Coffee makes you happy - But why?

A hot cup of coffee in the morning as a "rest from the storm", a cup of coffee as a break from everyday life or a cup of coffee to recharge your batteries in the long working day – in these moments coffee certainly makes you happy! But how can coffee trigger such a feeling in us? The feelings of happiness that coffee activates can be recorded on two levels: the chemical processes in the body and the social significance of drinking coffee.

The chemical processes in the body

Adenosine is an endogenous messenger substance that is released as soon as energy is consumed by physical or mental work. This indicator of dwindling energy then triggers noticeable fatigue to protect brain cells from overwork. The caffeine contained in coffee blocks exactly these adenosine receptors in the body. This process allows happiness hormones such as dopamine to unfold their effect more intensively. By inhibiting adenosine and promoting dopamine, you ultimately feel fitter, more concentrated and also happier.

The social importance of drinking coffee

Coffee means community and this social aspect of drinking coffee is firmly anchored: it is not for nothing that you meet for coffee gossip, go for a coffee on a romantic date or enjoy a coffee together with your work colleagues during the meeting. Drinking coffee creates a relaxed and sociable atmosphere. Already at the end of the 19th century, literary figures in particular met in Viennese coffee houses to let their thoughts wander there and to exchange ideas. It is precisely this exchange with close acquaintances that makes you happy, and a cup of coffee creates an occasion to take time for it.