The Impact of Caffeine on Anxiety Levels and Stress Responses - a literature review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12775/JEHS.2025.81.59947Keywords
caffeine, anxiety, stress, stress response, mental healthAbstract
Introduction and Purpose:
Caffeine is one of the most widely consumed stimulants worldwide, primarily due to its stimulating properties. However, its effects on mental health, particularly in relation to anxiety and stress responses, remain a subject of debate. This study aims to analyze the mechanisms through which caffeine affects the nervous system and assess its impact on anxiety levels and physiological responses to stress. Additionally, it discusses individual differences in caffeine metabolism and their implications for tolerance to this compound.
State of Knowledge:
Previous research indicates that caffeine modulates nervous system function by affecting neurotransmission, particularly by increasing the release of dopamine, noradrenaline, and serotonin. Evidence suggests that caffeine’s effects can be both beneficial and detrimental, depending on the dose consumed, individual genetic predispositions (such as polymorphisms in the ADORA2A and CYP1A2 genes), and the presence of anxiety disorders.
Conclusion:
The findings of this review suggest that caffeine can exert both positive and negative effects on mental health. Dosage, individual metabolic differences, and genetic predispositions strongly influence these effects. Further research is necessary to precisely determine the conditions under which caffeine consumption is safe and when it may contribute to heightened anxiety and stress.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Karolina Knychalska, Jakub Sikora, Mikołaj Łabuda, Klaudia Królikowska, Aleksandra Słojewska, Agata Kotkowiak, Teresa Sowińska, Oliwia Mentel, Adrianna Bogucka , Agnieszka Szema
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