Submitted Question: Can caffeine make you more tired? 

We often turn to caffeine for a much-needed boost, whether it’s powering through the afternoon slump or kick-starting the day.

The question we're going to attempt to answer in this post is can caffeine actually make you more tired?

The answer is yes—it can, and the reasons behind it might not be what you expect.

• Caffeine blocks the effects of adenosine
  So your brain isn't registering how tired you are...until it wears off and you get "catch up" tiredness. 
• Afternoon Circadian Dip + The Wearing Off Effect
  Your body naturally experiences energy fluctuations throughout the day. If caffeine runs out around the same time as your natural energy dip—like the afternoon slump—you'll get a double whammy of exhaustion, leaving you feeling even more depleted and draggy.
• Metabolic Effects
  Maybe caffeine isn't solely responsible for your tiredness after all. Maybe it's the stuff you're putting with your coffee or tea. Anything that raises blood sugar fast and high is going to raise insulin levels too. This peak - and the subsequent fall - can be enough to make you feel like you need a nap regardless of how much stimulating caffeine you've just consumed. 

Hot Tip: If you're looking for something cozy to drink without risking a caffeine crash or insulin spike, consider bone broth.
While I only have experience with homemade versions, I hear it's supposed to be high in protein which means it won't mess with blood sugar levels like most of the other standard options for hot beverages (unless you like your coffee or tea all by itself). 

For a more elaborate answer, check out the video below

• How (we think) caffeine works to disrupt the action of adenosine in the brain, and 
• Why adenosine receptors can be thought of as a parking lot.