Does caffeine cure some “sadness/depressed” symptoms?

[u/Loni_Persimmon]

I don’t have diagnosed depression or anything like that.

I’ve just liked caffeine since I was younger(not loved it and I’d effortlessly quit for months at a time). I’d have energy drinks while gaming cause I liked feeling awake energetic, especially to socialise. Anyways, over time I’ve learned that caffeine doesn’t just make you feel less tired, it affects dopamine too right? Basically meaning if you’re doing something you enjoy, you’ll enjoy it more. I’ve definitely felt this.

Now this brings me to my other point. Days like today, there’s been some longer term stuff that have been in my thoughts and I didn’t really have much to do today or to look forward to. I was also feeling a little isolated. I have friends and loved ones, so I KNOW for sure these feelings will pass and it’s a cycle. But something hit me, I didn’t have any caffeine for a couple days. And tonight, some of that ambiguous sadness that I am sure will was there for some reason.

I was to point out, I did have some and I’m feeling better, and also found something else to focus on, I’m not venting and there’s no need for anyone to worry.
So genuinely think to yourself, do you relate? And am I onto something or no?

[u/quincecharming]

I get hella depressed without caffeine. I’ve tried to quit it many times and it just seems like a more or less harmless necessity in my life.

It causes dopamine release, so I believe that’s the mechanism why

I also relate though to random sadness/loneliness feelings that I can’t explain, even with caffeine

[u/Loni_Persimmon → u/quincecharming]

It is odd when that shit creeps up isn’t it? Haha, apart from the caffeine factor I’ve noticed it’s maybe one or all 3 of these things: not having something you’re looking forward to in the next couple days(even something small), and not currently working on something you want, long term circumstance stuff.

BUT… there’s also times when we have all the same factors, even if it’s a bad memories and we feel great. Which means there’s other stuff at play ofc, whether that’s the gut or caffeine etc.

Just felt like yappin about this a bit, ty 🤣

[u/Tabasco_Red → u/Loni_Persimmon]

Noticed that when it creeps in and I still feel "fine", it is not that I actulaly feel fine I still feel bummed but I can tolerate, I dont feel like escaping or running away from it, its like feeling at peace with it and even wanting to listen, entertain it and understand it

Its that sort of moment I feel tense/anxious but I dont force myself to relax

[u/Siukslinis_acc → u/quincecharming]

Congratulations, you are addicted to caffeine.

[u/snarffle]

Caffeine does this to me. If I am feeling just a little low a cup of coffee will make me feel better.

[u/SpamEater007 → u/snarffle]

Same here.

[u/KTKittentoes]

Caffeine kind of stretches out the Vyvanse a bit.

[u/EthosUnharvestedClay]

Caffeine withdrawal symptoms can be pretty brutal depending on the person from what I know.

Though personally, I've never experienced anything like that. I used to drink Coke a lot and was able to stop and I haven't felt more depressed -- just had a few days of feeling really tired. I do still drink a bit of caffeine with tea these days, but A) it's not nearly as much as what I was having and B) natural caffeine in tea is different than artificial caffeine in sodas and energy drinks. Obviously you still should be careful.

I've also heard that it affects people with autism and ADHD differently to others. I'm autistic and I never really felt the caffeine "highs" that people talk about. If anything if I have too much caffeine it makes me sleepy lol

[u/Journey_of_Design]

Dopamine is a complex thing, that we are just now getting solid research on to understand better than decades past.

But what we do have seems to point to this: Your body treats Dopamine like an arc: fast and slow arcs, more specifically.

Fast Dopamine like caffeine, alcohol, cocaine, arguing online, checking your phone for updates etc creates a strong spike followed by a crash. The spike comes with energy and elevated mood, but then the crash creates a depression of absence. This is part of what makes caffeine addiction harder to break, since you feel the crash and then take more caffeine to combat it.

Slow Dopamine is the stuff like delayed gratification, physical activities that create something and you feel a sense of pride, accomplishment, eating healthy, getting good sleep, etc. It takes a lot longer for this Dopamine to build up in your system, but it also hangs around much much longer.

The Dopamine itself doesn't change, but how we interact with it and hold onto it does, based on how we achieve the Dopamine.

So yes, Caffeine can help elevate your mood. But chances are it is also contributing to a depressed state at baseline.

Here is a good summary of what I'm talking about.

[u/Conscious-villager]

No, but if you regularly drink caffeine you can develop a kind of codependency so your body might feel withdrawal when you haven't had it in some time which could include a decrease in dopamine.

[u/playr_4]

Yes and no....and it really depends lerson to person. Caffeine is my lifeblood in tje sense that I have a tea every morning and a coffee every afternoon. But my social side even relies on it. My afternoon coffee run is so dependent on who's working that day. I know the days that my regular baristas are working and it fuels my social side (outiside of work). It really is an escape from the working life, even if it's less than half an hour. The walk, the community, the vibe....it's a necessary escape for me.

[u/kirayur]

I'm sure that's one reason for that. Bur pretty sure there are much more possible reasons, depending on life situations and mindset.

[u/anguishedangels]

Coffee is my comfort drink and I never drink it for caffeine itself since I have a high tolerance and started since I was young. I would say it does affect people differently and that can be withdrawal symptoms. I simply love the taste and I do find myself indulging in the ritual of going to new coffee shops to talk to people or taking a moment to self reflect and enjoy the present moment.

[u/prodigyluis]

No

[u/Ok_Temporary1669]

I have inattentive type ADHD but I have never been medicated. I'm not a "caffeine addict" to the extent that I could never quit... I had to pretty much quit when pregnant and it always OKish, even if it causes some headaches and tiredness. But I do think maybe I love coffee so much because of my ADHD and it's one way that I sort of self medicate it. I tend to slow way down by the afternoon, so that makes some sense. ADHD causes issues with dopamine and norepinephrine balance, which also affect serotonin to a degree. I don't think the connection is a crazy one to make at all.

[u/Artistic-Village-762]

I’m a much happier person with caffeine and no it’s not just about withdrawals.

[u/GoslingV]

No