9781422288047

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WHAT DOES CAFFEINE DO TO YOUR BRAIN?

The chemical in caffeine changes the way your brain works because it’s a lot like another chemical called adenosine. Adenosine is a brain chemical that causes drowsiness by slowing down nerve cell activ- ity. Receptors in your brain cells normally bind with adenosine—but when caffeine comes along, they bind with it instead. Now adenosine can’t do its job. Your nerve cells keep firing. You stay alert instead of getting sleepy.

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