Why your Monday cup of coffee feels so powerful: The science behind it

She has coffee every day, but somehow, that Monday morning cup of Joe just hits different. Dubai-based Melody Schmidt, a businesswoman, enjoys making a thorough ritual out of her morning coffee at the beginning of the coffee: If she gets it right, then she gets the whole day right too. “It might be too optimistic to say that the week will go well too, but I live for that optimism,” she says.

On the first day of the week, there’s a little fun around preparing the coffee: The beans, the hot water, taking out the favourite mug, and two digestive biscuits on a plate. And finally, voila. There’s the hot cup of coffee, with a delicious aroma that awakens her properly. “The sleepiness of the weekend does fade away, and I’m ready for the day,” she chuckles.

The comfort ritual that grounds you

Dubai-based Yvonne James, explains why this simple ritual might be the secret to lifting your Mondays out of misery. “The first day of the week begins with chaos,” she says. “There’s a lot happening—you’re running through to-do lists, frantically planning, getting the kids ready. In that swirl, a cup of coffee can become an anchor.”

Unlike the rushed midweek gulp or the lazy weekend brew, Monday’s coffee feels ceremonial. And that, says James, is key. “It’s a ritual that helps you feel in control. When Monday feels overwhelming, even the act of brewing coffee gives your brain a sense of predictability, which can calm a person."

That’s why so many people romanticise their Monday cup of joe. It’s not just the caffeine; it’s the pouring method, the frothy oat milk, even the slow walk to the café. “It’s not so much about the drink,” James adds, “But the pause it gives you, before life kicks in.”

Why the Monday coffee feels stronger: What science says

When you drink coffee, the caffeine blocks the brain chemical called adenosine, which is responsible for sleep. If you have had less coffee over the weekend, or slept in more, your brain might be in reset mode, making it more sensitive to adenosine again. 

So on Monday, when you go back to your regular caffeine routine, it blocks that adenosine more powerfully. The result is that you feel more, awake and refreshed. 

Research supports this too: A study published in Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior explains that regular caffeine intake leads to an increase in adenosine receptors, a process called upregulation. So when you skip caffeine for a bit, those extra receptors respond more dramatically the next time you drink it.

The catch: Why it can backfire

Be warned: That strong Monday cup be the kick you need, but it can also backfire if you drink it too fast or on an empty stomach.

When your body isn’t used to that full caffeine load, it may react with jitters, anxiety, or even a crash later in the day. That’s true if you’ve eased up on caffeine over the weekend and suddenly dive into a triple shot first thing on Monday.”

The magic and the science of coffee 

Sometimes, it’s not just the caffeine; it’s your expectations doing the work too.

A 2011 study from the University of East London found that participants who believed they were drinking caffeinated coffee performed better on attention tests—even if they were actually given decaf. Their belief in the caffeine's presence enhanced their performance. 

Another study published in Psychopharmacology demonstrated that participants who thought they consumed caffeine reported increased alertness and energy, even when they had only ingested decaf. This highlights how expectations can influence our perception of energy levels.

Why does this happen? “Our brains are wired to respond to expectations,” explains James. "If you associate the taste and ritual of coffee with increased alertness, your body can mimic that response—even without caffeine. And that’s the placebo effect.”