Overview
Caffeine, particularly in high doses found in energy drinks, can precipitate or exacerbate psychotic symptoms in individuals with and without pre-existing severe mental disorders 1. Energy drink consumption is a growing concern in psychiatry due to its association with these symptoms 1.Diagnosis
Psychotic symptoms (e.g., hallucinations, delusions) following energy drink consumption 1.
Consider in patients with new-onset psychosis or worsening of existing severe mental disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder) 1.
Diagnosis is primarily based on clinical presentation and history of energy drink intake 1.Management
Discontinuation of energy drink consumption 1.
Management of acute psychotic symptoms may require standard psychiatric interventions 1.Key Recommendations
Energy drink use may be an emerging clinical challenge in psychiatry, potentially causing or worsening psychotic symptoms 1. (Evidence: Weak)
In patients presenting with psychotic symptoms, a history of energy drink consumption should be considered 1. (Evidence: Weak)
Energy drinks might be a surrogate marker for other factors associated with psychosis, such as male sex and poor socioeconomic status 1. (Evidence: Weak)References
1 Wegmann Düring S, Botfeldt Møller-Pedersen T, Hovmand OR. Psychotic symptoms following consumption of energy drinks: a systematic review. Nordic journal of psychiatry 2025. link