Dubai, August 18, 2025 (Qahwa World) – A new scientific study published in Scientific Reports has revealed that the morning cup of coffee does more than increase alertness: it significantly enhances positive mood, making people feel happier and more enthusiastic in the early hours of the day. Conducted by researchers from Bielefeld University in Germany and the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom, the study provides strong evidence that caffeine is closely linked to improved well-being, particularly in the morning.
The research tracked 236 adult participants across two separate studies.
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The first study involved 115 participants over 14 days, resulting in 8,335 individual mood assessments.
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The second study involved 121 participants over 28 days, generating nearly 19,960 assessments.
Using the Experience Sampling Method (ESM), participants were asked to record their mood seven times a day on their smartphones. They also noted whether they had consumed a caffeinated drink in the previous 90 minutes.
Key Findings
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Caffeine consumption was strongly associated with higher positive mood (happiness, enthusiasm, and energy), especially during the first 2.5 hours after waking up.
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The impact on negative mood (feelings such as sadness, anger, or irritation) was minimal and less consistent.
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Results were consistent across different levels of caffeine intake and were not significantly affected by whether participants reported sleep disturbances, anxiety, or other psychological conditions.
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Researchers suggested that the morning effect could partly be due to reversal of mild overnight caffeine withdrawal symptoms, as even moderate consumers may wake up experiencing them.
Scientific Explanation
Caffeine improves mood through two main mechanisms:
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Blocking adenosine receptors in the brain, reducing drowsiness and boosting alertness.
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Stimulating dopamine production, a neurotransmitter known as the “happiness hormone,” which is linked to motivation and reward.
Professor Anu Realo, a co-author of the study, explained:
“Even moderate caffeine consumers may experience mild withdrawal symptoms that disappear with the first cup of coffee in the morning.”
Lead researcher Jostin Hachenberger added that caffeine’s mood-enhancing effect was largely independent of social or psychological factors but could be influenced by physical conditions, such as fatigue.
Critical Notes
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Since most participants were habitual caffeine consumers, the study could not determine how coffee might affect people who completely avoid caffeine.
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The findings do not support the claim that caffeine worsens anxiety; rather, the researchers noted that those who are sensitive to caffeine’s negative effects usually self-select out by avoiding it.
Global Context
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Approximately 80% of adults worldwide consume coffee or tea daily, highlighting the global significance of these findings.
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Interestingly, caffeine’s appeal is not limited to humans: previous studies have shown that bees and wasps are attracted to nectar containing caffeine, underlining its powerful influence in nature.
Conclusion
The study concludes that the morning cup of coffee is more than just a daily ritual. It has a scientifically measurable impact on enhancing positive mood and boosting emotional well-being, particularly in the hours after waking. While it may not significantly reduce negative emotions such as sadness or anger, its role in fostering happiness, enthusiasm, and energy makes coffee one of the most influential beverages in modern life.
