The “Buzz” on Caffeine: Patterns of Caffeine Use in a Convenience Sample of College Students

Background: Caffeine is the most widely used psychoactive drug in the world, yet little is known about its patterns and correlates of use. The purposes of this study were to characterize patterns of caffeine consumption among U.S. college students and to examine demographic differences across levels of caffeine consumption, sources of caffeine, and situations surrounding caffeine use. Methods: Undergraduate students (N =685) enrolled in Introduction to Psychology courses completed an online survey for course credit. Results: Caffeine use was prevalent, with 98% of students having consumed caffeine and 89% reporting past-30-day use. Students consumed an average of 1369.92 mg of caffeine in a typical week, with escalating levels of caffeine use by age and year in school. Patterns of use also differed by gender, as men consumed significantly more caffeine from energy drinks/shots and soft drinks and were more likely to use caffeine when partying (in combination with alcohol) and to stay awake during long car rides. Conclusion: This study indicates that caffeine consumption is widespread among college students, yet there are factors that differentiate its patterns of use.