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How does drinking caffeine affect serotonin levels in both the short- and long-term? Serotonin is one of the most important neurotransmitters in the brain for mood, feelings of contentment, calmness and sleep cycles.
When serotonin levels are not properly regulated, individuals may experience a number of different problems, ranging from insomnia, irritability, anxiousness to digestive issues.
Although the body controls the production of serotonin, environmental factors can also have an impact on how the neurotransmitter is produced and processed. Drinking coffee, tea and other caffeinated beverages can impact serotonin synthesis and function in the brain.
The relationship is multifaceted, but excess caffeine consumption can lead to serotonin depletion in the brain. Below is some information to help you understand the complex relationship between serotonin and caffeine.
Mood
Sleep
Weight Loss- Increases Serotonin levels in the brain
- Enhances mood and alleviates stress
- Improves sleep and regulates appetite
Top Serotonin Boosters* ❯Serotonin Deficiency and Caffeine
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Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that affects nearly every cell in the human brain, either directly or indirectly.
It is responsible for several essential functions in the body, including the regulation of appetite, sleep and mood. Serotonin also plays a role in learning, memory and certain social behaviors.
The relationship between caffeine and serotonin levels is complicated and multifaceted. The immediate effect of caffeine is to increase serotonin levels, which boosts your mood and causes you to feel more energetic.
However, once the caffeine is eliminated from your body, serotonin levels fall precipitously. In addition, caffeine actually inhibits the body’s ability to produce normal amounts of serotonin by inhibiting pathways involving some of the minerals and chemicals it needs to make the neurotransmitter.
This can lead to many uncomfortable symptoms and further cravings for caffeine. Some of the symptoms of serotonin depletion include:
- Craving sweets and starches
- Depression
- Tinnitus
- Aggressive behavior
- Anxiety
- Low self-esteem
- Hypervigilance
- Insomnia
- Problems with learning and memory
- Migraines
- Digestive problems
- High pain sensitivity
Caffeine and Serotonin Receptors
In addition to raising serotonin levels temporarily, consumption of caffeine may also increase the number of serotonin receptors in the brain by up to 30 percent.
Because of the increased number of receptors, the brain needs more serotonin to function normally. When caffeine is withdrawn, this phenomenon exacerbates the symptoms of serotonin depletion.
Caffeine and Serotonin Syndrome
Serotonin syndrome is a dangerous and potentially fatal condition that occurs when levels of serotonin become too high. Because of the connection between caffeine and serotonin depletion, it may make it seem like caffeine wouldn’t play a role in the development of this condition, but it can.
Caffeine’s immediate effect on the body is to increase serotonin production and the total number of serotonin receptors. When combined with another medication or substance that increases serotonin levels, such as a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI), serotonin syndrome can occur.
This is a rare condition, but may occur if multiple serotonergic drugs are combined together, especially at higher than recommended dosages.
If you think you are suffering from serotonin syndrome, immediate medical treatment is required. Some of the symptoms of serotonin syndrome may include:
- High fever
- Irregular heartbeat
- Seizures
- Loss of consciousness
- Goosebumps
- Shivering
- Muscle stiffness
- Twitching muscles
- Loss of coordination
- Heavy sweating
- Dilated pupils
- High blood pressure
- Rapid heart rate
- Confusion
- Restlessness
- Agitation
Avoiding Caffeine-Related Serotonin Spikes
In very rare cases, intake of caffeine may cause serotonin syndrome even when an individual has not taken any other medications or drugs that raise serotonin levels.
However, you can still reduce your risk of serotonin syndrome by avoiding substances known to increase serotonin levels when you are consuming caffeine. These substances include:
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
- Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
- St. John’s wort
- Nutmeg or ginseng supplements
- 5-HTP and L-Tryptophan supplements
- Bupropion
- Anti-nausea medications
- Over-the-counter cold and cough remedies that contain dextromethorphan
- Illicit drugs
- Lithium
- Pain medications
- Anti-migraine medications
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
- Tricyclic antidepressants
- Ritonavir
- Linezolid
Natural Alternatives for Raising Serotonin Levels
Caffeine provides a quick serotonin boost when you are feeling low, but the side effects of using caffeine for this purpose can be significant.
To avoid acute serotonin syndrome and/or the long-term effects of caffeine consumption on serotonin levels, many people choose to boost their serotonin levels naturally instead of attempting to cure low serotonin with caffeine.
Some of the natural methods people can use to raise their serotonin levels include:
- Engaging in mood-lifting activities – Some research studies have shown that improving your own mood with external changes can affect the production of serotonin in the brain. By participating in an activity you enjoy, you may be able to boost your serotonin levels without drugs.
- Avoiding substances that deplete serotonin – In some cases, your low serotonin levels may be caused by the consumption of alcohol, illicit drugs or other substances that deplete serotonin. Discontinuing these substances can boost serotonin levels naturally.
- Dietary changes – The body makes serotonin from L-tryptophan, an amino acid. By increasing your intake of L-tryptophan, you are providing your body with more of the building block it needs for serotonin. Foods that contain significant amounts of L-tryptophan include turkey, chicken, eggs, lentils, beans, oats, fish, red meat, tofu, nuts and seeds.
- Exposure to bright light – Research studies indicate that exposure to bright light may boost serotonin levels in the brain.
- Taking a serotonin supplement – Serotonin-boosting supplements, such as 5-HTP and L-tryptophan, give your body more of what it needs to make its own serotonin. Unlike caffeine, serotonin supplements are not habit forming and cause few side effects.
- Chen MD, Lin WH, Song YM, Lin PY, Ho LT. Effect of caffeine on the levels of brain serotonin and catecholamine in the genetically obese mice. Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi (Taipei). 1994.
- Shi D, Nikodijevi O, Jacobson K, Daly J. Chronic Caffeine Alters the Density of Adenosine, Adrenergic, Cholinergic, GABA, and Serotonin Receptors and Calcium Channels in Mouse Brain. Cell Mol Neurobiol. 1993.
- Frank C. Recognition and treatment of serotonin syndrome. Can Fam Physician. 2008.
Article last updated on: March 12th, 2018 by Nootriment
1 Comment
So, might it be necessary to “downregulate” serotonin transmitters, meaning one might actually have to deplete seroronine as much a spossible (e.g. by Beta-Alanine, I’ve heard) and suffer through the symptoms of serotonin depletion for several months? Have you ever heard of such a case, and that it helped? I’ve been given SSRIs for a time, my craving for coffee, which has always been pretty great, increased noticeably during that time. It’s dubitable how significant that was for it, but I’ve Akathisia since that time, which is sometimes listed as a symptom among serotonin syndrome (though more likely “restlessness”, agitation or restless-leg-syndrome) but is also an independent symptom from such treatments. I mean, if anything, my serotonin receptors might already have been pretty high when that started and increased even more during that time.