Quotes About Adenosine

Caffeine blocks the receptor that picks up on the level of adenosine. "I liken it to putting a Post-it note over your fuel-gauge indicator. You're not giving yourself more energy—you're just not realizing how empty you are. When the caffeine wears off, you're doubly exhausted.

Throughout the day, in your brain, a chemical called adenosine is building up, and it signals to you when you are sleepy. Caffeine blocks the receptor that picks up on the level of adenosine. "I liken it to putting a Post-it note over your fuel-gauge indicator. You're not giving yourself more energy—you're just not realizing how empty you are. When the caffeine wears off, you're doubly exhausted.

When caffeine gets to the receptors first, however, it doesn't let adenosine do its job. Caffeine doesn't actively keep us awake—it just blocks the natural mental brake.