As of: March 10, 2024, 3:47 p.m
By: Juliane Gutmann
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Can't get going without coffee?
That could be a false assumption, according to sleep doctors.
A study shows when coffee actually wakes us up.
“If we want coffee and the like to have an awakening effect, then we shouldn’t consume it chronically,” explains Dr.
Carolin Reichert.
The deputy head of the Center for Chronobiology at the University Psychiatric Clinics in Basel is quoted in a press release from the German Society for Sleep Research and Sleep Medicine (DGSM).
As part of a study, they looked at the effects of coffee on our bodies.
An important result: Heavy drinkers react much worse to the awakening caffeine than people who rarely drink coffee.
“Coffee is only a stimulant if our receptors react sensitively to it, and this requires phases of abstinence,” says Reichert.
Heavy drinkers don't really benefit from the awakening caffeine effect.
But the DGSM researchers found out even more.
According to them, caffeine only has a tiredness-relieving effect if two conditions apply: you had a short night or you have already been on your feet for far too long.
“When we’re well rested and awake, caffeine doesn’t make us any more alert than we already are.”
“Caffeine has a proven awakening effect especially when we have not slept for a short time or have been awake for a very long time.
Then caffeinated drinks such as coffee or tea support the feeling of alertness.
When we are well rested and awake, caffeine does not make us more awake than we already are,” says a DGSM press release.
Coffee doesn't always have a stimulating effect.
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Could you swear that coffee always wakes you up?
According to the DGSM sleep experts, this feeling is due to the fact that you consume coffee every day.
If you have a cup of coffee once or several times a day, you promote a habituation effect in your body.
At night, if we don't drink coffee, a mini-withdrawal can occur.
The resulting tiredness can be overcome with a morning coffee, according to the DGSM experts.
But if you don't make regular coffee a habit in the first place, you don't have to expect withdrawal symptoms.
Genetics play a role in how we react to caffeine
Genetic factors also influence how strongly we react to caffeine.
Some people drink a double espresso in the evening and can still sleep.
Others lie wide awake in bed drinking coffee shortly after 3 p.m.
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This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. It in no way replaces a visit to the doctor. Unfortunately, our editorial team cannot answer individual questions about medical conditions.