what happens when you drink coffee?

18.01.2024

Caffeine is a direct stimulant of adrenaline glands
Adrenaline glands produce hormones
2 primary hormones which are being produced are epinephrine and norepinephrine (also known as adrenaline and noradrenaline)
Those 2 hormones are normally being released in fight-or-flight situations
Since caffeine simulates adrenaline glands, it makes you produce adrenaline hormones in great quantities
In our brains we have neurotransmitters which allows passages of messages from 1 brain cell to another
We have over 100 different types of neurotransmitters
Each have different capacity to take or repel electricity
Epinephrine and norepinephrine also work as neurotransmitters
Epinephrine and norepinephrine are one of the most effective neurotransmitters to pass messages in your brain
That makes your brain literally work faster

So when you drink coffee, you produce adrenaline (= epinephrine and norepinephrine) which allows your brain to literally work faster. That's why you feel smarter, brighter, more productive etc. Messages can pass in your brain more rapidly.

Downside?

It overwhelms your system. You start to have too many thoughts too fast. That's great and all when adrenaline is supposed to be produced, in fight-or-flight situations where you actually need to observe your surroundings and make quick decisions. In everyday life it's just extra stress on your system. It overwhelms your brain.

So whatever amount of anxiety you have (and everyone has some :) ), caffeine multiplies it. It can be hard to notice because it also kinda makes you feel more alive, for a moment.