Does Coffee Addiction Exist? How A Lack Of Caffeine Affects Us
In which cases can caffeine be harmful to our health? Does coffee addiction really exist? How can this drink affect our mental health? Discover the consequences of consuming too much coffee.
The coffee addiction It means that people end up abusing caffeine over a period of time, which results in many negative effects that may not be well known. Although, on the one hand, coffee is associated with different benefits for our health, when it is abused too much the opposite situation can occur. Above all, these problems can end up involving difficulties that affect our mental health. But when could we consider that we suffer from a coffee addiction?
The caffeine It is the most consumed drug in the world. In many cases, coffee becomes problematic when it disrupts the lives of people who consume it because it creates dependence or is consumed in quantities that are potentially dangerous to health.
Although the caffeine or coffee addiction It is not a condition formally recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), it is recognized as causing an anxiety disorder or a sleep disorder. In fact, the effects that caffeine, consumed excessively, can have potentially harmful effects on our health have been studied. For example, there are correlations of caffeine with increased blood pressure and changes in heart rate.
Mainly, the excessive coffee consumption or the consequences of caffeine addiction It can end up causing people to have sleep problems, especially if consumed six hours before bedtime. In these cases, coffee can create dependency, since people will use it to perform during the day, further affecting rest at night. On the other hand, coffee consumed in excess can also be associated with a more nervous, mental and physical state, which is related to a greater probability of suffering from anxiety.
Symptoms of caffeine addiction
The caffeine It is a stimulating drink, so consuming it in excess can end up causing a series of symptoms associated with the stimulation of the brain and nervous system. These symptoms include the following:
Dizziness
Tremors
Headaches
Increased blood pressure
Nervousness
Rapid heartbeat
Sleep problems
This type of addiction can even overlap with other problems, such as work addiction, since many people use caffeine to be more productive. Furthermore, as in other addictions, the positive effects of caffeine can be sought by people to mask other problems such as lack of energy, depression, anxiety or to compensate for sleep disorders.
Symptoms of caffeine withdrawal
When you create a caffeine dependence, people may have problems eliminating it from their diet. That is, there are symptoms related to caffeine withdrawal, mainly the following:
Feeling very tired or sleepy
Decreased mental alertness or attention
Slower reaction time
Worsening performance or memory tasks
Additionally, in the most extreme cases, people who abstain from caffeine may also experience very flu-like symptoms, such as nausea and mood swings.
The stimulating effects of caffeine They can sometimes cause physical and mental symptoms that resemble different mental health conditions. In fact, caffeine intoxication produces symptoms closely related to anxiety disorders, as it worsens feelings of worry, causes racing thoughts, increases heart rate, and prevents relaxation and restful sleep. Additionally, caffeine can also intensify the following disorders or problems:
Panic disorders
Sleep disorders
Anxiety disorders
Migraine and other headaches
Nervousness and inability to concentrate on a specific task
How to deal with coffee addiction?
The caffeine addiction It not only means abusing coffee, but also ending up being dependent on this stimulating drink to better cope with life despite experiencing many negative effects. To deal with this situation, we recommend that you take the following into account:
Analyze the vicious cycle of addiction: This is usually the same cycle that happens with other addictive substances, and it makes people depend on caffeine to feel more energetic and be able to face the challenges of everyday life. It is completely normal for people to feel tired when they are giving up caffeine because our body has become accustomed to the energy boost that this drink brings.
Face the problem: On many occasions, people turn to caffeine to deal with different emotional problems, such as depression, anxiety or stress. Given this, it is important to go to a mental health professional.
Change your habits: Caffeine may be associated with unhealthy habits. For example, not exercising too much or having a poor diet. In these cases, it is important to try to change these habits to be able to deal with the symptoms of caffeine withdrawal.
Reduce consumption gradually: Instead of quitting caffeine abruptly, try cutting back gradually. One way to achieve this is by starting to drink decaffeinated coffee.
The caffeine addiction It is more common than we usually imagine. So, in many cases, coffee may be causing us more problems than we usually take into account. If you are too affected by caffeine, you may feel more jittery than normal or not be able to get a good rest.
