You Might Be Addicted To Caffeine If This Happens To You
It's perfectly normal to crave a cup of coffee after waking up in the morning. However, if you can't go a day without drinking it, you might be addicted to caffeine. Like many other substances, caffeine can be physically addictive (via Healthline). A natural stimulant found in coffee, tea, and chocolate, caffeine can improve your mood, increase alertness and concentration, and even speed up your metabolism. This is largely due to caffeine's effect on your brain.
Caffeine blocks the adenosine receptors in your brain, which let you know when you're tired. In turn, the blocked adenosine receptors trigger the release of other stimulants, like dopamine. Regular caffeine consumption, however, can actually alter your brain chemistry, causing you to become addicted. Since caffeine blocks your adenosine receptors, your brain might produce more to replace the ones that have been blocked. This can lessen the desired effects of caffeine, causing you to consume even more caffeine to get the same fix.
How to tell if you're addicted to caffeine
If you're wondering if your caffeine habit is more of an addiction, look no further. There are a few ways to tell if you've become too dependent on caffeine. You might have a caffeine addiction if you get a headache when you skip your morning cup of coffee for a day (via Self). This is a tell-tale sign of caffeine withdrawal. Caffeine slows the flow of blood to your brain, so if you're used to consuming caffeine on a daily basis, going without it for a day or two can give you a withdrawal headache.
Another sign of caffeine withdrawal is an inability to concentrate. Since caffeine is a stimulant, it can help keep you alert and focused. If you've become accustomed to this, however, going without caffeine can make it difficult to concentrate on any given task. Another way to tell if you're addicted to caffeine is if you're in a bad mood before getting your caffeine fix for the day. Caffeine stimulates the pleasure center in the brain, regulating and improving your overall mood. If you're consistently grumpy whenever you don't drink your morning cup of coffee, you might be addicted to caffeine.