Excessive Caffeine Use Linked to Hallucinations
According to a recent study people who use excessive amounts of caffeine are three times more likely to experience hallucinations than those who use it only in low doses or not at all. Excessive amount of caffeine correspond to about seven cups of instant coffee a day got from tea, coffee or energy drinks.
Excessive drinking of coffee may cause hallucinations.
There were 200 students participating in the study. Their stress levels and hallucinations were examined. The students told they had seen non-existent stuff, heard sounds and sensed the spirits of dead people.
Researchers guess the experiences may have something do to with the secretion of the stress hormone cortisol. Under stress the cortisol levels of our body is high, and use of caffeine increases its secretion.
The study was published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences.