CAFFEINE – A POPULAR STIMULANT AS A CAUSE OF INSOMNIA AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS – A REVIEW OF THE LATEST LITERATURE

Emilia Majewska; Izabela Domańska; Aleksandra Sagan; Monika Domagała; Joanna Wiewióra; Weronika Duda; Małgorzata Piśkiewicz; Kamil Biedka; Jakub Bulski

doi:10.31435/ijitss.2(46).2025.3280

Emilia Majewska The Dr Tytus Chałubiński Specialist Hospital in Radom, Lekarska 4, 26-610 Radom, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0009-3043-1104
Izabela Domańska The Ludwik Rydygier Specialist Hospital in Kraków, Os. Złotej Jesieni 1, 31-826 Kraków, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0003-9348-1287
Aleksandra Sagan The Ludwik Rydygier Specialist Hospital in Kraków, Os. Złotej Jesieni 1, 31-826 Kraków, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0002-6746-4726
Monika Domagała 5th Military Clinical Hospital with the Polyclinic of SP ZOZ in Kraków, Wrocławska 1/3, 30-901 Krakow, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0003-2976-1102
Joanna Wiewióra Provincial Hospital in Bielsko-Biała, al. Armii Krajowej 101, 43-316 Bielsko-Biała, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0005-3627-0242
Weronika Duda Provincial Complex Hospital in Kielce, Grunwaldzka 45, 25-736 Kielce, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0002-6242-8785
Małgorzata Piśkiewicz Provincial Complex Hospital in Kielce, Grunwaldzka 45, 25-736 Kielce, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0006-0248-1137
Kamil Biedka 4th Military Clinical Hospital with Polyclinic SPZOZ in Wrocław, Weigla 5, 53-114 Wrocław, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0003-2157-103X
Jakub Bulski Provincial Hospital in Czerwona Góra, Czerwona Góra 10, 26-060 Chęciny, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0005-9875-6854

DOI: https://doi.org/10.31435/ijitss.2(46).2025.3280

Keywords: Sleep Deprivation, Caffeine, Medical Students, Insomnia Disorders

Abstract

Introduction and Objective
Caffeine is a common stimulant frequently used by young people, particularly medical students. Despite its numerous beneficial properties, it also causes various adverse effects, including addiction. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between insomnia among medical students and their caffeine consumption.

Materials and Methods
This review paper uses resources available in the Google Scholar databases. All the studies included in the review were published in 2024. The phrase "caffeine insomnia medical student" was used to search for relevant studies. These articles are available online and free-full text.

Results
Many medical students regularly consume caffeinated drinks. The reasons of using include combating fatigue, improving cognitive functions and concentration. However, its consumption is associated with negative health effects such as insomnia. Results of studies included in this review show that sleep disorders were reported by approximately 30% to nearly 50% of surveyed medical students consuming caffeinated drinks. Medical students suffering from insomnia showed worse test results. Sleep plays a crucial role in memory retention and information processing. Most of them lacked sufficient knowledge about the side effects of caffeine and the determination of a safe daily dose.

Conclusions
Insomnia is a common health issue among medical students. Regular caffeine consumption increases the risk of its occurrence. The surveyed students have limited knowledge about the side effects associated with caffeine use. To raise awareness among future doctors about the serious health consequences of excessive caffeine consumption, appropriate health education should be introduced during medical studies.

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