No, coffee cannot diagnose ADHD
Contrary to recent popular belief.
Yes, there are indeed scientific reasons why some people feel sleepy after drinking coffee, and it's not necessarily an indicator of ADHD.
Here are a few possible explanations:
Adenosine Rebound:
Caffeine blocks adenosine receptors in the brain. Adenosine is a neurotransmitter that promotes relaxation and sleepiness. By blocking it, caffeine temporarily prevents you from feeling tired. However, once the effects of caffeine wear off, there can be a "rebound" effect, where accumulated adenosine floods the receptors, causing an increased feeling of sleepiness.
Dehydration:
Caffeine is a mild diuretic, which can cause increased urination and potentially lead to dehydration. Dehydration can make you feel fatigued or sleepy.
Blood Sugar Levels:
Drinking coffee, especially if it's sweetened or consumed with sugary foods, can cause a spike in blood sugar followed by a rapid drop. This dip can lead to feelings of tiredness, especially if you’re already insulin resistant.
Caffeine Metabolism:
Some people metabolize caffeine more quickly than others due to genetic differences. For fast metabolizers, the stimulant effects may fade faster, leading to a crash or drowsiness shortly after drinking coffee.
Stress Response:
Caffeine stimulates the release of adrenaline, which can lead to increased stress levels. For some, this stress response might initially cause alertness, but as adrenaline levels drop, it can lead to fatigue and sleepiness.
Circadian Rhythms:
If you drink coffee later in the day, it might coincide with your body’s natural dip in energy (such as the post-lunch dip in the afternoon). In this case, coffee might not be strong enough to combat that dip, leading to feelings of sleepiness.
The drowsiness some people experience after drinking coffee is due to various physiological reactions and not necessarily tied to ADHD.
Camille Charles is the voice behind The Minimalist Herbalist. She is an Herbal Researcher, Best-Selling Author and Consumer Advocate. You can find her distilling rose water in her instant pot, repurposing olive jars to store her cacao butter and overnight nettle infusions. She talks way too much about tinctures for womb health. When not writing or checking on her brews, she designs graphics.