13 hours ago
Your morning coffee is putting pep in your step — and making you happier too
That cup of morning joe is actually lifting your spirits.
People who regularly consume the hot bean juice or another caffeinated beverage are usually in a better mood after drinking it, according to European researchers.
'Caffeine works by blocking adenosine receptors, which can increase dopamine activity in key brain regions — an effect that studies have linked to improved mood and greater alertness,' England-based University of Warwick's Professor Anu Realo explained in a statement.
Essentially, the effects of adenosine, which is a naturally occurring compound that helps to regulate the heart and sleep cycles, are reduced. People feel more awake and energetic.
This mood boost was found to be more pronounced in the morning than later in the day. Although, notably, it is unclear if these findings are related to a reduction in withdrawal symptoms following sleep.
'Even people with moderate caffeine consumption can experience mild withdrawal symptoms that disappear with the first cup of coffee or tea in the morning,' noted Realo.
Still, regardless of peoples' level of consumption, the observed effect was the same: a happier and more enthusiastic mood on mornings with caffeine.
The researchers had believed this outcome could vary for each of the 236 young German adults they studied over the course of a month. They expected that people with higher levels of anxiety would experience negative mood changes after drinking caffeine.
Participants' mood was tracked using short questionnaires given to them on their smartphones seven times a day, asking about their current mood and whether they had consumed a caffeinated drink within the prior 90 minutes.
'We were somewhat surprised to find no differences between individuals with varying levels of caffeine consumption or differing degrees of depressive symptoms, anxiety, or sleep problems,' Justin Hachenberger, from Germany's Bielefeld University, said. 'The links between caffeine intake and positive or negative emotions were fairly consistent across all groups.'
While there were also links to negative moods observed, the researchers said the effects were less pronounced after drinking coffee than on days without it — and this effect was not dependent on the time of day.
The study authors cautioned that caffeine can lead to dependence. Excessive intake is linked to various health risks, including an increased heart rate, anxiety, and digestive issues. Consuming it later in the day can lead to sleep problems.
Ultimately, however, the findings could have wide-ranging implications for caffeine drinkers around the world. About 80 percent of adults around the world consume caffeinated beverages, according to Bielefeld's Professor Sakari Lemola.
Previous research has shown that caffeine could help people with depression and even reduce the risk of suicide.
'We identify caffeine as the most likely candidate of any putative protective effect of coffee,' Michel Lucas, research fellow at the Harvard School of Public Health, said in 2013.
The findings were published in the journal Scientific Reports.
If you are based in the U.S., and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to to find a helpline near you.
