Do You F*cking Mind? 301. The Neuroscience of Caffeine: Performance enhancing, Neuroprotective, and being more Alert
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Feb 11, 2024 Dive into the science of caffeine, its effects on alertness and performance, and interaction with dopamine in the brain. Explore how caffeine keeps you awake, enhances performance, and its neuroprotective effects. Learn about the history of caffeine, its impact on adenosine buildup, and considerations for consumption. Discover the competitive binding of caffeine with adenosine, individual tolerance levels, and the link between caffeine and Parkinson's disease.
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Caffeine Blocks Sleep Signals
- Caffeine keeps you awake by blocking adenosine receptors so adenosine can't trigger sleepiness.
- Caffeine fits the adenosine binding pocket but acts as an antagonist, preventing adenosine activation.
Adenosine Accumulates With Wakefulness
- Adenosine builds during the day from ATP breakdown and signals the brain to rest when extracellular levels rise.
- Caffeine competes with adenosine at receptors, delaying sleep onset for roughly two to three hours.
Host's High Coffee Habit
- Alexis reports she drinks three to five coffees daily and sometimes up to seven when socializing.
- She notes caffeine perks her up but doesn't strongly prevent sleepiness personally.