Caffeine only provides a temporary boost to the nervous system. As a result, people with depression may experience a more severe drop in their mood once the effects of the stimulant wear off. People with depression should only consume caffeine in moderation.
Depression often comes with constant fatigue and exhaustion, so energy drinks often appear as a temporary solution. However, they do more harm than good; the combination of caffeine, sugar, and artificial sweeteners can cause increased cardiac rhythm and sleep disruptions.
But new research presented at this year's International Early Psychosis Association meeting shows that the beverage contains a crucial additive to ease depressive episodes. Taurine, an amino acid, is used in a number of foods and drinks.
Acute effects of energy drink consumption on mood
For instance, double-blind trials have shown benefits of energy drinks compared to placebo in relation to well-being, vitality, and social extrovertedness,22 depression and anxiety,21 and in improving or maintaining mood under fatiguing or cognitively demanding tasks.
Along with the caffeine and ingredients such as ginseng, epinephrine, and guarana, they can simultaneously cause the release of pleasure-reward neurotransmitters and stress neurotransmitters. As Woolsey explains it, energy drinks essentially simulate both a pleasurable and high-stress experience, at the same time.
Due to high levels of caffeine and sugar, there can be adverse psychological effects of energy drinks on your mind. It is best to limit your use of these caffeinated cans as much as possible. They are incredibly damaging to your body and detrimental to your mental wellness.
“Caffeine and other stimulants cause anxiety by mimicking our natural symptoms of anxiety, such as a fast heartbeat, racing thoughts and poor focus. If you're someone who already has anxious tendencies, these symptoms can be exacerbated by caffeine.
In addition, research suggests that caffeine causes increased turnover of several feel-good neurotransmitters, including serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline — all of which are involved in depression. These effects may also help explain why caffeine acts as a mild antidepressant for many people.
The time your caffeine level peaks in your bloodstream. You'll feel more alert as the stimulent starts to affect you, improving not only concentration but how alert you are. All of the caffeine is fully absorbed, your liver also responds by absorbing more sugar into the bloodstream.
Some people drink alcohol to try to help them feel better, but for people who struggle with anxiety or depression, alcohol usually makes these feelings more intense. This can lead to a vicious cycle of feeling bad, drinking to feel better, and then feeling worse.
Foods high in zinc
Studies indicate that people with depression may have lower levels of zinc in their blood, compared with people who don't have the condition. Increasing zinc is believed to improve mood stability, which can help boost your energy.
Coffee contains caffeine, which is a stimulant that can boost mood and energy levels. The caffeine in coffee works by increasing the levels of certain chemicals in the brain, such as dopamine and norepinephrine, which can lead to feelings of happiness and euphoria.
Studies have shown that people who drink coffee are 20 percent less likely to become depressed, and 53 percent less likely to die by suicide. One of the reasons is that caffeine causes your body to increase the level of dopamine in your brain, which is the chemical that causes you to feel happy.
Because caffeine acts as a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant, people usually take it to feel more alert and energetic. Caffeine can improve mood and help people feel more productive. It is believed to work by blocking the neurotransmitter adenosine's receptors, increasing excitability in the brain.
Green Tea
Many of us drink a cup of coffee first thing in the morning, but tea may be a better option. While it is usually less caffeinated than coffee, a single cup contains more health benefits. Green tea has naturally high levels of l-theanine, which is an amino acid many people take for anxiety.
One of the clear reasons is because anxiety rushes the body with adrenaline, which is the body's way of creating extra energy. That adrenaline is normally released to keep you safe from harm - for example, getting the kind of energy you need to run away from a predator.
Energy drinks may enhance alertness and improve reaction time, but they may also reduce steadiness of the hands. The amounts of caffeine in energy drinks vary widely, and the actual caffeine content may not be identified easily. Some energy drinks are marketed as beverages and others as dietary supplements.
Energy drinks are loaded with sugar. One typical energy drink contains 54 g to 62 g of added sugar. For reference, The American Heart Association recommends that women have about 24 g of added sugar per day and men 36 g of added sugar daily. So, just one energy drink can exceed that amount.