Bipolar disorder

Caffeine use is higher in smokers and in adults with serious mental illness. How does this impact patients with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia?

[Involvement of adenosine in the neurobiology of schizophrenia and its therapeutic implications](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16580767/). [Trends in intake and sources of caffeine in the diets of US adults: 2001-2010](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25832334/). [Higher serum caffeine in smokers with schizophrenia compared to smoking controls](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20227198/). [Caffeine and nicotine: a review of their joint use and possible interactive effects in tobacco withdrawal](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7942243/). In regression analyses, age, race (Black), and diagnosis (schizophrenia or bipolar disorder) were significant predictors of blood caffeine levels. The primary sources of caffeine in participants were coffee and soda. Participants with bipolar disorder had the highest self-reported median daily caffeine intake (195 mg/day), followed by participants with schizophrenia (155 mg) and controls (132 mg). Caffeine intake is high in some patients with serious mental illness. Age and diagnosis (bipolar disorder) were significant predictors of self-reported caffeine intake. Potential explanations for increased caffeine intake in patients with serious mental illness are listed in the [Table](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/0vv8moc6/psychtimes/722929f9fb61b940e7bbe2af4468fd9a8f8618f0-276x658.png?fit=crop&auto=format).4,5 The authors performed a secondary analysis of a larger study of nicotine intake and smoking behavior.7 At baseline, participants had a blood sample for caffeine and nicotine and its metabolites.