Specialty Coffee: How It Chemically Provides Your Daily Dose of Happiness

In the early hours of the morning, while the city yawns and stretches, there is a ritual that transcends the mundane and flirts with the sublime. You take the first sip of your favorite coffee and suddenly the world becomes clearer, the colors become brighter, and a smile appears on your lips.

This daily alchemy, while infused with rich aromas and comforting heat, is underpinned by fascinating science.

Caffeine: the unknown superhero

At the center of this transformation is caffeine — the Amazon that comes to save the day. It targets adenosine, the neurotransmitter that makes you drowsy. By blocking adenosine receptors, caffeine waves a magic wand over your brain banishing sleep fog and bringing clarity and energy.

Dopamine: the master of mood

But caffeine’s magic doesn’t end there. It ventures even further, into the hallowed halls of your brain’s reward center, where it releases dopamine, the maestro of mood. As dopamine levels rise, so do increases your sense of pleasure and motivation . It’s as if your brain is giving you a standing ovation, a little celebration of existence with every sip.

Serotonin: the happiness hormone

Hold onto your cup, as the influence of coffee runs even deeper. It helps increase serotonin levels, the heralded happiness hormone. This increase in serotonin brings a feeling of well-being turning every coffee break into a mini-vacation from the stresses of life.

A symphony of neurotransmitters

Caffeine isn’t a soloist; it orchestrates a ballet of neurotransmitters. Norepinephrine and acetylcholine join in the dance, improving alertness, focus, and mood. This symphony of chemicals elevates your cognitive state, preparing you to face the day with greater awareness and vigor.

Antioxidants: the guardians of the brain

In addition to the immediate burst of energy, your cup of coffee is packed with antioxidants . These unsung heroes fight oxidative stress and inflammation, protecting brain cells from damage. Each sip is not just a fleeting pleasure; it is a long-term investment in cognitive health.

GABA: The surprise twist

As if that weren’t enough, caffeine provides a final, unexpected flourish by reducing the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). GABA is the neurotransmitter that tells the brain to relax. By moderating its influence, caffeine ensures that you are not just awake, but alive with vibrant energy and heightened neural activity.

So, the next time you enjoy that magical moment with your coffee, remember: it’s not just a morning ritual. It’s a carefully choreographed dance of chemical reactions, a science-backed journey to a better mood and a sharper mind. Here’s to your cup of happiness and the vibrant life it fuels.

*The texts published by Insiders and Columnists do not necessarily reflect the opinion of CNN Viagem & Gastronomia.

About Caio Tucunduva

A civil engineer, Caio Tucunduva is also a specialist and master in sustainability from the University of São Paulo. He fell in love with the world of coffee when the wave of specialty coffees was starting to appear in Brazil – a trend he had already observed abroad, after all, he has always been aware of gastronomic trends. Already a specialist in hospitality, Caio, having decided to pursue this area, began taking courses at Senac in barista and bar and restaurant management.

He then trained as a coffee taster and classifier. He also became a roasting master, took courses with great masters and coffee experts. With all this experience, he went to Australia to offer consultancy on Brazilian coffee roasting and, of course, learned new techniques, such as blending green coffee, one of Caio’s trademarks today. Attentive and creative, he developed a very interesting technique for maturing specialty coffees in wood and distillates. Today, he regularly travels the country looking for good producers.