Science
How Caffeine Impacts Your Brain
Caffeine doesn’t actually give you energy; it blocks adenosine receptors, the brain’s internal gauges for fatigue. By hitting “pause” on tiredness, caffeine delivers an artificial alertness. But here’s the kicker: as soon as the caffeine wears off, that blocked adenosine floods back, often leaving you with an even stronger wave of fatigue. Caffeine feels like a pick-me-up, but it’s really more of a delay button.
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The thinker
Neuroscientist & Podcast Host
Andrew Huberman is a neuroscientist and professor at Stanford School of Medicine, known for his Huberman Lab podcast where he translates neuroscience into practical tools.
Based on Andrew Huberman's podcast on caffeine and its effect on the brain (Spotify), summarised and reframed by Insights.
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