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Caffeine withdrawal, acute effects, tolerance, and absence of net beneficial effects of chronic administration: cerebral blood flow velocity, quantitative EEG, and subjective effects

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Abstract

Rationale

Although the subjective effects of caffeine abstinence, acute and chronic administration, and tolerance are well described, the corresponding neurophysiological effects are not.

Objectives

Caffeine withdrawal, acute caffeine effects, caffeine tolerance, and net beneficial effects of chronic caffeine administration were investigated using cerebral blood flow velocity, quantitative electroencephalography (EEG), and subjective effects.

Materials and methods

Sixteen regular caffeine users participated in this double-blind, within-subject study during which they received acute caffeine and placebo challenges (1) while maintained on 400 mg caffeine daily for ≥14 days and (2) while maintained on placebo for ≥14 days. Blood flow velocity was determined for the middle (MCA) and anterior (ACA) cerebral arteries using pulsed transcranial Doppler sonography. EEG was recorded from 16 scalp sites. Subjective effects were assessed with questionnaires.

Results

Acute caffeine abstinence (evaluated 24 h after placebo substitution) increased mean, systolic, and diastolic velocity in the MCA and ACA and decreased pulsatility index in the MCA. Acute caffeine abstinence increased EEG theta and decreased beta 2 power. Acute caffeine abstinence also increased measures of Tired, Fatigue, Sluggish, and Weary and decreased ratings of Energetic, Friendly, Lively, and Vigor. Acute caffeine effects were demonstrated across a wide range of measures, including cerebral blood flow, EEG, and subjective effects. Tolerance and “complete” tolerance were observed on subjective but not physiological measures. Chronic caffeine effects were demonstrated only on the measure of EEG beta 2 power.

Conclusion

Acute caffeine abstinence and administration produced changes in cerebral blood flow velocity, EEG, and subjective effects. Tolerance to subjective but not physiological measures was demonstrated. There was almost no evidence for net effects of chronic caffeine administration on these measures. Overall, these findings provide the most rigorous demonstration to date of physiological effects of caffeine withdrawal.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported in part by research grant R01 DA-03890 and training grant T32-DA07209 from the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The authors thank John Yingling for computer programming assistance, Allison Chausmer, Tiffany Tomlin, and Krista Powell for their help with data collection, and Paul Nuzzo for assistance with statistical analysis. This study complies with current laws of the United States and the authors report no conflicting interests.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, University of Vermont College of Medicine, SATC-UHC, Room 1415, Burlington, VT, 05401, USA

    Stacey C. Sigmon

  2. Molecular Neuropsychiatry Section, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Ronald I. Herning, Warren Better & Jean L. Cadet

  3. Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 5510 Nathan Shock Drive, Baltimore, MD, 21224-6823, USA

    Roland R. Griffiths

Authors
  1. Stacey C. Sigmon
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  2. Ronald I. Herning
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  3. Warren Better
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  4. Jean L. Cadet
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  5. Roland R. Griffiths
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Roland R. Griffiths.

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Sigmon, S.C., Herning, R.I., Better, W. et al. Caffeine withdrawal, acute effects, tolerance, and absence of net beneficial effects of chronic administration: cerebral blood flow velocity, quantitative EEG, and subjective effects. Psychopharmacology 204, 573–585 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-009-1489-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-009-1489-4

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