Adenosine (腺苷) is a neurotransmitter that promotes a person’s need to sleep.
- The build-up of adenosine accumulates the longer we’re awake during the day
- An increase in adenosine induces a sense of sleepiness/drowsiness (sleep drive/pressure)
When you sleep: Adenosine → APT (“energy currency”)
When you are awake: APT → Adenosine
