Neurological Explanations
It is commonly known that caffeine is a natural stimulant, the capsule which is found in both coffee and energy drinks, which when ingested has a stimulating effect on your body that increases alertness and reduces fatigue. But why is it then that coffee and energy drinks can often make a person feel sleepy after consuming them? To answer this question we can look at two explanations from a neurological standpoint.
The most likely explanation for the post-caffeine drowsiness is that it is an effect of the body’s natural ‘caffeine cycle’. Caffeine takes approximately 15-45 minutes to reach its peak level in the human body, and once it does the effects start wearing off after about 3-4 hours.
The second explanation is related to the effects that caffeine has on the body itself. Caffeine is known to increase adrenaline levels, which causes a rise in blood pressure, heart rate and metabolism. This can have a sedating effect on the body. Thus, after the caffeine has been metabolised, the body is left feeling tired and exhausted.
Dietary Considerations
In addition to the neurological explanations, there are other dietary factors which can contribute to a cat-nap after coffee or energy drinks. One of the main dietary considerations is that coffee and energy drinks often contain added sugars, which can cause a spike in blood sugar levels and then a rapid crash, leaving the body tired and exhausted.
Another factor is that coffee and energy drinks may be taken on an empty stomach, or without consuming any food at all. When caffeine is ingested without Eating food, it can cause dizziness, fatigue, and even a mild headache. This is because, without food, the body cannot metabolise the caffeine quickly enough, leading to an accumulation of caffeine in the body. As this caffeine accumulates, it can cause headaches, drowsiness and fatigue.
Lifestyle Habits
Lifestyle habits can also contribute to an after-drink drowsiness. It is common to drink coffee or energy drinks as a quick and convenient pick-me-up before an early morning meeting, or as an afternoon energy booster. But when consumed in this way, these drinks can actually leave the body in a worse state than before. This is because, when the effects of the caffeine wear off, the body is left feeling more tired than it was before the drink was consumed.
Regularly drinking coffee or energy drinks can also disrupt the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle. Caffeine is a stimulant and can prevent the body from being able to relax and fall asleep. This can cause a lack of restful sleep, leaving the body feeling tired during the day.
Psychological Aspects
The psychological aspects of coffee and energy drinks can also contribute to the feeling of drowsiness. Caffeine is a stimulant and can increase anxiety, and can also leave the drinker feeling jittery. It can also make it hard to concentrate, as the drinker’s thoughts become scattered and unfocused. This can leave the drinker feeling exhausted and unable to focus.
The effects of caffeine can also be psychological in nature, as the body builds up a tolerance to the stimulant over time. This leads to increased dosages of caffeine in order to maintain the same level of stimulation. This can lead to feelings of dependency, as the body becomes more reliant on the rush of caffeine to stay energised.
Lastly, psychologically, coffee and energy drinks can lead to ‘crash and burn’ cycles when they are used as a substitute for sleep. Because they can cause a burst of energy, people may be fooled into thinking that they can stay awake for longer periods of time or perform more tasks than usual. However, this is rarely the case, and when the effects of the caffeine wear off, the body is left feeling more tired than before.
Biological Factors
The biological effects of caffeine can also contribute to feeling drowsy after drinking coffee and energy drinks. The body produces cortisol, a hormone which regulates how the body responds to stress and energy levels, and caffeine can interfere with this hormone. When cortisol levels are disrupted, it can leave the body feeling lethargic and tired.
Caffeine can also interfere with the body’s natural levels of serotonin. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter which helps regulate mood, and when caffeine disrupts the serotonin levels it can lead to feelings of exhaustion and fatigue.
Additionally, caffeine can cause dehydration, which can also lead to a feeling of drowsiness. When the body is dehydrated, it doesn’t have enough fluids to properly circulate and this can lead to a lack of energy and a feeling of fatigue.
Habitual Consumption
It is important to note that feeling sleepy after drinking coffee and energy drinks is not always the result of caffeine alone. It can also be due to a person’s habitual consumption of these drinks. Regular consumption of caffeine can lead to physical dependence, and when the body is lacking its regular dose, it can cause feelings of fatigue and drowsiness.
Additionally, some people may be more sensitive to the effects of caffeine than others, so a single cup of coffee or energy drink may have a much more pronounced effect on them. These people may be more likely to feel sleepy after consuming caffeine.
Alternatives
For those who suffer from post-caffeine drowsiness but want to avoid drinking coffee or energy drinks, there are some alternative options. Tea is a great alternative, as it contains caffeine but in smaller concentrations, meaning that it is less likely to cause a crash or feel sedating.
In addition to tea, there are a variety of herbal teas that can also provide an energy boost without the crash. Ginger tea, peppermint tea and chamomile tea are all known to have energising properties.
Finally, there are supplements that can provide an energy boost without the crash of caffeine. B vitamins are known to be effective in providing sustained energy, and certain amino acids, such as L-Tyrosine and L-Theanine, have been found to have energising effects.
Health Concerns
It is important to note that excessive intake of caffeine and energy drinks can lead to serious health issues. Consuming more than 400 mg of caffeine a day (roughly 2-4 cups of coffee) can lead to insomnia, cardiovascular issues, high blood pressure, and even depression.
Additionally, energy drinks often contain a variety of unhealthy ingredients, such as artificial sweeteners, high fructose corn syrup and large amounts of sugar. These ingredients can lead to a variety of health issues, including obesity and diabetes.
Caffeine is also a diuretic, which means it can cause dehydration. Chronic dehydration can lead to fatigue, headaches and digestive issues. And, if the body is already dehydrated when caffeine is ingested, the effects of dehydration can be exacerbated.
Conclusion
Feeling sleepy after drinking coffee or energy drinks can be explained by a combination of physical and psychological factors. From a neurological standpoint, caffeine takes approximately 15-45 minutes to reach its peak level in the body, and its stimulating effects can wear off after about 3-4 hours. Additionally, regular consumption of caffeine can disrupt the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle and lead to a tolerance or dependency on caffeine. From a dietary standpoint, coffee and energy drinks often contain added sugars and may be taken on an empty stomach, which can lead to dizziness, fatigue and a mild headache. Additionally, psychological aspects of caffeine can contribute to feelings of anxiety, jitteriness and unfocused thoughts. Lastly, there are health concerns associated with excessive caffeine intake, such as dehydration and cardiovascular issues. For those who want to avoid the side effects of coffee and energy drinks, there are alternative options available, such as tea and certain supplements.
