Study: Smokers with mental disorders drink the most coffee

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Scientists have found that adult smokers with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia drink more coffee than other people.

Caffeine is generally considered safe and even has some health benefits. However, the drink may have cognitive and mental effects when consumed by smokers with mental disorders.

In the new study, the authors analyzed data from 248 adult smokers with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, as well as people without psychiatric diagnoses. All participants smoked a pack of cigarettes per day.

Analysis of the data showed that caffeine consumption was highest among participants with bipolar disorder, followed by adults with schizophrenia. The control group consumed the least amount of caffeine.

Scientists say there are several hypotheses to explain the relationship between caffeine consumption and mental illness. One is the well-established link: people with mental illness smoke two to three times more often than the general population, and because the tar in cigarette smoke enhances the metabolism of caffeine, they need more of the drink to achieve the stimulating effect.

Another hypothesis links high caffeine consumption to adenosine receptors and supports a possible self-medication effect in people with mental disorders. Each of these explanations requires further study.