Caffeine in question as coffee consumption spikes

A legal defense in a criminal case in Whitman County Superior Court has turned a spotlight on caffeine. Moscow Attorney Mark Moorer claims his client Daniel Noble, who is facing seven felony charges for a hit-and-run of two WSU students last week, was possibly under a caffeine-induced psychosis during the incident.

Noble allegedly hit two WSU students with his car last week in Pullman. According to the police report, Noble hit one of the students in a crosswalk and later drove his car onto a sidewalk along Stadium Way to hit the other student. Officers had to subdue Noble with a tazer gun after they stopped him on campus.

Moorer claims Noble’s erratic behavior may have resulted from Noble’s large consumption of coffee and energy drinks.

Caffeine consumption typically spikes in December, according to Jessie Hunter, dietician for the county health department.

December is the darkest month of the year, and many hit their local caffeine dispensary to counter the early onset of night.

“People generally get tired a lot easier when it’s dark outside,” she said. “So to get things done they pick up a cup of coffee for a little boost.”

Kelsy Kittrell, barista at the Daily Grind coffee stand in Colfax, said business has picked up as the days have shortened.

“Yeah, it has been busier down here,” said Kittrell.

However, with more people appearing at the window of her stand, Kittrell said she has yet to witness any abnormal behavior.

“I’ve never seen anybody go nuts from caffeine,” said Kittrell. “I know one of my friend’s dad had an energy drink once, and his heart felt funny, but he didn’t act weird.”

Dr. Rebecca Craft, a research psychiatrist at WSU who specializes in the biopsychological effects of drugs on the human body, said Moorer’s defense is new to her.

“I have never heard of caffeine-induced psychosis,” she said.

Dr. Gregory Belensky is a researcher at WSU’s sleep and performance research center in Spokane.

Belensky was careful to not issue an opinion about the possibility of copious caffeine consumption causing psychosis, but said a number of factors would have to be in play for the theory to hold true.

“We have seen people that show wild behavior when given a stimulant. But typically there is an underlying mental disorder that is triggered by the stimulant,” he said. “Without seeing the man, I wouldn’t be able to say what his situation is, but I would find it unlikely that caffeine alone would bring out a psychotic episode.”

Belensky said caffeine users typically feel side effects that would prevent them from developing a full-blown psychosis. He pointed out many coffee drinkers get jittery when they overload and stop ingesting caffeine then.

Kittrell remained unconcerned about the potential side effects of the beverages she dispenses from the Daily Grind.

Noble was sent to Eastern State Hospital in Medical Lake last week to undergo a mental evaluation under a special court order.