Get your buzz on with this crash course in the science behind the world's most beloved elixir
Caffeine is a stimulant found in over 60 plant species, but we're talking about the good stuff: Arabica coffee beans.
These beans contain about 2% caffeine, which is just enough to get your heart racing without turning you into a caffeine-fueled maniac
But what makes us go from sleepy to "I-can-save-the-world-with-a-good-cup-of-coffee"? Let's dive into the science behind it:
Caffeine blocks the action of adenosine, a neurotransmitter that makes us feel tired and bored
By binding to adenosine receptors, caffeine tells the brain to stop being lazy and start paying attention
This is why we feel more alert and focused when we've had our morning cup
But don't worry, we're not just zombies without our caffeine
We have a built-in counterbalance, the brain's own adenosine receptors, which can adapt to the constant barrage of caffeine
It's like our brain is saying "hey, I know you're just trying to get a caffeine high, but I'm not that easily impressed"
So, we can keep drinking coffee and still feel the effects of caffeine, but it takes more and more to get us going
And that's why we need to up the ante and drink more coffee to feel the same effects
But don't worry, we're not addicted... we're just... enthusiastic.
Did you know that caffeine is the world's most widely consumed psychoactive substance, even more than nicotine?
Or that it's also a natural insecticide?
Caffeine is also used as a treatment for certain medical conditions, like ADHD and Parkinson's disease
But don't try that at home, folks. We're not medical professionals here
That's all for today's crash course. You're now a certified Caffeine Chemist