CommunityMind & Motivation

Caffeine anxiety

17 replies14 peopleMar 20, 2026☆ Follow
Summary

Does Reta increase sensitivity to caffeine and worsen anxiety symptoms?

Several users report that Reta heightens anxiety and makes caffeine feel much stronger, leading some to switch to alternatives like armodafinil or cut caffeine entirely. Others say they never noticed any change and continue drinking large amounts without issue. A few find L-theanine helps offset the jittery effects while others simply lose interest in coffee altogether after a couple months on the medication.

What this discussion establishesWhere people disagree

Whether Reta reliably increases anxiety or caffeine sensitivity; some experience it strongly while others report zero change even at high intake levels.

Still open

How much of the effect is due to Reta alone versus concurrent medications like tirzepatide during dose transitions.

Nothing here is advice.

17 replies · 14 people
PatientAlder64archiveopening postMar 20

I've been on Reta for four months. I have moderate to severe social anxiety, and with my current dose of 6 mg every six days I've noticed caffeine now makes my anxiety much worse. Switching to matcha didn't help either. Has anyone else run into this?

PatientAlder64archiveMar 20

I've switched over to armodafinil at 75 mg instead.

WryLedger88archiveMar 20
↳ replying to @PatientAlder64

How has that been working for you? I enjoy coffee but when my anxiety spikes I have to skip it because it can make things worse. What helps me is lowering the anxiety first through other methods, and once it improves I can have coffee again.

SlowSignal37archiveMar 20

Reta seemed to raise my anxiety levels. I'm not sure if it was partly from also being on tirz while lowering the dose, but it got bad enough that I stopped Reta and stayed on tirz alone for now. During that period I avoided caffeine and stimulant meds for ADHD except when really needed. I haven't seen this talked about much but it matches what I went through.

BlueBeacon12archiveMar 20

I take L-theanine whenever I have more caffeine than a can of soda and it cuts down the jittery anxious feeling a lot.

GreySparrow51archiveMar 20

Never had any problem and sometimes I'll drink ten cups in one morning. I like letting my coffee cool so I can drink a tall glass of it quickly. Probably not the best example for this topic.

PatientAlder64archiveMar 21
↳ replying to @WryLedger88

It's going really well. Had some side effects early on but it keeps me focused on tasks and awake. I have some modafinil too but I like armodafinil better.

PatientAlder64archiveMar 21
↳ replying to @GreySparrow51

I used to drink a large coffee every morning plus an energy drink on long shifts. Now I can't unless I'm staying home.

ClearMarble44archiveApr 3
↳ replying to @PatientAlder64

What's your experience been like comparing modafinil and armodafinil?

PlainAlder11archiveApr 3

I'm down to maybe a cup and a half now. No real desire and could probably skip it. It used to help with bowel movements but that effect has faded.

BrightMeadow28archiveApr 6

I used to have two cups a day with an espresso machine. After two months on Reta the desire disappeared. It's been over a month without any coffee and I don't even want one.

IronLantern24archiveApr 7

Fresh brewed coffee with half and half is one of the few things I still enjoy. I think giving it up would make me more anxious.

BrightBeacon35archiveApr 7

I simply can't picture life without my daily brew. That's the drink I personally label as wicked sludge.

GreySparrow64archiveApr 7

I went from a whole pot in the mornings down to one cup. I really enjoy that single cup though.

BlueSignal96archiveApr 7

Coffee gives me full-on jitters and anxiety. It's pretty intense. When someone offers me a cup I usually say no thanks, I'm not into hard drugs.

BlueLantern35archiveApr 7
↳ replying to @PatientAlder64 (opening post)

I have anxiety and have avoided caffeine for almost ten years. In my opinion it's the worst possible thing for anxiety.

KeenMeadow35archiveApr 7

You people are strange. Chugging ten cups? Calling it naughty mud? Where do you live, because everyone I know is pretty boring.

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