Does coffee make my anxiety worse?
Caffeine, the world's sacred drug of choice, my favorite psychoactive compound and powerful nootropic (a compound used to enhance memory or other cognitive functions).
Caffeine is very familiar to all of us, but it is still considered a nootropic. This is because it is a psychoactive stimulant that creates a noticeable effect on cognition, most markedly affecting alertness, mood and even memory recall.
It works by blocking adenosine receptors, which boosts neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) like adrenaline, serotonin and dopamine. Adenosine promotes and maintains sleep, as well as regulates our energy. This is what provides its stimulant effect that we know so well.
We love our coffee and caffeinated drinks, and it is important to know exactly what this compound is doing in our bodies.
When it comes to caffeine, there are pros and cons to its consumption:
PROS
Improves short-term alertness
Improves short-term mood
Improves short term memory recall
Improves short term reaction time
Protects the brain long-term
Boosts brain-derived neurotrophic factor (miracle grow for your brain)
CONS
May increase heart rate, jitters, anxiety, blood pressure
Indirectly affects cortisol regulation
May cause sleep disturbances depending on dose timing and your personal caffeine metabolism
May be addictive
Has a diuretic effect
May produce a come down effect
It is not safe for everyone to consume since metabolism rates vary drastically person to person
Something to keep in mind is that caffeine on an empty stomach can cause an increase in stomach acid and damage to the intestinal lining. Try to drink a glass of water and eat before consuming caffeine.
Specifically to reduce the anxiety effects of caffeine, opt to eat some protein and fat before consuming your coffee. A great protein to incorporate with your caffeine is collagen.
Collagen is an easily digestible protein source that helps slow the absorption of caffeine. This helps reduce those jittery, anxiety affects you might get from your caffeine or coffee.
I prefer to get my caffeine bundled in potent antioxidants aka strong (organic, shade-grown) black coffee. There are lots of options to get caffeine from teas, food or pure caffeine capsules. Please just avoid highly processed versions of caffeine like 5 hour energy or Monster.
If you experience jitters or anxiety with caffeine consumption, green tea or matcha is a better option. Those naturally include caffeine and L-Theanine, which modulates those negative effects.
Our practitioners are extensively trained in health and wellness from a holistic, functional and mind body approach. We give our clients the knowledge, tools and skills to listen to the way their bodies respond to different foods and compounds like caffeine.
To learn more about our one-on-one holistic NeuroNutrition counseling with Functional Diagnostic Nutritionist and Brain Health coach, visit our NeuroNutrition program page.
We can’t wait to help you on your journey to learn your body’s signals and optimize your health!
