Similar to other drugs and alcohol, the more you consume, the more you’ll need to achieve the same result. Losing sleep night after night and reaching for more and more coffee day after day can ultimately lead to a higher caffeine tolerance. The problem here is when this failsafe becomes standard operating procedure. When sleep tumbles down on the list of priorities, many people will take it in stride because coffee can help them get over the hump. The unfortunate truth about coffee and caffeine is that they are often used either as a substitute for sleep or as a way to fill in the gaps. Think of it this way: caffeine doesn’t prevent tiredness it postpones it.” You have a higher caffeine tolerance So, once caffeine’s effects wear off, the built-up adenosine binds to the brain’s receptors, causing tiredness. Consuming caffeine prevents receptors from receiving adenosine, but it doesn’t stop its production. “Adenosine, a sleep-regulating chemical, makes you feel tired as it builds up throughout the day. “ Caffeine is a psychoactive compound that blocks adenosine receptors in the central nervous system,” he says. However, consuming caffeine can actually make you feel more tired once it’s fully metabolized and the effects wear off.” Stephen Light, CEO, and Co-Owner at Nolah Technologies, a sleep technology company, explains, “People drink coffee and other caffeinated beverages to help them perk up in the morning or to boost them through an afternoon slump. So, where does caffeine fit into the equation? Ultimately, adenosine is a key player in our sleep-wake cycle.

And as you might have guessed, adenosine levels in our brains decrease while we sleep. That’s why we all become increasingly tired as the day wears on. While we’re awake, adenosine levels gradually rise, eventually reaching the point where we feel sleepy. Coffee meddles with adenosine receptors in your brainįor those who feel tired after drinking coffee, it’s all about how caffeine interacts with the chemicals in your brain, specifically adenosine.Īdenosine works like a neurotransmitter in our brain. From wreaking a little havoc with some of the neurotransmitters in our brains to its diuretic effects, there are a few reasons why coffee and caffeine don’t quite work the way they should for some folks. While some people can reach for a cup of joe and get the boost they’re looking for others only end up feeling more tired after their afternoon coffee break. So, if caffeine is a stimulant, how does coffee make you more tired? There’s a bit more to coffee than meets the eye-read on to learn more about your favorite morning brew’s relationship with sleep. Instead of boosting their energy levels, coffee leaves them feeling tired and sluggish.

For others, caffeine has the opposite effect.

For some people, coffee works as intended, making them more alert, awake, and active.

And because it’s a drug, it affects each person differently. We’re right there with you.īut popularity aside, coffee, specifically the caffeine contained within, is a stimulant. We can only assume that those who rely on coffee for their daily caffeine boost probably see it as fairly innocuous and delicious to boot. Most people who drink coffee regularly do so to boost their energy levels and sharpen their focus. Coffee is the most popular drink in the world, with an estimated 2 billion cups consumed per day.

Does coffee break you out