Caffeine and Depression, Beneficial & Harmful Effects

What’s The Connection Between Caffeine and Depression?

Caffeine is a stimulant that may be found in coffee and tea, as well as other foods and beverages. It gives you a burst of energy. According to research, caffeine can be helpful and harmful to people suffering from depression. One science-based clinical trial found that coffee and caffeine consumption were significantly associated with decreased risk of depression. [1] In this article, we will look at both the beneficial and harmful effects of coffee on persons who are depressed.

Depression affects millions of people throughout the U.S. The severity of depression symptoms varies from person to person. Some of the most common symptoms of depression include having little interest in activities that used to bring you pleasure, difficulty concentrating, and a lack of energy. People diagnosed with clinical depression experience symptoms for at least two weeks. 

Caffeine may help relieve symptoms of depression, but it may also make symptoms worse. More research is needed to confirm the influence of caffeine on depression and other mood disorders, but with the help of mental health treatment, you can manage your depression.

Depression Disorder Statistics

A 10-year study found a connection between lower risks for suicide and caffeinated coffee consumption. Nonetheless, depression and risks for suicide are severe disorders that need proper care and treatment. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, major depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the United States. For some individuals, major depression can result in severe impairments that interfere with or limit one’s ability to carry out major life activities. [3]

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Depression and Caffeine Side Effects

Depending on your body’s sensitivity to caffeine, your symptoms might be more challenging to manage. If you decide to cut back on caffeine, these symptoms may also appear as your body goes through caffeine withdrawal depression. Too much caffeine can lead you to feel the following:

Does Caffeine Cause Depression Symptoms?

Caffeine has become a staple among working adults and students looking for energy to push through with their jobs or studies. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers four regular-sized cups of coffee as generally safe. However, drinking coffee can produce side effects like symptoms of depression, restlessness, a rapid heartbeat, and insomnia.

Drinking more than four cups of coffee daily can increase these adverse effects. Some people report having symptoms like heightened anxiety, headaches, and agitation. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), used to assess and diagnose mental disorders, calls it “coffee intoxication.”

One of the most severe symptoms of depression is wanting to harm yourself or commit suicide. If you have this overwhelming feeling, seek immediate help. If you have depression, make an appointment to see a mental health professional. They can help you find a treatment plan. Symptoms of depression include:

• Feelings of constant panic
• Regular feelings of sadness
• Feeling as though you are a failure
• Inability to focus and follow through
• Difficulty sleeping or staying asleep
• Feelings of hopelessness
• Sudden change in eating habits that includes a dramatic weight loss or weight gain
• Lack of interest in things you used to enjoy
• Feeling overly tired
• Unexplained aches and pains
• Regular thoughts of death

Depression is a cyclical disorder, meaning the symptoms can come and go. It’s crucial to see a mental health professional so that you can be properly diagnosed and receive the care you need.

Some foods and beverages people with depression should try to avoid when looking to counter the effects of the condition. One of the main foods to avoid is refined sugar. Whether a person stirs it into their hot drink or eats it in a candy bar, refined sugar excites them immediately.

After the rush passes, however, people may feel depleted and lower mood than before they consumed the sugar. Other foods [5] that people with a high risk of depression should minimize or avoid include the following:

• Artificial Sweeteners: A 2019 review found a link between using artificial sweeteners and an increased risk of depression.
• Processed Food: Ready meals and packaged food have the same effect as sugar. Manufacturers often load these foods with salt and preservatives. A 2019 cohort study of Spanish students found that those who consumed ultra-processed foods had the highest risk of depression, mainly if they did not engage in much physical activity.
• Hydrogenated Oils – Present in deep-fried food, fast food, and french fries. A 2019 study in mice found that the animals exhibited depression-like behaviors after exposure to a high-fat diet.
• Alcohol: This is a depressant of the central nervous system. Consuming too much alcohol can lead to dependency and cause a hangover, significantly affecting a person’s mood.

Caffeine Depression Possible Risks

Not all studies agree that caffeine for depression only has positive effects. Heavy coffee consumption and a high intake of caffeine can result in side effects such as:

• Anxiety
• Headaches
• Increased blood pressure
• Palpitations
• Nausea
• Restlessness

Can caffeine cause depression? Yes. Caffeine depressant effects can cause agitation, tremors, nervousness, and sleeplessness. All of these symptoms can impair mood. These symptoms are similar to those of the body’s “fight-or-flight” mode. This is the body’s natural response to high adrenalin or potentially threatening situations. Stimulant substances also trigger this reaction. If a person triggers this response too often by consuming excessive amounts of caffeine, it could increase anxiety levels.

Worsening Depression and Anxiety Symptoms

Several studies have also shown a connection between coffee intake and an increase in depression. According to one 2014 review in the journal Rivista di Psichiatria, caffeine consumption could make depression worse in people who already have mood disorders. The review highlighted a tendency toward increased anxiety, especially in people with postpartum depression and among those prone to panic attacks. [6]

Caffeine Withdrawal

Withdrawal from caffeine causes mild to clinically significant distress and impaired normal functioning. The severity of symptoms varies from individual to individual and most commonly include the following:

• Headache
• Fatigue
• Decreased energy/activeness
• Decreased alertness
• Drowsiness
• Depressed mood
• Difficulty concentrating
• Irritability
• Feeling foggy/not clearheaded.

The severity of symptoms varies from mild to extreme. The incidence or severity of symptoms increased with increases in the daily dose. Still, abstinence from low doses, such as about a tiny cup of coffee daily, can also produce withdrawal symptoms.

Popular Caffeine and Anxiety Depression FAQs

Depression Disorder Mental Health Treatment

Does caffeine help depression? Yes. Caffeine may temporarily help some people with depression improve their mood. However, it may also make symptoms worse. Never self-medicate depression, and speak with a mental health professional to determine whether or not caffeinated drinks, such as coffee or caffeine supplements, benefit your condition.