How Does Coffee Cause Anxiety? Caffeine And Anxiety

Coffee is one of the highest consumed beverages. People usually drink coffee to start their day, to help them stay awake, and to get more energy to get work done. Similar is the case with energy drinks. But one question prevails: How do these drinks work exactly?

The answer is that both these beverages have a common component called caffeine.

Caffeine - How Does It Work?

Caffeine, a stimulant, plays a crucial role in enhancing our energy levels. It stimulates our nervous system, signaling the brain and body that we need more energy to tackle our tasks.

Biologically, we have special receptors in our brain that handle when we feel tired and energized. These receptors bind with a chemical called adenosine, which sends out the message that we are exhausted, which is why we usually fall asleep. When we ingest caffeine in any form, the caffeine stops adenosine from binding with the receptors, ultimately letting the brain know that we are still energized.

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Caffeine Products - That We Consume on Regular Basis

Caffeine is found in multiple products. Some of the products that we consume regularly are listed below:

• Coffee
• Tea
• Cocoa beans
• Chocolate (Dark and Milk)
• Decaf coffee
• Energy Drinks
• Soft Drinks

Now, let’s understand what anxiety is and how caffeine is connected with it.

Anxiety - What Is It?

Anxiety is the body’s physical and mental response to a perceived threat. We often say that we feel anxious when in a stressful situation. It is because we perceive that situation as dangerous. This perception triggers our body's 'fight-or-flight response,' a natural reaction that prepares our body for a potential threat by increasing our heart rate, making us more alert and ready to react quickly.

The physical manifestation of anxiety can look like the following symptoms:

• Restlessness
• Cold sweats
• Increased heart rate
• Feeling of congestion in the throat or chest
• Irritability
• Hypervigilance
• Racing thoughts
• Tremors
• Nausea
• Insomnia

What Could Be The Relationship Between Caffeine And Anxiety?

When we ingest caffeine, our body receives a surge of 'energy,' which can manifest as symptoms similar to anxiety. This knowledge can help us make informed choices about our caffeine intake and be more aware of its potential effects on our mental health.

When we ingest caffeine, our body gets ‘energy.’ This energy can be seen in excitement, restlessness, insomnia, nervousness, increased heart rate, and sometimes sweating. Do notice that these symptoms look similar to the ones we discussed under anxiety.

Caffeine Anxiety is a type of anxiety that a person experiences when they have consumed caffeine. What caffeine does to one’s body is that it activates, in a fair amount, the same processes that are activated in a person who experiences anxiety. However, 'caffeine anxiety' is distinct from 'regular anxiety' in that it is triggered by caffeine consumption and can be avoided by limiting or avoiding caffeine intake.

To avoid this, people who are diagnosed with anxiety or have consistent feelings of anxiousness are advised to refrain from drinking beverages that contain caffeine. Although the World Health Organization (WHO) has suggested that an average adult can have 2-4 cups of coffee daily, it's important to note that this recommendation is based on general population health and may not apply to individuals with specific health conditions or sensitivities to caffeine.

Each person's tolerance for caffeine is unique. Some may function well with just one cup of coffee, while others may need several. Monitoring your caffeine intake and understanding your tolerance level is important to avoid experiencing severe symptoms.

Positive And Negative Effects of Caffeine

There are several advantages and disadvantages of consuming caffeine. Some of them, which are not limited to or exclusive of, are mentioned below:

Positive Effects:

• Increases energy
• Helps improve gut health
• Aids in weight loss
• Enhances brain functions
• Reduces risk of heart disease

Negative Effects:

• Can lead to reduced sleep or insomnia
• Increased headaches or migraines
• Increased urination
• High blood pressure
• Can lead to constipation or diarrhea

Conclusion

Overall, it is always beneficial to know the pros and cons of the product that many love and consume. It is a cardinal rule that overdoing anything will lead to unfavourable consequences. Hence, now that we know the effects of caffeine and how we can gauge the amount of coffee we can have for our benefit, we can make informed choices regarding our intake and strive for better physical and mental health.