In a fast-paced and driven society the need for energy and stimulation from an external source is often sought after through coffee and other caffeinated products. This is of growing concern as the long-term effects as well as the affected areas of the overconsumption of caffeine is uncertain. More importantly the long-term effects of caffeine can allow for the occurrence of certain conditions and/or diseases such as depression. For this research topic, caffeine as an unregulated psychoactive substance and its potential effects on mental health is analyzed. The stimulant properties of this substance, which affect the central nervous system, can aid in the development of dependency among its consumers. This is reflective of other regulated and/or illicit substances which create dependency and tolerance leading to other chronic conditions and diseases. As a result, this research analysis focuses on exploring the potential association of caffeine and caffeine metabolites with mental health, specifically depression. Using datasets acquired through NHANES, tests and analysis run on the data will reveal a corresponding relationship between increased caffeine consumption with increased incidences of depression and vice versa.
In order to conduct analyses on the possible relationship of caffeine and mental health, large amounts of data need to be managed and run through R-Studio. As previously mentioned, the datasets for this research topic were acquired from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). NHANES, a part of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), test participants from various backgrounds for various nutritional and health inquires. These tests are performed on thousands of participants through an interview and physical examination process for which data has been readily available. For this research topic the datasets that are included are the caffeine and caffeine metabolites, demographics, and the depression screener for the years 2009 to 2010. The information of these datasets is being managed to essentially “clean” the data, meaning that any participants containing missing information is omitted in efforts to makes this analysis as accurate as possible. Additionally, further test on R-studio will be done such as plotting the data, merging datasets, and running correlations. The research is not limited to these tests only and will likely require additional tests and considerations for a valid and significant statistical analysis.
As of now, the preliminary analysis of this research topic points to a connection or association of caffeine and mental health, specifically depression. This is based on the review of the literature, mainly through the conscious overconsumption of energy drinks and feelings of anxiety. Further analysis concerning this topic needs to be conducted not only through conscious overconsumption, but also the unconscious overconsumption of caffeine. This meaning not just analyzing the active consumption of caffeine through energy drinks, but also the caffeine consumed through products for which individuals may not have knowledge of its contents and/or amounts of caffeine present. This will include consumption of caffeine that hopefully encompasses everyone and not just the individuals which actively consume caffeine and caffeinated products.
