States and cities are finally starting to open up, but we still have be socially distant and can’t do everything we used to. The isolation and the lack of entertainment options could have you feeling a little lower than usual. Without the ability to hang out with friends, visit your favorite park and do what normally cheers you up, there is another option to help be your pick-me-up: caffeine.

Studies have shown that caffeine can boost your mood and fight the feelings of boredom. Sound too good to be true? Well, let’s get technical for a minute.

How Caffeine Works

Caffeine is a natural stimulant, which means it helps boost central nervous system activity when you need it. Caffeine blocks the effects of adenosine, the organic compound that tells your brain to relax and go to sleep. The same way caffeine fights fatigue, it also boosts your mood. While adenosine is blocked, that leaves more room for dopamine to have its effect. That means your brain receives more happy signals, thus boosting your mood.

In plain English, that means in addition giving you more energy, caffeine can put you in a better mood. And since we’re all experiencing the fallout from Covid-19 in one form or another some good feels can go a long way these days.

Next time you’re feeling like you don’t have the energy to make it through the day and you need something to put you a in better mood, reach for some caffeine pills and let nature’s most popular energy supplement do its thing.