Why your morning coffee might be making you tired instead of alert
Do you often feel a drop in energy, even after your favorite espresso? Discover why coffee sometimes leads to sleepiness instead of awakening.
8:03 PM EDT, May 10, 2024
We typically reach for coffee in the morning and occasionally in the afternoon for an energy boost. It's well understood that coffee reduces drowsiness and aids concentration. So, one might wonder, what's better than a cup of coffee during intense study sessions or long workdays? Yet, there are times when drinking coffee seems to have the opposite effect.
What does it signify when coffee, instead of energizing you, induces sleepiness? Could some people not tolerate coffee well? Were you aware that your reaction to coffee might depend on your body mass? Learn why coffee might make you feel unwell.
What to do when coffee "doesn't work"?
For many, a day without a hot mug of coffee is unimaginable, counting on it for their morning energy. But what should you do when that surge of vitality doesn't arrive, and you find yourself longing for sleep instead? Thinking that your coffee might be too weak could be a misjudgment. The issue often lies elsewhere.
Why do you feel sleepy after coffee?
The benefits of coffee are undeniable. Rich in B vitamins, it improves concentration and boosts creative thinking and mood, potentially lowering depression risks.
Caffeine, a psychoactive substance in coffee, stimulates the nervous system and interacts with adenosine, which regulates our sleep-wake cycle by temporarily blocking its receptors to ward off sleepiness. But, it doesn't halt adenosine production, meaning the stimulating effects of coffee may be brief, sometimes causing fatigue to return with greater intensity.
Why doesn’t coffee always stimulate?
As caffeine levels decrease, adenosine activity heightens, slowing down brain function and leading to feelings of tiredness and lethargy. Another aspect to consider is caffeine's effect on cortisol, the stress hormone, levels. Individuals with higher body mass may experience greater cortisol levels, making them more prone to post-coffee sleepiness.
Sugar tolerance may also play a role (since it's processed faster than caffeine). Coffee with milk and sugar can cause an insulin spike. Those with metabolic issues might only feel energized while sipping their coffee, soon becoming fatigued, sluggish, and drained of energy. Headaches can also occur as a reaction in these cases.
If coffee makes you sleepy but you can't resist an aromatic espresso, consider changing your habits. Limit yourself to no more than two cups a day and avoid additives like sugar, milk, or flavored syrups.
