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2h ago

Study Finds Morning Caffeine Tied to Short-Term Mood Lift

Researchers say the mood change may reflect relief from overnight withdrawal rather than a pure drug effect.

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Liu et al. found that compared to non-coffee drinkers, adults who drank moderate amounts (1.5 to 3.5 cups per day) of unsweetened coffee or sugar-sweetened coffee were less likely to die during a 7-year follow up period. Image credit: Sci-News.com.

Overview

  • In a peer-reviewed Scientific Reports study, 236 young adults in Germany completed seven daily smartphone check-ins for up to four weeks, reporting current mood and any caffeinated drink in the prior 90 minutes.
  • Positive affect was higher after recent caffeine use, with the strongest association in roughly the first 2.5 hours after awakening.
  • The association was similar regardless of habitual caffeine intake, depressive symptoms, anxiety, or sleep problems, although people who avoid caffeine were not included.
  • Scientists point to adenosine receptor blockade with downstream dopamine activity as a plausible explanation for the observed mood lift.
  • The authors caution that caffeine can cause dependence, carry risks such as elevated heart rate and anxiety, and disrupt sleep when consumed later in the day.