The caffeine alternative: How your coffee habit might mimic cutting-edge depression treatment Groundbreaking research identifies adenosine signaling as a critical mechanism for mood regulation, targeted by fast-acting antidepressants. Caffeine, the world’s most consumed psychoactive substance, works by blocking these same adenosine receptors, creating a similar initial effect. This creates a potential paradigm where caffeine consumption may stimulate the brain’s own motivational neurochemicals, acting as a natural antidepressant. The discovery opens avenues for understanding caffeine’s role as a widespread, self-administered therapy for boosting alertness and motivation. Researchers call for a re-evaluation of caffeine’s long-term role in mental wellness and its potential to reduce the…