Many people enjoy their first cup of coffee in the morning, making it a pleasant experience.

However, for some anxious people, it might feel the opposite. Caffeine, found in coffee, tea, energy drinks, and some medicines, can make you feel awake and energetic, but it can also raise anxiety for some individuals.

In this blog, we explore - ‘does caffeine affect anxiety?’, drawing on expert insights from Dr. Vivek Pratap Singh, a renowned psychiatrist in Patna with over a decade of experience at Pratap’s Neuro & Child Psychiatry Center.

Backed by recent research and Dr. Singh’s expertise, we’ll uncover how caffeine impacts your mind and body, offering practical guidance for managing anxiety effectively.

How Does Caffeine Affect Anxiety?

Caffeine inhibits the effects of adenosine, a relaxing and sleep-promoting chemical in the brain.

This, in turn, leads to an increase in the levels of dopamine and adrenaline and the resultant alertness. While one might think that all sounds great, it does not work in people's favor who are susceptible to anxiety.

The answer to the question of does caffeine affects anxiety, then, is yes, especially at high doses or in an individual with an anxiety disorder.

Caffeine sets one's "fight-or-flight" response into motion with symptoms that include:

• Racing heart

• Jitteriness

• Irritability

• Restlessness

• Panic attacks

People with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, panic disorder, or social anxiety find caffeine more stimulating.

So, if you have been wondering, does caffeine make anxiety worse?—Evidence points to an unbroken association.

The Link Between Anxiety and Caffeine: What Science Says

One needs a view with an intention to physiology and psychology while studying the anxiety-caffeine interrelationship.

Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, which intensifies anxiety symptoms. It also renders the body less efficient in regulating stress hormones, most importantly cortisol.

The high intake of caffeine, published in some psychiatric journals, can mimic the symptoms of anxiety disorders or make them worse for those diagnosed with them.

Coffee, even in minimal doses, is enough to create intense discomfort amongst people with panic disorders. Caffeine seems to give these poor sufferers effects for much longer while in a slower metabolism.

So, if you are asking, "How long does caffeine anxiety last?"Depending on your state of mind, it could last anywhere from four or five hours to one full day, so when you have deadlines, it becomes a question of how long you have been waiting.

What To Do: How to Get Rid of Anxiety After Drinking Coffee

You're not alone in feeling anxiety or overwhelmed after your daily fix. So, how to get rid of anxiety after drinking coffee?

Here are some of the things you can try:

• Hydrate: Water will help flush the caffeine out, or just be good hydration.

• Get moving: Something like walking or deep breathing to relax the nervous system.

• Eat: A good snack will absorb some of the caffeine in the bloodstream.

• Mindfulness: Many grounding or meditative practices act as some kind of anchor into the present and help clear away racing thoughts in one's mind.

• Avoid stimulants: Sugar, nicotine, caffeine!

In any case, remember: calmness is a temporary side effect, so maybe even prepare yourself mentally for the time caffeine anxiety will take to go away.

Should You Avoid Coffee if You Have Anxiety or Depression?

Each responds differently to caffeine. Some people with anxiety tolerate perfectly fine amounts of coffee; others feel their symptoms are exacerbated by it.

Whether coffee is good for anxiety and depression depends on one's personal experiences connected to his or her mental condition.

A moderate amount of caffeine (usually less than 200 mg/day) may generally be considered safe for most.

Once diagnosed with anxiety, depression, or panic disorder, you might want to:

• Decrease caffeine intake

• Go for decaffeinated beverages or green tea (less caffeine content)

• Keep track of symptoms and see if there are any patterns tied to the consumption of coffee.

Exactly how much impact does caffeine have on someone with anxiety?

That is going to depend on his or her threshold.

Highly sensitive individuals might be fostered anxious after a single cup, while those somewhat insensitive might feel anxious only upon ingesting several.

Conclusion

Caffeine may not essentially be a poison, but it does nevertheless have a powerful effect on the brain and nervous system.

People with anxiety disorders have a very important link between caffeine and worsening symptoms.

So now: does caffeine cause anxiety? Yes, indeed, in persons who might be sensitive to its effects or in those are already have an anxiety disorder.

Dr. Vivek Pratap Singh, the top psychiatrist in Patna, emphasizes the importance of moderation and self-awareness when consuming caffeine, especially for those with anxiety disorders.

Knowing caffeine's interaction with anxiety and recognizing when its effects unfold may help maintain one's mental well-being and allow for the inculcation of a life relatively free of stress.

If you feel anxiety rising after a cup of coffee, then maybe you want to avoid it or at least limit it.

Otherwise, smoother negotiation lies between anxiety and caffeine is best guided by your own body.

FAQs

1. Can Coffee Cause Anxiety Hours Later?

Yes, indeed. The caffeine in the coffee generally stays present in the bloodstream for a time of six to ten hours, depending on one's sensitivity or metabolism. An aftereffect of taking too little coffee would only aggravate or extend a so-called anxiety attack.

2. How Much Does Caffeine Affect Anxiety?

Even the smallest dose could trigger anxiety in highly susceptible persons. Usually, 200 to 300 mg of caffeine is harmful to symptoms, but it varies from person to person.

3. Is Coffee Good For Anxiety And Depression?

In the short run, caffeine acts as a slight and temporary mood enhancer. In the long run, however, it is usually far more detrimental to anxiety. Many times, caffeine may help types of depression, but in most instances, it must be avoided or reduced during anxiety.