The Coffeine, Serotonin and Dopamine conundrum
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Serotonin -> Dopamine antagonist -> Low energy
Dopamine -> Serotonin Antagonist
Coffeine -> Energy -> Flowstate -> High Dopamine -> Low Serotonin...however...
Coffeine -> Flowstate -> Overwork / Exhaustion -> Serotonin
How to work hard (creative/mental work) without becoming serotonergic from exhaustion?
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I struggle with this myself sometimes.
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Probably liver health? Upping those glycogen stores that coffee burns through, I believe most adrenal/cortisol issues happen when these stores are empty. This is probably the exhaustion and then serotonin surge you describe.
Taurine/TUDCA cycling has worked well for alot of people In regards to liver health. Alternatively just stop using coffee for now.
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It seems that...
Caffeine -> Physical work (Exercise) -> Mental work
...makes the mental work much less stressful than...
Caffeine -> Mental work