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Coffee and mental disorders: How caffeine affects anxiety and depression.

Progress in brain research
May 5, 2024
Morvarid Meamar et al. (4 authors)
Journal ArticleReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to examine caffeine's neurobiological effects, its influence on anxiety and depression, and its potential as an adjunct treatment in mental health.

Results Summary

Moderate caffeine consumption is safe and may benefit mental health, while excessive intake can worsen anxiety and psychiatric symptoms. The relationship between caffeine and depression is complex, with some studies suggesting a protective effect at moderate doses.

Population

Healthy adults and individuals predisposed to anxiety disorders.

Effective Dosage

Not specified (dose-dependent effects noted).

Duration

Not specified.

Interactions

None mentioned.

Extracted Claims (6)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
moderate caffeine consumption
increase
mental health
healthy adults
-
is safe and may offer benefits
#1
excessive caffeine intake
decrease
neurological and psychiatric health
-
-
is linked to adverse effects
#2
excessive caffeine intake
increase
symptoms
-
-
can aggravate symptoms
#3
high caffeine intake
increase
anxiety levels
individuals predisposed to anxiety disorders
-
correlates with elevated
#4
moderate caffeine intake
decrease
risk of depression
-
-
suggesting a potential protective effect
#5
caffeine consumption
no change
risk of depression
-
-
others find no significant association
#6
Abstract

Caffeine, the main psychoactive component in coffee, has garnered significant attention for its potential impact on the most prevalent mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. This chapter comprehensively examines the neurobiological effects of caffeine, its influence on anxiety and depression, and relevant clinical studies. Caffeine exerts its psychostimulant effects primarily through antagonizing adenosine receptors, modulating neurotransmitter systems, and influencing intracellular calcium signaling in the brain. Caffeine exhibits dose-dependent effects. While moderate caffeine consumption is safe in healthy adults and may offer benefits for mental health, excessive intake is linked to adverse effects on neurological and psychiatric health and can aggravate symptoms, highlighting the importance of adjusting consumption patterns. High caffeine intake correlates with elevated anxiety levels, especially in individuals predisposed to anxiety disorders. However, the relationship between caffeine consumption and the risk of depression is intricate, with some studies suggesting a potential protective effect of moderate intake, while others find no significant association. Individual variations in caffeine metabolism, sensitivity, and genetic factors considerably impact responses to caffeine. The chapter also explores the therapeutic potential of caffeine as an adjunct treatment and outlines challenges and future research directions in elucidating caffeine's multifaceted role in mental health.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
CaffeineHumansCoffeeDepressionAnxietyCentral Nervous System StimulantsAnimals
Study Links
Quality Scores
Safety75
Efficacy65/10
Quality80/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations1
Citations/Year1.0
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.05
Weight Score1.30
Normalized Score0.72
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Coffee and mental disorders: How caffeine affects anxiety an... | Panacea Index