Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world, valued not only for its aroma but also for its stimulating properties that help us survive intense days. At the same time, our individual personality traits, including the level of neuroticism, can significantly affect how our body responds to caffeine. The latest scientific research provides fascinating insights into the complex relationship between coffee consumption and neuroticism.
Coffee and its Impact on Brain Function
Scientific studies are providing more and more evidence of how coffee affects our brain. According to a study published in the journal Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience in 2023, coffee consumption leads to noticeable changes in brain function.
Researchers showed that after drinking coffee, there is an increase in connections between brain regions, which can be seen through magnetic resonance imaging. Moreover, the study demonstrated that coffee, not just caffeine, affects connectivity in areas involved in working memory, cognitive control, and goal-directed behavior.
Another study conducted at the University of California, Irvine, led by neurologist Michael Yassa, proved that coffee improves long-term memory. This is particularly important in the context of cognitive abilities and work performance.
It is also worth noting that after consuming coffee, higher readiness to transition from resting mode to active mode was observed, which may be a key factor for people struggling with procrastination or difficulty starting tasks.
Neuroticism as a Personality Trait – The BFAS Model
Neuroticism is one of the fundamental personality traits in the Big Five model, which also includes extraversion, openness to experience, agreeableness, and conscientiousness. Neurotic individuals tend to experience intense negative emotions such as anxiety, anger, sadness, guilt, or shame.
In the BFAS (Big Five Aspect Scale) model, neuroticism is divided into two key subdimensions:
Withdrawal
The first subdimension of neuroticism is related to a tendency to experience anxiety, worry, and depression. Individuals with high levels of withdrawal tend to:
- Excessively worry about the future
- Experience anxiety in social situations
- Have low self-esteem
- Be prone to depression and gloom
Volatility
The second subdimension involves emotional instability, irritability, and explosiveness. Individuals with high levels of volatility:
- Get easily upset and irritated
- Experience sudden mood changes
- Can react explosively to stressors
- Have difficulty regulating emotions in stressful situations
It is important to note that according to research, neurotic individuals also possess positive traits, such as well-developed emotional intelligence and empathy, which allows them to better understand the emotional states of others.
Coffee and Neuroticism – A Complex Relationship
The relationship between coffee consumption and neuroticism is complex and may depend on many factors. A study published in Nature in 2021 showed that habitual coffee drinkers exhibited decreased functional connectivity in the somatosensory and limbic networks during rest. This is particularly important since the limbic system is responsible for emotional regulation.
Interestingly, the same study showed that regular coffee drinkers reported higher levels of stress compared to non-coffee drinkers, and increased caffeine intake was associated with increased anxiety levels in men.
Earlier studies suggested that individuals with high neuroticism consume less coffee when stressed. However, more recent research indicates that contemporary students may drink coffee to improve cognitive functions even in stressful situations.
The Impact of Coffee Depending on Stress and Neuroticism Levels
Neurotic Individuals in Stressful Situations
For individuals with high levels of neuroticism, particularly those with a dominant withdrawal subdimension, coffee can potentially exacerbate anxiety symptoms. As research shows, coffee is a strong stimulant that causes the release of adrenaline. While this is desired in many situations, excess adrenaline can lead to tension and stress.
Neurotic individuals, who are already prone to anxiety, may experience even stronger anxiety reactions after drinking coffee, especially in stressful situations. This can even lead to panic attacks, characterized by shortness of breath, sweating, and sudden stress.
Neurotic Individuals Without Stress
In neutral, non-stressful conditions, the impact of coffee on neurotic individuals may be more balanced. Coffee may enhance cognitive functions, memory, and concentration, which can be particularly beneficial for those with high withdrawal tendencies who tend to worry and become distracted.
Non-Neurotic Individuals in Stressful Situations
Studies show an interesting gender difference. For women with low neuroticism, coffee may be helpful in stressful situations. In contrast, for men, coffee may impair memory and slow decision-making processes in stressful moments.
Non-Neurotic Individuals Without Stress
For emotionally stable individuals, in the absence of stress, coffee primarily offers cognitive benefits. It increases alertness, improves concentration, and work efficiency, and also supports long-term memory.
Practical Examples and Implications
Example 1: Morning Coffee Ritual
Anna, an individual with high neuroticism and a dominant volatility subdimension, noticed that drinking coffee in peace as part of a relaxing ritual improves her mood and prepares her for the day. However, the same coffee, consumed in a rush on her way to an important meeting, increases her anxiety and irritability.
Practical Conclusion: Neurotic individuals may benefit from drinking coffee in calm, structured environments, avoiding it in already stressful situations.
Example 2: Coffee During Increased Stress
Marek, a programmer with low neuroticism, noticed that during tight deadlines, he increases his coffee intake, which initially improves his productivity. However, after reaching a certain threshold (about 4 cups per day), he starts experiencing symptoms similar to those of neurotic individuals: anxiety, sleep problems, and irritability.
Practical Conclusion: Even individuals with low neuroticism should monitor their coffee intake, especially during periods of increased stress.
Example 3: Coffee as an Emotional Regulation Tool
Karolina, an individual with high neuroticism and a dominant withdrawal subdimension, discovered that a small amount of coffee (one cup) helps her overcome the overwhelming feeling and reluctance to act in the morning. She also avoids drinking coffee in the afternoon as it may disrupt her sleep and increase anxiety.
Practical Conclusion: Neurotic individuals can experiment with the timing and amount of coffee they consume to find the optimal balance between cognitive benefits and potential anxiety increase.
Conclusions and Recommendations
The relationship between coffee consumption and neuroticism is highly individualized and depends on many factors, including the dominant subdimension of neuroticism, current stress levels, and individual caffeine tolerance.
Individuals with high neuroticism should be particularly aware of the impact of coffee on their well-being and may consider:
- Limiting coffee consumption in already stressful situations
- Drinking coffee as part of a calm ritual, not in a rush
- Monitoring the effects of different amounts and timings of coffee consumption
- Considering lower-caffeine alternatives, such as green tea
At the same time, one should not forget about the potential cognitive benefits that coffee can bring to everyone, regardless of their level of neuroticism, such as improving memory, concentration, and overall work performance.
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