Your Brain on Coffee ☕

Morning Coffee Junkies!

Humans are truly addicted to coffee. 

We slurp up about a billion cups of the stuff every single day.

I mean, we can all understand why… it makes you feel great!

Which is probably why caffeine is by far the most consumed drug on earth…

But how does it work?

And what exactly does coffee do to your brain?

So, whenever you’re awake this little molecule called Adenosine slowly accumulates in your brain over time.

And your brain is packed with a bunch of these little adenosine receptors:

And when adenosine docks in these receptors it activates a sequence of fancy biochemical reactions.

This is what makes you sleepy.

And the longer you're awake, the more adenosine gets released meaning you feel more tired.

On the other hand, while you sleep, the amount of adenosine drops, which gradually makes you more awake!

But the thing is, the caffeine (the stuff in coffee) is pretty similar to adenosine. 

So close, in fact, that caffeine can wedge itself into an adenosine receptor. 

This blocks adenosine from docking there.

Meaning you simply don't get as sleepy.

Basically: 

This is great for when you're feeling tired and really have to get some work done. 

But, if you are a long time coffee drinker your brain simply responds by creating more adenosine receptors.

Meaning you need even more caffeine to achieve the same effect.

So why do people keep coming back to it?

Well, this is mostly down to the fact that Caffeine can make you happy. 

How?

Basically, some adenosine receptors are linked to receptors for another molecule.

Called Dopamine.

Dopamine is what makes you feel good. 

It's the same stuff that gets released when you take drugs, gamble, have sex, eat a juicy burger, play video games or buy something.

So, when adenosine docks in one of these special receptors, it leaves almost no room for dopamine to dock too.

But when caffeine takes adenosine’s place, it allows just enough room for dopamine to dock next to it.

Meaning… it makes you feel good!

Stay Cute,
Reece, Henry & Dylan 🌈

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