Does Caffeine Make You More Tired?

Waking upScreen Shot 2015-09-16 at 5.53.48 PM in the morning, tired and cranky, I have the urge for a cup of coffee. Every morning I wake up and drink a cup of coffee to energize me and get me started for the day. However, throughout the day, I start to feel less energized and more tired. At the end of the day I am exhausted. Could drinking coffee be making me more tired?

According to Stephen Cherniske in his book, Caffeine Blues, just one caffeinated drink will put your body on a “caffeine rollercoaster.” By this he means that when you consume caffeine, the “drug begins its effects by initiating uncontrolled neuron firing in your brain. This excess neuron activity triggers your pituitary gland to secrete a hormone that tells your adrenal glands to produce adrenalin.” Screen Shot 2015-09-16 at 5.52.00 PM

Coffee not only wakes you up, but has you craving for more. As soon as you start to feel a little drowse, you crave another cup of coffee. This is the addictive part of caffeine.

“In other words, caffeine affects your body just like any drug. You start taking it slowly, but as your body develops a tolerance to it, you need more and more to feel the same effects. Eventually, your body reaches a point where it can’t be without it; otherwise, you will start to experience withdrawal symptoms.”

This all ties back to the caffeine rollercoaster. Your body is tired in the morning but once you have a cup of coffee you are energized. Then, you start to feel the caffeine wearing off so you drink more. This tired and non tired state of mind is a rollercoaster and ultimately makes your exhausted by the end of the day.

So, next time you are tired and feel the need for coffee. Instead, try a piece of fruit to wake you up. NOT caffeine.

Sources: 

http://www.naturalnews.com/012352_caffeine_coffee.html#

http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/questions/question/1000261/

http://www.enkivillage.com/coffee-makes-me-sleepy.html