It’s easy to forget that caffeine is a habit-forming, mood-altering drug, albeit a legal one. It’s a stimulant that works on the central nervous system, blocking neurotransmitters that make us tired and prodding production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that makes us feel good.

 As an alternative to caffeine, Strawbridge recommends stirring up your systems naturally: “Exercise can have stimulating effects, but the biological effects are different.”

Perhaps the biggest issue for individuals with bipolar is the way caffeine affects the sleep cycle.

Getting sufficient amounts of quality sleep is a major requirement for keeping bipolar mood shifts at bay. Caffeine can compromise sleep in ways you literally may not be conscious of.

Eduard Vieta, MD, PhD, heads the department of psychiatry and psychology at the University of Barcelona and leads the bipolar and depressive disorders program at Hospital Clínic de Barcelona. He advises careful consideration when it comes to caffeine and mood disorders.

At the very least, he recommends not consuming caffeine within eight hours of bedtime.

George moved from Southern California to Tucson so he could buy an affordable condo. He adopted a minimalist lifestyle, “with less stuff and more free time.” In short, he has embraced a quieter life—one that isn’t fueled by coffee. It all helps keep him in balance.

“Now, I only drink a half-cup in the morning,” he says. “I get more sleep and deeper sleep, and [I have] better concentration during the day.”

https://www.bphope.com/how-does-caffeine-affect-bipolar-disorder-what-you-need-to-know/