May 6, 2024

Caffeine addiction is real

Although caffeine produces effects similar to other drugs, may possibly not be identified by physicians as creating the same level of dependence, based on American University psychology professor Laura Juliano.

A recent study coauthored by Juliano and published within the Journal of Caffeine Research suggests evidence of people’s reliance on caffeine to the point that they suffer withdrawal symptoms, and are not able to reduce caffeine even when it could hinder another medical problem such as a pregnancy, heart problems, or perhaps a bleeding disorder.

Caffeine is easily the most widely used drug on the planet, and it is consumed every single day in the form of coffee, tea, chocolate, certain pain-killer, “energy drinks” and much more. But based on Juliano, health care professionals happen to be slow to recognize the results of caffeine dependence and the fact that certain cases demand treatment. The behavioral and physiological effects constitute an ailment called “Caffeine Use Disorder.”

“The negative effects of caffeine are often not acknowledged as such since it is a socially acceptable and widely consumed drug that’s well integrated into our customs and routines,” based on Juliano. “And while many people can consume caffeine without harm, for some it produces negative effects, physical dependence, disrupts daily functioning, and could be hard to give up, which are indications of problematic use.”

There continues to be some recent progress in recognizing the results of caffeine dependence. Last spring, the American Psychiatric Association officially identified Caffeine Use Disorder as a health concern looking for additional research within the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health disorders. Juliano’s study summarizes known data and outlines an idea for future research, calling for a need “to determine the reliability, validity, and prevalence of this clinically important health condition.”

“There is misconception that caffeine is not hard to give up. However, in population-based studies, more than 50 % of regular caffeine consumers are convinced that they have struggled quitting or reducing caffeine use,” Juliano said. “Genetics research may help us to better understand the effects of caffeine on health insurance and pregnancy as well as individual differences in caffeine consumption and sensitivity.”

Juliano advises that healthy adults should cap their caffeine intake at approximately 400 mg each day, that is equal to about 2 or 3 eight ounce glasses of coffee. Women that are pregnant and people along with other health problems should further limit their consumption.

Based on her behalf observations from the difficulty individuals have avoiding caffeine, Juliano proposes that a more structured approach, for example what’s practiced to limit use of other common drugs, may be necessary.

“Through our research, we’ve observed that people who have been not able to quit or reduce caffeine by themselves could be interested in receiving formal treatment – similar to the outside assistance people can look to if they wish to quit smoking or tobacco use,” she said.