Millions of Americans regularly enjoy a cup of coffee every single day. Coffee often serves as a way to wake up in the morning, get through the midday lull, or simply to enjoy. However, even though coffee can positively impact your day, it may not be the best beverage choice for those who struggle with anxiety. Knowing how coffee can affect anxiety can help you make more informed choices regarding your beverages throughout the day to keep anxiety symptoms at bay.
Does Caffeine Cause Anxiety?
When it comes to talking about drinking coffee and how it impacts anxiety, it is essential to understand that it is not actually coffee that is being discussed. Instead, it is the caffeine within the coffee. Caffeine is the main ingredient in the drink and is classified as a psychostimulant. This means it has the capacity and strength to stimulate your nervous system by increasing the speed of signals to your brain, raising your mood, alertness, and arousal. Ingesting caffeine can make you feel more awake and increase your blood pressure as well. However, a regular caffeine dose (up to 400 mg a day) shouldn’t cause too many negative side effects. Exceeding this amount can cause adverse effects, known as caffeine-induced anxiety.
Side Effects of Too Much Caffeine
You are more likely to experience severe anxiety symptoms after consuming caffeine if you have general anxiety or a generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). However, you can still experience caffeine-induced anxiety symptoms if you consume a large enough dose.
Symptoms you may experience include:
- Racing heartbeat
- Shakiness
- Excitability
- Irritability
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Trouble sleeping
- Nervousness
- Restlessness
- Problems with digestion
You may also feel anxiety symptoms due to caffeine withdrawal, which can be unpleasant, distressing, and overall challenging to deal with. For these reasons, it is essential to watch your caffeine consumption and talk to your doctor if you are experiencing anxiety symptoms due to caffeine intake.
It is no secret that Americans love coffee. Hot or cold, sweet or strong, no matter how the coffee comes, there will be people drinking it. However, many do not realize the adverse effects of coffee on their mental health, specifically concerning anxiety. While caffeine, the main ingredient in coffee, is the real culprit, it is essential to recognize the symptoms this psychostimulant causes to monitor your caffeine intake. If you ever need help with this or want to learn more about caffeine and anxiety, call Alta Loma Transformational Services today at (866) 457-3843.
