Have you ever had one of those days where you just feel like you just can’t wake up without a little pick-me-up?

If you drink coffee every morning, this is likely something you’re more than familiar with.

Many people swear that they are unable to properly function throughout the day without their morning coffee. Anyone who works in an office likely has several tales of bosses or co-workers that test their patience more than usual when they’ve been deprived of their coffee in the morning. Since we enjoy analyzing the subjects of sleep and sleeping so much, we thought we’d present you with a compelling blog post on OnlineClock.net that answers the question “do we really wake up faster/better with caffeine?”

Let’s begin by taking a scientific approach and analyzing the question at a cellular level.

Did you know that caffeine affects even the smallest parts of matter in our bodies? Despite how it may feel, it actually doesn’t just go directly to our brains and make us wide-eyed and jittery. It begins, of course, when you drink or eat something with caffeine in it. The process is very well outlined in an educational publication by Bryn Mawr College. The author explains that once caffeine is ingested and absorbed through the intestines, it is in competition with adenosine for the cells’ surface-binding sites. It binds to some of the cells, initiating an inhibition of the adenylyl cyclase enzyme. This enzyme synthesizes cAMP, which is a second messenger in the signal-transduction pathway, or the cell “message path.” Along with calcium ions, they normally travel through the cell’s cytosol, assisting with signal transmission throughout the cell body. After this, epinephrine attaches to a specific receptor protein. This would normally activate adenylyl cyclase, but caffeine inhibits the union.

So, we now know that caffeine inhibits the enzyme that is necessary for carrying out normal body signals. Here is the interesting part – when cAMP cannot be broken down, then ATP cannot be converted to glucose. ATP is adenosine triphosphate, a nucleotide and coenzyme necessary for natural energy transfer in cells. So, we’re replacing a lower amount of natural energy with a large amount of “fake” energy. There is one important thing to keep in mind about the human body – all parts of it normally work together or through response mechanisms to maintain an overall harmonious healthy “balance,” which is called homeostasis.

In an attempt to return the body to a homeostatic state, the pituitary gland responds to the higher levels of cAMP by prompting the release of epinephrine. The sympathetic nerves located near the heart’s pacemaker tissue trigger the release of norepinephrine, which make muscles contract harder. The result is a stronger and faster heartbeat. When blood is pumped through the vascular system, oxygen is transported.

Coffee and energy drink fans, if you feel more “clear-headed” and alert after your initial dose of caffeine after waking up, you can thank the extra oxygen surging through your vascular system for that. According to a publication from California State University at Chico, when your heart is beating faster and the oxygen is being pumped in higher volumes through your blood, your brain is using most of it. They state that the brain uses about 25% of the oxygen in your blood – and it uses 20% of the body’s blood. Oxygen increases brain function, giving you that clear-headed and awake feeling you’re searching for as you finish ingesting your caffeine fix.

Now, for the big answer – does caffeine really wake you up?

Yes and no.

Surely that wasn’t the answer you were expecting, but let us explain.

Yes, from a physiological standpoint, it is safe to say that caffeine will wake you up. Your brain becomes more alert when more oxygen flows through it. That’s a scientific fact. However, there are some factors that can inhibit this effect on some people. Walden University best explains it in their breakdown of caffeine on students. Body weight, height and chemistry play important roles in determining the effect of caffeine. There are other factors affecting it also, such as the amount of sleep a person has had recently.

That same large cup of coffee from your favorite coffee shop may rejuvenate you on a morning after a night of sleeping for eight hours, but it may also make you jittery and less focused after a night of only three hours of sleep.

So, the definitive answer on this subject is very scientific.

You need to be sure you use caffeine when you have had ample sleep – and don’t overdo it or you may not be able to sleep the following night.

This answer isn’t universal, of course. Not everyone can tolerate caffeine. As mentioned, people with various health conditions shouldn’t use it without a doctor’s approval. Since everyone’s physiological and chemical makeup varies slightly, so do their reactions. This is why a tiny bit of caffeine will keep one person awake all day, but keeps another person alert only for a short amount of time. If you find that you are dependent on caffeine, it is best to see a doctor. You’re probably not getting quality sleep at night or are not getting enough.

Carnegie Mellon University makes it clear in their publication about effects of caffeine on the body that not all effects are good. Their article points out one very important thing to remember – caffeine is considered a drug. It is classified as a stimulant, but it is still potentially addictive. The amount that is required to produce a lethal dose would be impossible for a human to both consume and absorb in the short amount of time it is calculated in, so this isn’t an issue.

However, people with pre-existing heart problems may aggravate them with the consumption of caffeine. A person with a weak heart could face a possible ER visit with the forceful heartbeats induced by caffeine consumption. In their article, Carnegie Mellon also points out that while caffeine promotes better circulation, clear thoughts and improved oxygen flow, large doses also create dizziness, headaches, tremors and insomnia.

Another interesting fact noted is that it targets the cerebral cortex. This is the gray matter on the outer part encompassing the brain. It is associated with higher reasoning, judgment and memory. Caffeine causes stimulation in this area, affecting the Central Nervous System.

In the previously-mentioned article from Walden University, a good point is made. Caffeine as a stimulant also has the opposite effect as it wears off. This leaves people feeling sluggish and less focused.

Perhaps this is why so many universities and colleges advise students against using caffeine to stay awake, especially for tests.

How many students want to have inhibited memory, reasoning and judgment during final exams? Science certainly doesn’t imply that caffeine is helpful to students or workers when paired with little sleep and increased consumption.

Now that we’ve solved the question about caffeine waking people up, the next big question is “is it worth it?”

Well, that is up to you.

Obviously, if you have atrial fibrillation or an enlarged heart, it probably isn’t.

If you only need a cup of coffee to simply get you going in the morning after a good night’s sleep, then perhaps it is.

Students, use it cautiously. If you plan to take caffeine pills or live on energy drinks during exams, that’s a bad idea.

Your brain is tricking you into feeling alert, but keep in mind that it isn’t functioning as well as it would be with eight hours of quality sleep.

We’re not physicians here at OnlineClock.net, but we can certainly say that if you’re unsure about caffeine, it seems you are much better off with the good old-fashioned natural remedy – a good night’s sleep. 🙂

Pleasant dreams.