Why do regular coffee drinkers seem to need more and more coffee to maintain the buzz?
Do you ever wonder how coffee works on the brain? Does one cup of coffee per day feel like a warm, delicious hug for your brain? Or why, with a smile on your face, do you feel like ‘Why do I feel happy after drinking coffee’? Well, my fellow coffee lovers, we’re about to dive into the fascinating world of how coffee works on the brain and how coffee protects against chronic diseases.
First things first, coffee isn’t just a drink; it’s a source of motivation, productivity, and happiness for many of us. But have you ever thought about the best coffee for the brain? How does one cup of coffee per day wake us up, sharpen our focus, and put us in a great mood?
Grab your favourite Kiosk Kaffee mug, because we’re about to explore the best coffee near you that has your hearts, quite literally, racing.
To get your attention, let us share a few best coffee facts with you before we address these questions:
Fascinating Coffee Facts:
- Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world, with over 2.25 billion cups consumed every day. It’s a big cup of coffee!
- The active ingredient in coffee that wakes you up and boosts your mood is caffeine, but there’s a lot more to the story.
- Coffee increases the amount of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that your brain produces in excess. The euphoric effects of coffee are caused by this happy hormone.
- Even before you take a drink, the smell of coffee can be calming and de-stressing.
So.. Without Any Further Delay.. How Coffee Works On The Brain?
Caffeine And Neuroscience
Adenosine is a neurotransmitter, which is a substance that travels between brain nerve cells to transmit messages. It binds to adenosine receptors naturally throughout the day to build up in your brain.
Exhaustion results from this binding; it’s the feeling that strikes just before you make a commitment to yourself to get more sleep so that you can perform better the next day. It’s also the feeling that makes you want to make a second cup of coffee or treat yourself to a special occasion at your neighbourhood coffee shop.
Coffee And Dopamine Connection
Let’s now discuss dopamine and brain health, the happy part. Dopamine is known as the “feel-good” neurotransmitter, and it’s primarily responsible for the pleasant feeling you get when drinking one cup of coffee per day. When you drink coffee, caffeine doesn’t just stop at adenosine; it also indirectly triggers the release of dopamine which counts as a benefit of drinking coffee.
This is the part of the coffee experience that answers ‘Why do I feel happy after drinking coffee’. You feel happier, more driven, and even have better cognitive performance when your dopamine levels rise. It makes sense why a morning cup of coffee feels so good and justifies coffee for brain and heart health!
What Are Some Benefits Of Drinking Coffee On The Brain?
Well, there are various benefits of drinking coffee on the brain:
- Enhanced Cognitive Function: The caffeine in coffee helps enhance memory, alertness, and general mental performance, among other aspects of cognitive function.
- Increased Alertness: Caffeine blocks adenosine, a neurotransmitter that induces sleepiness, helping you stay more alert and awake.
- Enhanced Mood: Coffee may lower the risk of depression by stimulating the release of dopamine and other neurotransmitters linked to an improved mood.
- Better Reaction Time: Research shows that caffeine can enhance reaction times, making you quicker and more responsive in various situations.
- Decreased Risk of Neurological Diseases: According to certain research, drinking coffee on a regular basis in moderation may lower the risk of developing neurological conditions like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
- Antioxidant Properties: Coffee is rich in antioxidants that can help protect brain cells from damage while promoting a healthy brain in general.
Why Do You Feel Happy After Drinking Coffee?
You feel happy after drinking coffee because it contains a special ingredient called caffeine. Caffeine wakes up your brain and makes you feel more alert and less tired. It’s like a friendly push that tells your brain to be more active. Moreover, caffeine causes the release of dopamine, a happy chemical, in the brain. Hence, coffee gives you a double boost, making you feel happier and more alert. This is why you might be smiling broadly after taking your first sip!
So, Should We Ditch Coffee? Scary Right?
Some chocolates, teas, and energy drinks also contain caffeine, which is regarded as a stimulant or psychoactive substance. Like most drugs, there are drawbacks and benefits of coffee.
According to Dr. Madalin, “it antagonises adenosine receptors and causes the release of excitatory neurotransmitters.” “It’s beneficial at lower doses, but harmful or deleterious at higher doses.”
