eli5: Since caffeine doesn’t actually give you energy and only blocks the chemical that makes you sleepy, what causes the “jittery” feeling when you drink too much strong coffee?

Question

eli5: Since caffeine doesn’t actually give you energy and only blocks the chemical that makes you sleepy, what causes the “jittery” feeling when you drink too much strong coffee?

In: 5

Answer 1

> Since caffeine doesn’t actually give you energy

This statement is very misleading.

When I step on the gas pedal all the way to the floor, I don’t actually put more fuel in the fuel tank – I don’t give the car more energy. But the engine sure starts spinning like hell, using the energy already stored in the tank.

Same with caffeine. Yes, it doesn’t actually give you energy. But that’s not the main fact. You already have plenty of energy in your body. Caffeine only makes it easier for you to use the energy you already have. Its effects are similar to the effects of adrenaline – the fight-or-flight hormone.