Need to drink more coffee to get the same old kick? Read this

Every year, more and more people are drinking more and more coffee. And if you have been sipping this beautiful and potent drink for a long time, you might have observed this too. The first day your eyes were widened by a small cup of coffee alone, but now you crush down the whole factory and brew it down to a cup to get that same fantastic caffeine kick. What could be the reason? Well, I did my research on it and found out that it is this thing called ‘caffeine resistance’. So, what in the world is this fancy scientific term?

What is caffeine resistance?

Imagine waking up to your usual morning coffee, eagerly waiting for that caffeine kick to kickstart your day. But no matter how much coffee you drink, that familiar jolt of energy just doesn't seem to hit you the way it used to. This, my friend, is caffeine resistance - a condition where your body becomes less responsive to the stimulating effects of caffeine. It's like your body has built up a tolerance to your favorite pick-me-up, leaving you feeling drained and unenergetic. But fear not, there are ways to combat caffeine resistance and get that old kick back. But before we jump on to that, let’s find out how it actually works within our brains.

Caffeine and brain

After we wake up, our body starts working on making it feel drowsy to prepare it for the next sleep. This gets done with the release of a hormone called ‘adenosine’. Caffeine, the most widely consumed psychoactive substance, has a direct effect on the brain by blocking adenosine. This chemical that naturally accumulates in the brain throughout the day and makes us feel sleepy. When adenosine is blocked, other neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine are released. These hormones are known to improve mood, alertness, and cognitive function. This is why you might have heard someone saying it looks dope. And for this very reason, caffeine is often associated with increased focus and productivity.

However, know that too much caffeine can also lead to negative side effects like jitters, anxiety, and disrupted sleep. It's important to find a balance and be mindful of how much caffeine we consume to support our brain health. And if you ask us what is the maximum amount, then know that FDA has put the daily limit at 400 mg. To give you an idea of this, here is the caffeine content in different types of coffee:

• An espresso shot – approx. 212 mg

• 8oz cup of brewed coffee – 70 to 140 mg

• Caffeine tabs – as per the label (200mg common)

So, have an idea of how much caffeine you are taking per day. 3-5 cups of coffee per day will touch this daily caffeine limit.

So, as you understand what caffeine resistance is, how can you deal with this?

How to deal with caffeine resistance?

• Take a break and try to abstain from caffeine for a week or two. This can help reset your tolerance levels and make you more sensitive to the effects of caffeine.

• Cut back on caffeine by gradually reducing your caffeine intake over a period of time. This will help your body adjust to lower levels of caffeine and make it more sensitive to the effects of caffeine when you consume it.

• Time your caffeine intake because caffeine has a half-life of about five hours, which means that it takes about five hours for your body to eliminate half of the caffeine you consumed. If you're sensitive to caffeine, avoid consuming it in the late afternoon or evening.

• Stay hydrated by drinking enough water. Caffeine is a diuretic, which means it can dehydrate you.

• Caffeine is not a replacement for sleep. If you're not getting enough sleep, caffeine will only provide a temporary boost in energy.

Also, when buying coffee or caffeine supplement, make sure you choose the best quality. You may counter its cost by buying it from sites like Shopify that sell health and beauty products at a good price. Happy drinking!