Abstract
Caffeine is the most frequently consumed psychoactive substance in the world. Despite its safety, caffeine consumption has been linked to negative consequences on mood. Here, we describe the effects of caffeine consumption on anxiety-related behaviors. These effects are dependent of several factors such as tolerance, genetic polymorphism, mental health status, sex, and age. Special attention will be paid to the effects of caffeine during pregnancy and adolescence. This chapter also addresses mechanisms associated with the effects of caffeine on anxiety, which are, at least in part, mediated by adenosine receptors. Polymorphisms in genes controlling the expression of these receptors have been implicated in susceptibility to anxiety caused by caffeine consumption. Caffeine use and anxiety in patients with mental disorders will also be addressed. The issues that have already been identified regarding caffeine effects on anxiety recommends moderation in its consumption and should guide policy formulation by drug/food regulatory agencies.
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Abbreviations
- A1R:
-
Adenosine receptor A1
- A2R:
-
Adenosine receptor A2
- BDNF:
-
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor
- BNST:
-
Bed nucleus of stria terminalis
- CPA:
-
N6-Cyclopentyladenosine
- CREB:
-
cAMP-response element-binding protein
- DASS-21:
-
Self-reported Depression Anxiety Stress Scale
- ED:
-
Energy drinks
- fMRI:
-
Functional magnetic resonance imaging
- GABA:
-
γ-aminobutyric acid
- GAD-7:
-
Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale
- GFP:
-
Green fluorescent protein
- HPA:
-
Hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal
- MC4:
-
Melanocortin-4
- MEG:
-
Source-localized magnetoencephalography
- NPSR:
-
Neuropeptide S receptor
- PET:
-
Positron emission tomography
- POMS:
-
Profile of Mood States questionnaire
- PVN:
-
Paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus
- α-MSH:
-
Alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone
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Ribeiro-Carvalho, A., Dutra-Tavares, A.C., Filgueiras, C.C., Manhães, A.C., Abreu-Villaça, Y. (2022). Caffeine and Anxiety-Like Behavior. In: Patel, V.B., Preedy, V.R. (eds) Handbook of Substance Misuse and Addictions. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-92392-1_80
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