I think people drink coffee too early in the belief it gives energy.
Coffee blocks adenosine, the neurotransmitter responsible for making you feel sleepy.
So it dulls the sleepiness which feels like an energy boost, but it's not.
Cortisol naturally peaks as you wake. Coffee can encourage more cortisol production (which we did not need) which can cause the 'coffee jitters'. Over time your body can start producing less cortisol as it becomes dependant on the coffee to encourage production. Too much caffeine too early = cortisol + adrenaline spike = jitters, anxiety, restlessness.
I like to think of cortisol as natural coffee for your brain.
Caffeine can still be helpful but usually 90 minutes after waking.
This totally makes sense. Thanks for sharing
Dave, thanks for the post, the content is valuable—will you consider posting sources to the studies you mention?
A lot of recent articles I have posted sources referenced. Hope this helps
What do you think is the role of coffee in this waking period?
Does it actually boost brain energy, or just a placebo as people try to work as soon as they wake?
I think people drink coffee too early in the belief it gives energy.
Coffee blocks adenosine, the neurotransmitter responsible for making you feel sleepy.
So it dulls the sleepiness which feels like an energy boost, but it's not.
Cortisol naturally peaks as you wake. Coffee can encourage more cortisol production (which we did not need) which can cause the 'coffee jitters'. Over time your body can start producing less cortisol as it becomes dependant on the coffee to encourage production. Too much caffeine too early = cortisol + adrenaline spike = jitters, anxiety, restlessness.
I like to think of cortisol as natural coffee for your brain.
Caffeine can still be helpful but usually 90 minutes after waking.
Hope this helps Joyce.