Caffeine is the most commonly used psychoactive drug in the world. One of the reasons it is so popular is the effects it has on the body. For example; that pick-me-up feeling you get from your coffee breaks is simply the caffeine-blocking adenosine in your brain, which is the hormone that causes you to feel tired.

Caffeine also tells your brain to release natural stimulants like glutamine and dopamine. These help boost your mood and generate a sense of euphoria, much like cocaine. Normally, your body first burns its main source of fuel, which is glycogen, and then it burns fat. The caffeine disrupts this process, telling the body to burn fat earlier, preserving your glycogen stores for later. That’s why your body can work harder without feeling like it.

This makes caffeine one of the most common performance-enhancing drugs used worldwide. If you’re a little tired, studies have shown that caffeine will improve focus by enhancing reaction time and memory recall. And if you’re not feeling well, caffeine can fix that, too. It speeds up the body’s ability to absorb aspirin and acetaminophen, making them work faster and last longer.

Have you ever realized that the more coffee you drink, the more you need it? That’s your body building up a tolerance. With each cup, your body produces more receptors for adenosine, so you need more caffeine to block those receptors and feel energized. You also produce more stomach acid after consuming caffeine, which can lead to heartburn. Too much caffeine, and you’re likely to start feeling anxious. That anxiety comes from the adrenaline your body releases when caffeine excites the brain cells. Over time, you can even develop a caffeine addiction. Therefore causing withdrawal symptoms like headaches and fatigue.