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Does your daily cup of coffee affect your mental health?
In the 21st century, the public has become more aware of mental health disorders, a topic which had been shunned for decades. This has led to much research against coffee and its impact on anxiety and depression. There’s no denying that caffeine has special blocking receptors which aid in blocking our adenosine receptors that are responsible for initiating sleep. It has an immediate effect and keeps you alert for a long time. Adrenaline is also released during consumption. This is known to help in a fight or flight response, explaining its effect on anxiety.
Caffeine-induced anxiety causes panic attacks amongst patients with panic disorder as mentioned in the results of a study by General Hospital psychiatry. However, if you’re consuming 400 mg (4 cups) or less of caffeine a day, you've got nothing to worry about. Although there is no clear explanation for the link between depression and caffeine, rodent studies show the activation of a pathway which may lead to symptoms of depression.
As easy as the solution may seem, coffee addicts find it almost impossible to reduce their intake. Like any other addiction, caffeine users face severe withdrawal symptoms. The best way to eliminate caffeine would be to find alternatives which taste similar to coffee but don't take a toll on your mental health. Chicory coffee and matcha tea are recommended the most, they are delicious and have no significant side effects, except for those who are allergic to chicory. Gradually reducing the intake of coffee to 2 cups could also be a second option. Other good habits to follow would be to drink lots of water to cancel out the jittery effects of caffeine. Light exercise and meditation could help deal with anxiety caused by caffeine overdose.
To sum it all up, coffee is great as long as it's not taken in excess. If you notice any signs of anxiety it would be best to lower your intake or find a replacement. It is important to be mindful so consider that the next time you order a venti cappuccino at Starbucks!
- Dhrithi Karanth
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