Coffee against stress

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One appointment after the other, a sick child, a broken car - many people are constantly electrified. The constant stress is not only annoying, it is also bad for your health. But apparently the tension can be relieved with one simple means - coffee. At least that is what an international study suggests.

Researchers led by Professor Christa Müller from the University of Bonn were able to show that caffeine alleviates typical stress symptoms such as forgetfulness, fears and depressive moods in mice. The scientists gave chronically stressed mice caffeine (one gram per liter, which corresponds to around three to four cups of coffee in humans) or a caffeine-like synthetic active ingredient in the drinking water every day. The scientists developed this especially for the study.

In contrast to stressed mice that only received normal drinking water, these mice showed significantly fewer symptoms of stress: "In general, it was shown that caffeine inhibited the increase in the stress hormone cortisol in the blood," Müller told In addition, the mice performed significantly better in the memory test, were less depressed and not as anxious. In addition, they had a normal brain metabolism compared to the control group. "The caffeine and its synthetic relatives helped both preventively and therapeutically," says Müller.

Caffeine blocks the stress receptors

But why does caffeine slow down the stress cascade? Caffeine and its synthetic cousin block what are known as adenosine A2A receptors. Under stress, the body forms more of these docking points - if the corresponding signal molecules bind, the known stress symptoms arise. "If the gene that codes for the A2A receptor was muted in the mice or if the receptor was blocked by caffeine or specific A2A inhibitors, the symptoms subsided due to the persistent stress," reports Müller.

Synthetic caffeine achieved particularly good results: “The substance is very similar to caffeine, but it has fewer side effects. Because it only blocks the A2A receptors and has a much stronger effect on the stress mechanisms than caffeine, ”explains Müller. Even very small amounts therefore achieve positive effects.

Intuitive reaching for coffee

What is new is the realization that coffee does not actually help against stress: Many people use this mechanism intuitively. When they are busy and their nerves are on edge, drink more coffee or tea. "Because both drinks contain caffeine, this is something like self-treatment for those affected," says Müller. The consumption of caffeine in higher doses is associated with side effects, but there is nothing wrong with a couple of cups of coffee or tea daily for otherwise healthy people. "Stressed people should drink coffee or tea," recommends Müller. Three to four cups a day is enough. "But of course only if the effects can be transferred from animals to humans."

The researcher is certain: caffeine could be a new starting point for the development of new stress therapies. However, the extent to which it can be used for the general treatment of stress symptoms must first be shown in further studies, adds the pharmacist.

Caffeine - the pick-me-up

Caffeine is a so-called xanthine alkaloid and is found in various plants. It works on the central nervous system by blocking certain adenosine receptors. Adenosine is a messenger substance that regulates brain activity and functions, among other things, as a drowsiness signal. If caffeine attaches to the receptors, the wakeful state can be maintained.

Sources:

Kaster M.P. et al. : Caffeine acts through neuronal adenosine A2A receptors to prevent mood and memory dysfunction triggered by chronic stress. Proceedings of the national Academy of Science of the United States of America (PNAS). doi: 10.1073 / pnas.1423088112

Press release from the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn from June 9th, 2015

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