Caffeine Consumption Linked to Stimulant Use

BURLINGTON, Vt.Adolescents who consume caffeine-rich drinks such as coffee, energy drinks and soft drinks may have a higher risk of abusing drugs like cocaine and amphetamines, according to a new study published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence.

Researchers at the University of Vermont College of Medicine conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled study to examine responses to stimulants, an individuals subjective response to caffeine may predict how he or she will respond to other stimulant drugs, possibly reflecting differences in risk for abuse of other more serious drugs of abuse, such as amphetamine and cocaine.

They studied 22 people they classified as choosers" (of caffeine) and nonchoosers." The choosers" picked caffeine instead of placebo 7 out of 10 times; the nonchoosers" did exactly the opposite. Next, the participants were given different doses of d-amphetamine and asked to rate how much they liked the stimulant. When the researchers compared people who chose caffeine to the participants who did not, they found caffeine lovers liked the effect of d-amphetamine, especially in higher doses. Nonchoosers" reported they found amphetamine unpleasant.

People differ dramatically in how they respond to drugs," said Stacey Sigmon, Ph.D., associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Vermont College of Medicine. For example, a single dose of a drug can produce completely opposite effects in two people, with one absolutely loving and the other hating the drugs effects. It is important to improve our understanding of these differences, as they may reflect key individual differences in vulnerability or resilience for drug abuse.