Caffeine remains the most socially acceptable drug in modern culture. Available in beverages, foods and over-the-counter supplements, this addictive stimulant promises to boost focus and energy but also comes with a list of adverse effects for the mind and body. Not only can caffeine influence mood and personality, but dependency can take a psychological toll as well. Luckily, the physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms prove mild, allowing users to flush caffeine from their daily habits within 24 hours.
Anxiety
Taking caffeine causes many people to feel more social and productive. However, for a minority of users, the stimulant provokes anxiety. Even for average users, more than 200mg of caffeine a day can induce anxiety and panic attacks, although for others 600mg is required to experience negative effects, according to the John Hopkins Medical Center. Those who prove prone to anxiety or have a diagnosed anxious disorder should limit the caffeine in their diets.
Irritability
Many chronic caffeine users also become more irritable than normal. While feeling grumpy before the "morning cup" has become an accepted social norm, for many the grumpiness never goes away. Individual differences play a big role in the psychological effects of caffeine, as well as gender. In general, men are more sensitive to caffeine than women, says MayoClinic.com.
Inability to Focus
Ordinarily, a small or moderate dose of caffeine in moderation can increase resistance to distraction and provide focus. Unfortunately, for many youth today, regular caffeine use may have implications in their reduced ability to focus during the day. In a 2009 study published in the journal "Pediatrics," researchers concluded that youth who stay up late and rely on caffeine during the day become more likely to feel excessive sleepiness at school, resulting in less alertness and more distractibility. These youth are also more likely to fall asleep using media devices, implicating technology habits as well as caffeine in an unhealthy pattern of regularly not getting enough sleep.
Psychological Addiction
Addiction may sound like a strong word to use for caffeine consumption, but caffeine users do exhibit classic withdrawal symptoms. Some common psychological effects include increased aggression, difficulty focusing, sluggishness, anxiety and even depression, says John Hopkins Medical Center: Symptoms can last 12 to 24 hours after the last dose of caffeine, says the American Heart Association. To reduce caffeine, try going without over the course of a weekend, or whenever job performance is not an issue, and then start a new morning routine at the beginning of the next week.
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