the spider behaving as if “drunk” or “high,” leading to the popular myth.

Q: Is it safe to give coffee to a spider?

A: No, it is not safe. Administering any foreign substance like coffee to a spider could be harmful to its health or even fatal, as their physiology is very different from humans.

Q: Was the NASA study specifically about caffeine?

A: No, the study was a broader investigation into using spider web patterns as a bioassay for various psychoactive drugs, including Benzedrine, chloral hydrate, marijuana, and caffeine.

Q: Can spiders get addicted to caffeine?

A: There is no scientific evidence to suggest that spiders can develop an addiction to caffeine in a manner comparable to humans. Their physiological response and metabolic pathways are different.

Q: What was the actual purpose of the NASA spider study?

A: The primary purpose was to evaluate whether changes in spider web architecture could serve as a sensitive and cost-effective method to detect the toxicity of various chemicals.

What this page does NOT cover (and where to go next)

• The specific chemical mechanisms of how caffeine affects a spider’s nervous system.
• Detailed methodologies of the original NASA study beyond general concepts.
• A comprehensive list of all substances tested in behavioral toxicology studies on spiders.
• The ethical considerations of animal testing in general scientific research.
• Practical advice on how to deter spiders from your home.
• The fascinating diversity of spider web types and their ecological functions.