We’ve all experienced the allure of a TV series with such compelling cliffhangers that we find ourselves watching episode after episode, only to realize it’s 3am and we have to work in just a few hours.
My solution involves a strong coffee in the morning and an energy drink at lunchtime. Initially, I feel a surge of alertness, but soon after, I experience a crash and feel worse than before. Anatomy expert Justin Cottle explains why this happens.
On the Institute of Human Anatomy’s YouTube channel, Cottle discussed the impact energy drinks have on the human body.
Based in Salt Lake City, Cottle explained that caffeine blocks adenosine from binding to receptors in the brain. Adenosine is a chemical that signals to the brain that it’s time to rest.
Caffeine, however, ‘plugs up’ these receptors, preventing us from feeling sleepy.
“So you then are left feeling energized despite not actually being given any energy, you just don’t feel drowsy,” Cottle told viewers.
“But here’s the problem, the caffeine will wear off, and when it does, the adenosine that has been getting produced all throughout the brain’s tissue is going to pile onto those receptors.
“When it does, just picture all these zooming signals going throughout the brain, saying, ‘I’m tired, I’m tired, I’m tired, I’m tired’, and that, ladies and gentlemen, is what we call the crash – or that energetic crash.”
Cottle noted that while not all energy drinks are sweetened with sugar, some use artificial sweeteners like sucralose, which can affect insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism, potentially altering the brain’s perception of sweetness.
He elaborated on how sugar is processed in the body, noting that it can be broken down by gut bacteria before reaching the liver.
Cottle explained: “This is really, really interesting, because recent data has shown an association between sugar metabolization from those bacteria and metabolic syndrome.
“Neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s, it’s possible that the gut bacteria can actually influence the brain through the peripheral nervous system, through the byproducts of sugar metabolism.”
However, Cottle emphasized that more research is necessary to fully understand the potential connection between sugar intake and Alzheimer’s.
The autonomic nervous system, which includes the sympathetic (‘fight or flight’) and parasympathetic (‘rest and digest’) systems, is activated by energy drink consumption, particularly the sympathetic branch.
Caffeine triggers the adrenal glands to produce epinephrine and norepinephrine.
This results in effects such as pupil dilation, reduced saliva production, bronchial dilation, bladder relaxation, decreased intestinal activity, increased heart rate, and reduced blood flow to erectile tissue.
You can watch Cottle’s full video here.