Substances That Aggravate AnxietyStimulants: CaffeineOf all the dietary factors that can aggravate anxiety and trigger panic attacks, caffeine is the most notorious. Many people find that they feel calmer and sleep better after they've reduced their caffeine consumption. Caffeine has a directly stimulating effect on several different systems in your body. It increases the level of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine in your brain, causing you to feel alert and awake. It also produces the very same physiological arousal response that is triggered when you are subjected to stress-increased sympathetic nervous system activity and a release of adrenaline. In short, too much caffeine can keep you in a chronically tense, aroused condition, leaving you more vulnerable to generalized anxiety as well as panic attacks. Caffeine further contributes to stress by causing a depletion of vitamin B1 (thiamine), which is one of the so-called anti-stress vitamins. NicotineNicotine is as strong a stimulant as caffeine. It stimulates increased physiological arousal, vasoconstriction, and makes your heart work harder. Smokers often object to this notion and claim that having a cigarette tends to calm their nerves. Research has proven, however, that smokers tend to be more anxious than nonsmokers, even when there are no differences in their intake of other stimulants, such as coffee and over-the-counter drugs. I have found that smokers, after quitting, not only feel healthier and more vital but are less prone to anxiety states and panic. Stimulant DrugsOver-the-counter drugs containing caffeine have already been mentioned. In addition to these medicines, you should be aware of prescription drugs that contain amphetamines, including Benzedrine, Dexedrine, Methedrine, and Ritalin. While these drugs used to be widely prescribed as appetite suppressants as well as antidepressants, they are rarely used today. Being strong stimulants, they are risky to use if you have a history of anxiety or panic attacks.Next Page: More substances that stress the body