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A La Trobe University study in Australia has found a link between consuming high amounts of caffeine and hearing things! The study, involving 92 participants, suggested that people who are stressed and consume a lot of caffeine are more likely to report hearing sounds that aren’t actually present. Study participants had the equivalent of about five cups of coffee, or roughly 200mg of caffeine.
The study also highlighted the role of stress in these experiences, with stressed participants being more susceptible to auditory hallucinations. The lead researcher described these experiences as a “psychosis-like symptom”.
It’s important to consider that the study involved a relatively small sample size and relied on self-reported caffeine and stress levels, which could introduce bias.The study also highlighted that caffeine is a psychoactive drug, and excessive consumption can have psychological effects.
