Adenosine Receptors: Why Chronic Caffeine Makes You More Tired

Caffeine works by blocking your brains adenosine receptors. Adenosine is the molecule that builds up the longer you are awake and makes you feel tired. When caffeine blocks the receptors, you feel alert.

Receptor Upregulation

The brain is highly adaptable. When it notices that its adenosine receptors are constantly blocked by caffeine, it simply creates more of them. This biological process is known as upregulation.

As you build more receptors, you need more and more caffeine just to feel normal. Worse, when the caffeine wears off, you now have an excessive amount of receptors ready to be flooded by adenosine. This creates crushing fatigue.

The Reset Protocol

To regain your natural energy, you must decrease your receptor density.