Do you ever feel that coffee makes your anxiety level rise? You’re not the only one. #coffeeanxiety, #decafcoffeegirlie, and other #TikTok trends are filled with people who share their experiences of jitters and panic attacks caused by their daily coffee fix.
Is coffee really a trigger for anxiety? If so, could L-theanine be the answer?
Our experts weigh in. Ryan Sultan, MD at Integrative Psycho, explains that caffeine triggers the body’s fight-or flight response, which can cause anxiety symptoms.
Caffeine is the culprit, not coffee. Genetics also play a part. Around 5% of people have a genetic variant that makes them more sensitive towards caffeine, making them “slow caffeine metabolisms.” This means that caffeine stays in the system longer and increases anxiety.
It is also important to consider how much caffeine you consume. The FDA recommends 400mg of caffeine per day for adults (about 4-5 coffee cups). Individual sensitivity can vary. Even moderate amounts of caffeine can trigger anxiety symptoms in people who are prone to it.
As for L-theanine, which is popular for its supposed calming effect, experts such as Dr. Sultan and Astrid Nehrlig, PhD, an INSERM neuroscientist, say that there is not enough research supporting adding it to coffee. They recommend getting Ltheanine from tea or matcha.
How can you enjoy coffee without anxiety? Our experts have a few suggestions:
Reduce caffeine intake or switch to decaf.
Pair your coffee with a meal to reduce its impact.
Try Arabica coffee varieties that are lower in caffeine.
If your skin is particularly sensitive, you may want to switch to matcha or tea.
