The day doesn’t truly begin until that first cup of coffee is in hand for a countless number of peoples. It’s ritual, comfort, and fuel! However, what does caffeine do to an injured brain?

According to a June 2025 article from Nutrients, a peer-reviewed journal that is also available on PubMed, research revealed that caffeine can function both as a neuroprotectant and a neurotoxin for those with a traumatic brain injury. Whether it can be a boon or a burden, hinges on dosage, timing, and context. At low-to-moderate amounts, such as a morning brew, caffeine may reduce TBI-associated inflammation, oxidative stress, and intracranial pressure, enhance alertness and reduce mental fatigue, critical for cognitive rehabilitation. On the other hand, in young people experiencing repetitive moderate TBI, it was found that caffeine consumption disrupts normal brain pruning processes. This can potentially lead to further neurological and behavioral impairments.

Adding to this complex connection, Neuropharmacology, a journal that focuses on research about neuroscience that can also be found on PubMed, published the findings of a 2026 University College London study about caffeine citrate, a medication used to treat a lack of breathing in premature babies: while intended to stimulate breathing centers, higher doses of caffeine citrate can result in toxicity. (However, it appears that the “babies” that were studied were piglets.)

The takeaway is similar to that of other treatment possibilities: your coffee habit may be doing your brain favors – or not – so caution is warranted.