Caffeine gives you energy
We all probably know that caffeine makes you feel more energized. This is because when caffeine has entered the bloodstream, it stimulates our central nervous system. Your body then produces the substance epinephrine, better known as adrenaline. Epinephrine is the hormone responsible for improving performance, allowing you to sustain efforts longer. It also changes your perception of exercises. The performance seems to feel less strenuous than it actually is. But what if that workout is actually quite heavy, and you need to be able to provide continuous energy? Here's how you can easily reduce this stress.
Chewing works to reduce stress
Erik Scherder, professor of neuropsychology, explains : ""It's incredibly good that there have been many studies on chewing. Actually, chewing is almost the same as walking. Your heart rate goes up slightly, which in turn is important for blood flow to your brain. On the inside of your brain, lies the hippocampus. This is essential for your memory and learning new things. Chewing improves the blood flow and function of your brain. In turn, the hippocampus inhibits other areas of the brain such as the hypothalamus; the regulatory center that controls your hormonal system. Imagine you are experiencing stress. Stress activates the hypothalamus and, through the adrenal glands, produces the stress hormone cortisol. Cortisol occupies the receptors on the hippocampus, making it active and in turn inhibiting the hypothalamus. This causes cortisol production to cease. So you actually have a self-regulating stress mechanism in your body, Wonderful!""
""But now suppose you have chronic stress, constantly and every day. Then the hippocampus can't handle it anymore, so the inhibition goes away. You can then have many problems and end up in a negative spiral. The beauty is that chewing leads to activation of the hippocampus and so well helps to better regulate stress.""
Caffeine makes you happier
If you've ever wondered why you usually feel better after drinking a cup of coffee or taking FIRST, the answer may surprise you. Caffeine increases the production of the ""feel-good"" neurotransmitter in your brain known as dopamine. But, dopamine is not only responsible for experiencing pleasure and happiness, it also plays a crucial role in emotional and mental health and is associated with motor control, motivation and desire. So basically, caffeine just makes you a slightly happier person ;).