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In-depth analysis: How much does caffeine affect mood disorders?
Caffeine is almost everywhere in people's daily lives, from a cup of fragrant coffee in the morning to tea in the afternoon, everyone can feel its refreshing effect. However, the potential impact of excessive caffeine consumption on mental health is often overlooked. Studies have found that caffeine can not only affect psychological state, but may also cause additional harm to people who already suffer from mental illness.
Understanding Mental Illness
Psychosis is a group of symptoms affecting the mind, accompanied by a loss of reality. During a psychotic episode, an individual's thoughts and perceptions become disrupted, making it impossible to distinguish between reality and fiction. This mental state can be caused by a variety of mental illnesses (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder), physical illnesses (e.g., Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease), or certain substances (e.g., stimulants).
Caffeine use and its risks
According to statistics, 85% of the U.S. population consumes caffeine in some way every day. Common sources of caffeine include fresh coffee, instant coffee, tea, soda and chocolate. Research shows that the average caffeine intake is as follows:
Brewed Coffee - 100 mg/6 oz Serving
Instant coffee - 65 mg
Tea - 40 mg
Soda - 35 mg
Chocolate - 5 mg
The average daily caffeine intake of the general population is approximately 210 mg, while people with a higher caffeine tolerance may consume more than 500 mg per day. It is worth noting that approximately 80% of schizophrenia patients are daily smokers, which may increase their caffeine consumption. To combat the dullness or sluggishness caused by psychotropic medications, many people with schizophrenia choose to increase their caffeine intake.
At the same time, some schizophrenia patients also have polydipsia, which causes them to consume caffeine more frequently than normal people. Studies have shown that caffeine may exacerbate symptoms of schizophrenia, such as restlessness, insomnia, incoherent speech and agitation. Furthermore, CYP1A2, a key enzyme in caffeine metabolism, may also interact with a variety of psychiatric drugs, which requires patients to be more cautious in controlling their caffeine intake when taking antipsychotic drugs.
Studies have shown that caffeine intake should be limited to less than 250 mg per day to maintain cognitive performance in patients with schizophrenia.
Treatment and prevention
There is a report of a 47-year-old man who developed chronic caffeine-induced psychosis due to high caffeine intake. After reducing his caffeine intake, he was able to achieve symptom relief within seven weeks without the need for antipsychotic medication. For those schizophrenia patients who are addicted to caffeine, the appropriate treatment is to gradually reduce caffeine intake rather than abruptly stop it. Because withdrawal from some medications may worsen the side effects of existing psychiatric or mood disorders.
For those who do not have a psychotic disorder but who consume too much caffeine, doctors may prescribe antipsychotic medications to help alleviate the effects of the psychosis. For people who already have a psychotic illness, it is best to gradually limit caffeine intake while continuing to use antipsychotic medications.
The effects of caffeine on mental health are certainly worth taking seriously, especially in our modern world where it is a common occurrence. Should we re-examine our caffeine habits to ensure they are not posing a potential threat to our mental health?
