Russian sleep medicine specialist Dr. Maxim Novikov has explained why some people feel sleepy after drinking coffee.
In an interview with the Russian newspaper Gazeta.ru, the doctor said that “coffee does not provide a boost of energy in cases of chronic sleep deprivation and sleep disorders. On the contrary, it may cause drowsiness in some people under these circumstances.”
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Novikov explained that “caffeine does not create energy out of nothing. Its mechanism of action is linked to the accumulation of a substance in the body that contributes to the feeling of sleepiness. Caffeine temporarily blocks the effects of adenosine on certain receptors in the brain, which may make a person feel temporarily more alert. However, this does not mean the body’s need for sleep has disappeared.”
He added that “this is precisely why coffee can seemingly mask the effects of fatigue. However, if a person has not slept well for several nights, a single cup of coffee cannot make up for the lost sleep; it will only temporarily reduce the feeling of tiredness.”
The doctor explained that caffeine does not affect everyone in the same way. The rate at which the body processes caffeine depends on individual characteristics, age, genetics, pregnancy, the use of certain medications and other factors.
Health experts point out that caffeine in coffee can affect brain activity during sleep. Drinking just two cups of coffee, equivalent to 200 milligrams of caffeine, after midday may be enough to reduce sleep quality and keep the brain in an active state.
