Categories: Dieting & Weight Loss

Caffeine for Depression: Drink Coffee

Coffee lovers of America, unite. The reason why you feel so good everyday and can accomplish the things you need to is your dear old friend, “Cup of Joe”. Millions of Americans everyday consume caffeine of some sort. Whether it is coffee, tea, soda, chocolate, or hot cocoa they all play a part in your caffeine consumption everyday.

Many non-morning people will not be able to function until they drink that first cup of coffee. Then the rest of the day, the only need is some refueling cups along the way. It is what keeps America going and America happy (well, somewhat).

Many have found that caffeine will actually help depression. Some who have become addicted to caffeine (which is a drug, if you did not know) cannot just stop drinking it because of negative side effects such as headaches, nausea and depression. Therefore, once they have gotten on the ball with caffeine it is hard to stop.

Look at Rachael Ray, she publicly tells her fans that she drinks tons of coffee a day to be alive like she is and be able to take on so many jobs. She even has done some ads for Dunkin Donuts since she is such a fan of their coffee.

So why it is that caffeine makes people happier and less depressed? Caffeine affects chemicals in the brain just like any other drug. Depression, for some, is due to chemicals imbalances of serotonin and dopamine. Caffeine sparks up neurotransmitters, serotonin and dopamine and makes them come alive. Neurotransmitters are what make nerve cells communicate and when they are affected by caffeine, they respond faster. Since they are able to act faster, the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine helps with short-term memory. Many find that when they drink coffee they become more alert and able to concentrate better and that is because of this process.

The benefits of drinking coffee are great. You can be awake, happy and get so much more work done than if you did not drink it. However, as we all know, nothing can be too good to be true. There are always disadvantages to everything.

Caffeine affects everyone differently. Some can drink coffee and not have any side effects what so ever (that they can feel day to day). However, some have many side effects, which bring up the issue of whether or not it is even worth drinking caffeine for the extra boost.

Some people develop jitters when they drink large amounts of caffeine. They become nervous or feel anxious. These symptoms sometimes disappear once the body becomes accustomed to the caffeine but some never get rid of it. There have been some studies on the impact of caffeine on panic attacks. It has been found that drinking caffeinated beverages will actually cause panic or anxiety attacks.

Caffeine will also dehydrate you since it is a diuretic. This is why you have to use the restroom so much when you drink coffee. It depletes your body of much needed water. Therefore, if you do not replace that water in your body with something, that does not contain caffeine, you could set yourself up for some health issues down the road.

Caffeine can also cause depression. I know, I have spent this whole time talking about how great it is for depression but now I am saying it could actually contribute to depression. Like I said before, caffeine affects people differently and it has been found that some actually feel more depressed when they drink very high levels of caffeine. The key words are high levels. What those high levels are, the studies have not found. My assumption is that the caffeine may be making those individuals feel anxious and then they may be feeling sick from being dehydrated so that makes them feel depressed.

Interestingly enough, caffeine depletes your body of the Vitamin B6. Those who have low Vitamin B6 levels are more likely to suffer from anxiety or depression. So that may be what is causing their depression and a simple supplement of Vitamin B6 might help with that.

If you are feeling depressed and lowering your caffeine intake does not do the trick, you should speak to your healthcare professional. Depression is a serious mental illness. To find out if you are experiencing symptoms of depression visit, Are You Or Someone You Know Depressed?.

It is no doubt that caffeine has its benefits. If it didn’t, the big name coffee chains would be out of business. I say if you are a big coffee drinker and it makes your life a little easier, then go right ahead. Life is about being happy and you need to do what it takes to get that way.

I actually fall into the category of feeling anxious and sick when I drink too much coffee. I am not a big person so it doesn’t take much to make me feel sick. I can’t say it ever made me feel depressed but it definitely gave me the jitters and a nervous stomach. As long as I take it easy and do not go overboard with it, then I fall right in there with everyone else, a very happy, productive and wired citizen.

Sources: http://www.usgyms.net/caffeine.htm
http://stresshelp.tripod.com/id7.html