Caffeine, Adenosine & Stimulants
Caffeine blocks adenosine, masking fatigue and raising alertness; high doses add jitter and impulsivity, and the underlying tiredness returns as the dose fades.
An everyday example
Three espressos into a long negotiation you feel sharp and decisive; the decisions made in that window are faster, not better, and the crash lands mid-afternoon.
What it can cost you
Mistaking stimulant-driven alertness for restedness, and signing during the jittery peak or the crash.
Warning signs
- I feel decisive in a way that is slightly too fast.
- I am reaching for another coffee instead of a break.
One thing to do
Cap intake before decisions at your normal dose, never a heroic one; treat the afternoon after heavy caffeine as a low-judgment window.
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