Fact Check: Can consuming too much caffeine lead to signs of schizophrenia?

Hyderabad: A Facebook post is being widely circulated on social media claiming that consuming too much coffee while stressed can result in ‘schizophrenic-like symptoms.’

Similar posts can be seen here and here. The posts have garnered much attention with one of them being shared 18,000 times at the time of writing this article. The text in the post reads, “Consuming too much coffee while under a high amount of stress can cause you to experience schizophrenic-like symptoms.”

Fact Check

NewsMeter found that the claim is misleading.

We spoke to Dr Charan Teja Koganti, Neuropsychiatrist at KIMS hospital, Hyderabad to get a better idea about the effects of caffeine. He said while overconsumption of coffee can result in some distress, comparing it with schizophrenia is misleading.

“You can experience disorientation confusion, restlessness and panic attacks by drinking too much coffee,” he said.

He further added, “Caffeine is a stimulant for the brain. It increases metabolism giving the boost a body needs. However, in high doses, it can become addictive and cause unwanted effects. Only a low amount of caffeine can help improve fatigue. However, caffeine, if taken after 6 pm, might create insomnia and confusion. This might, in turn, worsen stress and lead to panic attacks and confusion. But schizophrenia is a serious disorder and you cannot compare these symptoms with mild short-term cognitive disturbances.”

What is schizophrenia?

A study explains schizophrenia as a serious mental illness that affects a person’s cognitive functioning. People with this mental condition struggle to deal with the real-world happenings. The person seems to be lost in the fictitious world they create in their heads which can be distressing for them, their family and friends. Effective treatment options are available. People who opt for on-time treatments can participate in daily activities and lead a healthy life.

What are the causes of schizophrenia?

According to the World Health Organisation, persistent delusions, persistent hallucinations, extreme agitation and negative symptoms such as limited speech, restricted experience and expression of emotion and social are key symptoms of people struggling with schizophrenia.

The WHO states that schizophrenia affects approximately 1,300 people worldwide. The main cause or reason behind schizophrenia is yet to be identified.

It is observed that interaction between genes and a range of environmental factors may contribute to schizophrenia. Also, psychosocial factors may affect the onset and course of schizophrenia. It should be noted that heavy use of cannabis is also associated with the disorder.

Hence, it is misleading to claim that caffeine is responsible for schizophrenic-like reactions.