That first morning coffee doesn’t just wake you up, it actually makes you happier. A study from Bielefeld University and the University of Warwick, published in Scientific Reports, found that regular caffeine drinkers report the biggest boost in mood after their first cup of the day.
Researchers tracked 236 young adults in Germany over four weeks. Participants completed brief smartphone surveys seven times daily, noting their mood and whether they had consumed caffeine in the past 90 minutes. The results showed people felt significantly happier and more enthusiastic after morning coffee compared to mornings without it.
The study also found small decreases in negative emotions such as sadness or irritability after caffeine, but this effect was consistent throughout the day and not specific to mornings.
Interestingly, the mood benefits were similar across all groups, regardless of how much caffeine participants normally drank or whether they had higher levels of anxiety, depression, or sleep problems. “The links between caffeine consumption and emotions were fairly consistent across all groups,” said Justin Hachenberger of Bielefeld University.
Caffeine works by blocking adenosine receptors in the brain, boosting alertness and dopamine activity, which has been tied to improved mood. The researchers noted that morning effects could also reflect the easing of overnight withdrawal symptoms: even moderate users can wake up with mild withdrawal that disappears after their first coffee.
While 80% of adults worldwide consume caffeine daily, the team cautions against overuse. Too much can cause dependence, health issues, or sleep disruption. Still, the first morning cup remains a uniquely powerful mood lifter.
Source: Medicalxpress / Huffington Post