Why does coffee make me sleepy? Is this a normal thing?

[ProudLib72]

Last edited Wed Mar 6, 2019, 10:56 PM - Edit history (1)

Yes, caffeinated coffee. I discovered the Keurig in the boss's office and had a go...twice. Ever since I've been ready for a nap.

[aeromanKC]

1. Seems akin to giving Ritalin (speed) to ADHD kids to calm them down

I seem to have the same effect with coffee sometimes too, and have thought this might be the reason..??

[ProudLib72]

4. I thought it might be because it was something warm in my belly

It has had this effect on me ever since I can remember. Other caffeinated drinks (sodas) wake me up, but coffee relaxes me.

[rusty quoin]

6. Coffee never had an effect on me unless I drank a lot.

[frogmarch]

19. My first thought!

Both of my grandsons, ages 9 and 16, have ADHD and although they don't take Ritalin, they do drink coffee to calm down.

[RobinA]

2. Ever Been

diagnosed as ADHD? If Ritalin et al. work for you, you might have your answer.

[IcyPeas]

3. ahh, the old Paradoxical reaction

Paradoxical reaction is when a "drug" gives you the opposite effect than it's supposed to.

A paradoxical reaction or paradoxical effect is an effect of medical treatment, usually a drug, opposite to the effect which would normally be expected. An example of a paradoxical reaction is pain caused by a pain relief medication.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradoxical_reaction

[ProudLib72]

7. So I googled around for "paradoxical reaction to caffeine"

There were two things I discovered:
1. There can be a paradoxical reaction based on the amount consumed (and I think this may also have to do with how habituated a person is to caffeine).
2. A diuretic that dehydrates you can make you sleepy.

[Historic NY]

5. It never keeps me awake....

only the getting up to go does.

[unblock]

8. Caffeine affects different people differently.

It's a mild stimulant for most people, for some a rather powerful one.

Me, it has no effect on whatsoever.

For others, it's a depressant. Sounds like you may be in that category.

[ProudLib72]

9. But it all depends on when I drink it and what form it comes in

For example, I have had coffee early in the morning, and it worked as a stimulant. Caffeinated sodas work as a stimulant on me. But it seems like if I have coffee in the late morning/early afternoon, it acts as a depressant. It's very strange.

[TexasBushwhacker]

12. Are you adding sugar

Maybe your body is having a post sugar crash.

[ProudLib72]

13. Hmmm, that makes sense

I am adding a little sugar, not much, but a little. I hadn't even considered that possibility. I guess I will have to experiment with no sugar.

[procon]

10. I've never experienced any burst of energy

from drinking coffee, and my taste preferences run to strong, dark roasted brews. I often enjoy a cup of coffee before bedtime and it's never prevented me from sleeping.

While coffee might adversely affect some people, there seems to be a large number of us who get to enjoy the taste without suffering any unwanted side effects.

[GemDigger]

11. I drink two cups a day. The first one is a wake up and with the afternoon cup I am asleep before it

gets finished. Every. Single. Time.

[ProudLib72]

14. Then I am not alone!

I'm glad at least one person can experience coffee as both a stimulant and depressant at different times of the day.

[GemDigger]

15. You are not alone.

It is not my intention to take a nap, it is the intention of the coffee beans that I should take a nap. If I drank one now I would not be able to sleep tonight...… It doesn't make sense to me.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

16. Had you never had coffee before?

I get a bit of a boost from regular coffee. I have one cup in the morning, and that's generally enough. A while back I had a full time job where I was really fading in the afternoon, and I figured out that if I had about half a cup of coffee right after lunch, I was good for the rest of the day.

[Niagara]

17. I love coffee

I've cut myself down to 3 cups from 8 cups a day. I don't get all hyper if I consume it, but I feel really sluggish if I go all day without any coffee.

Lately, I've noticed if I consume a high amount of sugar, I get sleepy a few hours later.

My guess, you're having a sugar crash. It might be good idea to keep an eye on your blood sugar levels to make sure that your levels aren't too low or too high.

[lilactime]

18. That happened to me when I hit menopause. At the same time coffee

started making me drowsy, wine started keeping me awake.