<b>Use of Caffeinated Drinks for Stress in Medical Students</b>

Background: Academic stress is common in medical training and may influence health behaviors, including the use of caffeinated beverages to sustain alertness and cope with demanding study schedules. Objective: To determine the prevalence and patterns of caffeinated drink consumption, perceived effectiveness for stress management, adverse effects, and the association between academic stress and caffeine use for stress management among medical students. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted from September to October 2025 among 241 MBBS students at a teaching hospital in Multan, Pakistan. A structured self-administered questionnaire assessed demographics, caffeinated drink use, timing and frequency, academic stress and symptoms, intentional use for stress management, perceived effectiveness on a 5-point scale, alertness, and side effects. Associations were evaluated using chi-square tests, with effect estimates reported as risk ratios and odds ratios. Results: Most participants consumed caffeinated drinks (83.0%), primarily tea (65.5% of consumers). Academic stress was reported by 78.4%. Caffeine was used specifically for stress management by 39.0%, with moderate perceived effectiveness (mean 3.15 ± 0.92). Stressed students were more likely to use caffeine for stress management than non-stressed students (46.0% vs 13.5%; p < 0.001). While 74.7% reported increased alertness, 46.9% reported side effects. Conclusion: Caffeinated drinks are widely used among medical students, and academic stress is strongly associated with using caffeine for stress management despite moderate perceived benefit and frequent adverse effects, supporting targeted education and institutional stress-reduction strategies. Keywords: caffeine; stress management; medical students; cross-sectional study; Pakistan