Can Coffee Cause Anxiety?

People have long drawn conclusions about Coffee and anxiety. But what is the science behind it? And is the answer the same for everyone who drinks too much of their morning cup of coffee? This is what we’ll be exploring in the following article, can coffee cause anxiety?, so please keep reading to find out the truth. We’ll back our claims with concrete evidence, enabling those living with anxiety to make the decision for themselves. 

Once you’ve learned the facts and figures, you can buy perfectly roasted Coffee from The Kent and Sussex Tea and Coffee Company. Alternatively, if you’d prefer to steer clear of the stuff after our article, you could try Loose Tea or a Tisane. No matter what you choose, rest assured that we pack our products fresh to order. Doing so ensures quality and consistency with every cuppa brewed.

Can Coffee Cause Anxiety?

It’s (almost) time to jump right into the reason you’re reading: Does Coffee cause anxiety and depression? Hold your horses, though, because anxiety isn’t the same as depression. The primary difference is that depression refers to a single condition - albeit one with varying symptoms. Anxiety, on the other hand, is a term that can have numerous meanings, from “feeling anxious” to a medical group of conditions. 

We’re here to focus on Coffee and anxiety, specifically, which is often characterised as experiencing worry, fear and nervousness over an extended period. Triggers include, but are not limited to, stressful events, life changes and being in danger. Some who live anxiety, however, will find it surfacing during ordinary, routine moments. Is drinking a cup of Coffee one such moment? 

It could be. This is primarily because of caffeine, a chemical compound in Coffee - and Tea - that serves as a stimulant when consumed. While it has its merits and health benefits, the constituent also comes with side effects in some instances. According to a 2005 study, excessive caffeine intake causes symptoms similar to psychiatric conditions such as anxiety and sleep disorders, as well as irritability and hostility. 

Furthermore, preliminary research from the Harvard Medical School, USA, found that caffeine mimics anxiety symptoms like nervousness, increased heart rate, gastrointestinal issues and more. The bottom line is that if you’ve had anxiety in the past, or if you currently live with it, Coffee could worsen the feelings associated with it. The next question is whether the same applies to Decaf Coffee.

Is Decaf Coffee Good for Anxiety?

Is Coffee bad for anxiety when it has undergone decaffeination? Allow us first to explain what’s behind the term. Decaffeination is where workers remove the vast majority of caffeine from the beans (or Tea leaves). It is an excellent choice for caffeine-sensitive individuals and those who’re pregnant. Additionally, and perhaps more importantly, it is an answer to Coffee Beans and anxiety.

There are no real surprises here: The simple fact that it’s almost entirely devoid of the stimulant means that the risks of it causing anxiety are lowered significantly. Just bear in mind that a trace amount of caffeine remains in Decaffeinated Coffee, no matter the method of decaffeination used. In other words, it could still exacerbate someone’s anxiety in the very rarest of circumstances.

Can Coffee Withdrawal Cause Anxiety?

It’s all fair and well talking about “Can too much Coffee cause anxiety?”, especially when the solution is to avoid the Effects of Caffeine. What remains somewhat more complicated is the question we’re about to address now: Can Coffee withdrawal cause anxiety? Coffee withdrawal is when the body becomes dependent on caffeine, usually after frequent consumption, and is then denied it.

The condition tends to occur after 12-24 hours of not consuming the substance, often leading to headaches, difficulty focusing, irritability, fatigue and, indeed, anxiety. Paradoxical though it might sound on the surface, sadly, it’s the reality of balancing between too much and too little caffeine when your body is used to it. Therefore, we’d recommend weaning yourself off it slowly rather than going “cold turkey”.

Summary

Coffee can cause anxiety due to its caffeine content. There is much less of a risk with Decaf Coffee, although it’s worth noting that a trace amount of the stimulant remains. Another potential issue in those living with anxiety is that caffeine withdrawal can likewise prompt anxious feelings. The trick is to find the right balance, which you can discover with The Kent and Sussex Tea and Coffee Company.    

Author: Richard Smith

Partner at The Kent and Sussex Tea and Coffee Company

Richard Smith is a Tea expert, entrepreneur, and owner of The Kent and Sussex Tea and Coffee Company. Part of a family of renowned Tea planters dating back four generations, he was born in Calcutta (Kolkata), India, where he spent his childhood between Tea Estates in Assam and Darjeeling.

In the late 1970s, having accumulated years of knowledge in the industry, Mr Smith and his mother, Janet Smith, moved to Kent, South East England, to establish a Tea business in the village of Pluckley. Their early days of packing Tea Bags by hand from chests of 10,000 prompted the creation of the company’s flagship infusion known as Pluckley Tea. It remains our most popular product today.

Mr Smith, who studied economics at London Polytechnic, has since specialised in over 1,000 types of Loose Leaf Tea - in addition to around 70 varieties of Roast Coffee - from around the world. These are now available at The Kent and Sussex Tea and Coffee Company, where everything is still packed by hand and fresh to order, not only to honour tradition but to ensure the utmost quality and consistency.