Anxiety is the most common issue that brings people into therapy.
Many of those experiencing anxiety also note that they consume at least 1 cup of coffee/caffeinated beverage a day.
When asked if they think that the amount of caffeine they consume influences their anxiety levels, often people report that the caffeine has little to no impact on their anxiety or sleep.
Caffeine is a stimulant which means that it creates a physiological response in the body that includes increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, elevated mood, suppressed appetite, and increased body temperature.
The positive effects of stimulants are also used in common weight-loss drugs and attention enhancing drugs like Ephedra and Ritalin (or now more commonly used, Adderall). That’s why those that use these drugs enjoy secondary benefits. For example, those that take Ephedra for weight loss also notice that it helps them be more focused and feel improved mood. It’s also why people who do not actually have ADD/ADHD receive a benefit from the stimulants like Adderall, which is why its use is so common as a recreational drug.