If you’re like Lorelei Gilmore and need six cups of coffee just to jumpstart your day, the reason might be more internal than you think.
According to a new study published in Nature Scientific Reports, the gene PDSS2 could be regulating your body’s natural digestion of caffeine, making some people more sensitive to coffee while others can knock back cup after cup without the slightest twitch.
Directed by Nicola Pirastu at the University of Trieste, the study observed cultures known for their heavy coffee consumption. Coffee lovers from several small Italian villages and one group from the Netherlands volunteered to have their DNA analyzed for genetic variations. The study authors reported finding “a novel gene associated with coffee consumption,” adding that, “the identified gene has been shown to negatively regulate the expression of the caffeine metabolism genes and can thus be linked to coffee consumption.”
[quote position="left" is_quote="false"]With the Italians knocking back petite cups of strong espresso and the Dutch sipping filtered brews, the two groups’ caffeine levels probably leveled out.[/quote]
While the Italians drank a relatively modest two to three cups of coffee a day, the Dutch were more in the Gilmore range of up to six cups a day, the study reports. Though, as any true coffee aficionado knows, not all cups are created equal. With the Italians knocking back petite cups of strong espresso and the Dutch sipping filtered brews, the two groups’ caffeine levels probably leveled out.
Researchers found that those who drink less than their fellow villagers have certain “recessive mutations.” Those who drink more, on the other hand, “have a lower expression of PDSS2.” While other genes have been correlated with caffeine consumption, the activity of this specific gene could mean the difference between feeling chipper after one cup of coffee and needing several to keep you going through the day.
It’s safe to say 50-cup-a-day Balzac and notorious bean-counter Beethoven both had lower expressions of PDSS2. Whether that correlates with a higher expression of creativity and megalomania as well is another story.
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Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.