brewing for mental wellness: the connection between coffee & mental health

There’s no denying that coffee helps us to kickstart our mornings or beat the afternoon slump. But did you know that it also has several hidden benefits, many of which aid our mental health?

So, when you say that coffee is keeping you sane, it’s actually true!

If you want to find out more about the connection between coffee and mental health and how we can use coffee as a tool for self-care and stress management, keep reading!

the comfort of routine

In the fast-paced world we live in, finding moments of calm can bring us comfort.

For many of us, comfort comes from routine and a sense of familiarity. The ritual of making a cup of coffee, whatever your process may be, has a lasting impact on your mental health.

If coffee is a part of your morning routine, you probably wake up and immediately think about brewing yourself the perfect cup to start your day. Everything from picking out your favorite cup to that mindful moment when you breathe in the earthy aroma brings a great deal of comfort, without us even realizing it.

The morning ritual we’ve created brings the perfect dose of familiarity to give us a little serotonin boost when we need it most.

a reduced risk of depression

According to a 2020 study by Dr Alan Leviton of Harvard University, research suggests that drinking coffee can reduce your risk of depression by approximately one-third.

The study revealed that coffee drinkers are significantly less likely to get depressed than those who don’t drink this beverage often.

Dr Leviton said that caffeine’s positive impact on mental health could relate to its “anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and microbiome-promoting properties, which are also associated with coffee drinkers’ reduced risk of developing certain cancers and chronic diseases.”

This study was the result of independent, smaller, peer-reviewed studies conducted on 300,000 people over the course of five years.

Blocking The “Sad” Chemicals

The caffeine found in coffee has the power to block mood-depressing chemicals in the brain.

Essentially, what happens is that caffeine stops the receptors in our brains from binding with adenosine, which can cause fatigue and depression.

According to studies, people who drink more coffee have higher doses of adenosine in their bloodstream as the chemical gets blocked from binding with their receptors.

In patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder, adenosine binding to receptors in the brain lowers the concentration of adenosine in the blood, resulting in more severe symptoms. With the addition of caffeine or coffee in their diets, there’s potential to help improve symptoms over a period of time.

Improved Gut Health Means Improved Mental Health

Coffee has a great impact on gut health, which in turn promotes mental health. It contains probiotics (microorganisms that improve the health of our gut) that have proven to lead to a decrease in depression. \

Certain components of coffee feed these microorganisms, which can enhance the creation of fatty acids and neurotransmitters.

Typically, in patients diagnosed with depression, these acids and transmitters are deficient, and studies have shown considerable evidence supporting the fact that microbiota in the gut can affect the occurrence of depression.

Coffee Can Fight Inflammation

A common occurrence in patients diagnosed with depression is higher blood levels of inflammation-related proteins.

Medications commonly used to treat depression, such as SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) act by lowering the blood concentrations of certain inflammation indicators. This raises the possibility that the therapeutic effects of antidepressants are in part due to their anti-inflammatory properties.

Caffeine Helps Reduce Oxidation

Studies have also shown that patients with depression have elevated levels of oxidative-stress indicators in their blood. People with symptoms of depression tend to have diets that are lower in antioxidants.

Coffee is one of the main sources of antioxidants in the diets of Americans, and with the addition of coffee, patients could benefit from lowered levels of stress indicators.

Taste Associations Improve Mood

Coffee lovers absolutely adore the taste of coffee, whatever their preferences may be. From Americanos to pumpkin spice lattes and other unique coffee options, everyone has their preferred pick-me-up drink.

Taking the time to sit and enjoy your coffee is not just a wonderful act of self-love, it can also have a great effect on your overall mood. When your coffee hits your tastebuds, a rush of brain activity will be activated that strongly links the delicious taste to the happy emotional points in your brain.

Self-Care With Coffee Made Simple

As you can see, coffee has several science-backed benefits, and taking advantage of these is as simple as grabbing yourself a cup.

If you want to use coffee as a stress-management tool, start your day off with a simple routine that involves relaxing and enjoying a cup.  

Thereafter, take one or two coffee breaks a day where you sit back and focus on enjoying the brew, allowing it to work its magic!

Angelica Hoover combines her interests in clean eating, taking care of her nieces and nephews, and journalism as a freelance writer and editor for health and family publications. She likes pour-over coffee, walking in nature, and green living.

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