Hi, I have a question…
I read somewhere that coffee and caffeine cause release of dopamine in the brain.
Lately, since I’ve stopped smoking (which also releases dopamine) I’ve started drinking more and more coffee (3-4 cups a day)…
My question is: (and I know your not doctors, but still)
Could it be that because my medication inhibits dopamine, I drink coffee to make up for this lack of the chemical?
Just a thought…
Thanks for your consideration.
I think most antipsychotics inhibit the action of dopamine.
This is a hard question. Most schizophrenics smoke cigarettes because they have a low dopamine level in their system due to anti psychotics. In regards to coffee as well.
However, some schizos like myself, limit their dopamine intake because it causes anxiety and possibly even psychosis.
It’s hard to answer your question, however someone might have an answer on this forum.
I would ask your pdoc just to be on the safe side.
I think you drink coffee to make of for the shortage of dopamine antipsychotics cause. I used to do the same thing. But I’ve been off meds for over a month now and still feel like I need more dopamine. I don’t get much pleasure or enjoyment out of life anymore.
With my Zuclopenthixol Depot and Quetiapine combo I can drink coffee without issues, when I was on Quetiapine alone caffeine would make me freak and trip out.
I drink more than a pot of coffee everyday so I can relate. In fact, I take it one step further and compulsively drink cold water which I suspect gives a subtle dopamine kick otherwise I wouldn’t do it. Plus the water helps me come down from the caffeine. In a way it’s like uppers and downers.
I’m guilty of drinking so much coffee. I drink 4-5 mugs full. 
To all you heavy coffee drinkers, how are you not getting panic attacks from the excessive dopamine ?
I get pretty bad panic attacks with other things. Not with coffee. It makes me super happy, and energetic. Like ADHD. Or the road runner.
I drink a rather ridiculous amount of coffee and soda. It’s very obvious to me and others when I’ve cut back.
I don’t have panic attacks though. I’ve never had that issue. When I don’t have the coffee or soda it’s like I power down and stop functioning well. I stop responding to people and things. It’s like my being starts to turn off.
I already have so much dopamine, if I drink a soda, I feel like I’m God.
I use caffeine to give myself the energy to survive social interactions 
I drink too much, too much coffee to counteract drowsiness and that kind of side effects.
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