Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant. When you consume substances that contain this stimulant, you can increase your body's output of a hormone called cortisol, which is produced in the adrenal glands located on top of your kidneys. In turn, increased cortisol production can alter your normal responses to stress and trigger symptoms similar to those found in cases of psychosis.
Caffeine Basics
Caffeine occurs naturally in substances that include tea, coffee, kola nuts and cacao beans. Man-made products with at least some caffeine content include cola-based soft drinks, chocolate and various types of nonprescription medicine. When you consume caffeine in moderation, its stimulating effects can boost your energy levels and give you a feeling of increased alertness. However, if you consume more caffeine than is commonly contained in about four cups of coffee, you can trigger a variety of unwanted side effects. Some of these effects stem from caffeine's effects on your cortisol levels.
Stress and Sleep Disturbances
The levels of cortisol in your system help regulate both your reactions to stress and the internal day/night cycle that tells you when to wake and sleep. The amount of caffeine consumed by the average coffee drinker is enough to trigger increased cortisol production, according to a study published in 2005 in "Psychosomatic Medicine." In turn, this increased production can potentially disrupt your sleep cycle or increase your perceived levels of stress. Habitual coffee drinkers experience some reduction in their cortisol-related responses. However, habitual caffeine consumption does not eliminate these responses.
Psychosis
Stress-related release of cortisol can potentially contribute to the onset of psychosis-like episodes, according to findings reported in 2009 by researchers at Durham University. During this study, researchers also evaluated caffeine's potential effects on psychosis-related symptoms. They concluded that caffeine intake has a significant positive relationship to perceived stress and a resulting tendency toward the onset of hallucinations. When stress is taken into account, they also concluded that an individual's levels of caffeine consumption can help predict the likelihood of developing hallucinations.
Considerations
To avoid any potential harmful effects related to use of caffeine, MayoClinic.com recommends that you monitor your daily caffeine consumption. Count the cups of coffee or tea you drink, check the caffeine content in the sodas you consume, read the labels of all other foods and beverages and the labels on pain relievers and other nonprescription medications. Be aware that some caffeine-containing products, including chocolate, don't list caffeine among their ingredients. If you drink four or more cups of coffee a day, gradually cut back your consumption to reduce your cortisol-related risks. If you drink tea, you can reduce its caffeine content by reducing its brewing time.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Caffeine; How Much Is Too Much? (Pages 1 and 2); March 9, 2011
- "Psychosomatic Medicine": Caffeine Stimulation of Cortisol Secretion Across the Waking Hours...; Lovato, Whitsett, et al.; 2005
- MedlinePlus: Cortisol Level
- Refdoc.fr: Caffeine, Stress and Proneness to Psychosis-Like Experiences...; Simon R. Jones, Charles Fernyhough; 2009
- MedlinePlus: Caffeine
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