What is the first thing you do when you wake up? And why is it usually having a coffee?
Why do some people feel an immediate high, while others barely notice the difference? The answer is not just in the quality of the coffee, but also in your genes.
Coffee is one of the most consumed psychoactive substances in the world, but the way each body processes it is a purely genetic story.
The CYP1A2 gene determines your sensitivity (fast or slow metabolism)
The speed at which caffeine leaves your system is largely determined by a crucial enzyme in the liver, encoded by the CYP1A2 gene (Cytochrome P450 1A2).
- Fast metabolizers: Your enzyme breaks down caffeine quickly. For you, the phrase “caffeine doesn’t affect me” has a biological basis. You can drink coffee without problems, as its effects last for less time.
- Slow metabolizers: Your enzyme works more slowly. Caffeine remains in your body for more hours, prolonging its stimulating (and sometimes negative) effect. Knowing if you have a genetic caffeine sensitivity is vital to avoid nervousness or insomnia.
Tolerance and the effect caffeine produces are determined by the ADORA2A gene
Beyond the speed of metabolism, the ADORA2A gene (Adenosine Receptor A2A) influences how caffeine connects with your brain. This gene determines genetic caffeine tolerance by modulating the interaction with the receptors that regulate sleep and alertness.
The variation in this gene explains why a small dose can cause anxiety in one person, while another feels perfectly fine.
Practical advice
Knowledge of genetics and caffeine is not just a curiosity; it is a practical tool to improve your well-being and performance.
A genetic test that indicates your ideal caffeine consumption dose also offers keys on how it affects your mental and physical health.
- Avoid anxiety: If your body is slow at processing caffeine, excess can lead to nervousness. Do you want to know if caffeine is causing your restlessness?
- Optimise your training: Caffeine is a powerful ergogenic aid, but only if your body uses it well. Discover if your genetic pattern can boost your performance.
- Manage dependency: Genetic long-term caffeine consumption can lead to dependency. If you have noticed that coffee no longer has the same effect, explore how your genes manage caffeine dependency from prolonged consumption.
How does a genetic test help you?
Taking a caffeine metabolism genetic test with tellmeGen or a caffeine genetic test provides you with the definitive keys for your consumption.
Knowing if you are a fast or slow metabolizer transforms the coffee experience, moving from a blind habit to an informed choice.
Caffeine and genetics go hand in hand, are you ready to discover what your ideal dose is according to your DNA? Take a DNA test and find out.