The first cup of coffee in the morning makes us happier

Every morning for millions of people around the world begins the same way — with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. And, as a new study has shown, it’s not just a pleasant habit: coffee really can make us happier. The researchers followed 236 young people for several weeks. The participants noted their mood at different points of the day and recorded whether they had drunk coffee or other caffeinated drinks in the last hour and a half.

It turned out that a cup of coffee in the morning significantly enhances positive emotions. People felt more cheerful, happier, and more enthusiastic about getting down to business. Even such negative states as sadness or irritation became less noticeable.

What particularly surprised the researchers was that the effect was the same for everyone. It didn’t matter how much coffee a person usually drank, whether they had anxiety or sleep problems, the reaction was about the same.

Experts explain this by the effect of caffeine: it blocks adenosine receptors in the brain, which increases dopamine activity and gives a feeling of vivacity and good mood. But the question remains whether it’s really just about stimulating the brain, or whether the morning cup just relieves mild withdrawal symptoms after a night break.

Coffee has accompanied humans for thousands of years. Today, about 80% of adults worldwide regularly consume caffeinated beverages. And even in nature there are so—called caffeine lovers – for example, bees choose flowers whose nectar contains this substance.

However, the researchers remind us that coffee has a downside. Excessive consumption can lead to addiction and sleep problems, especially if you drink it in the afternoon.