The main aim of this research was to identify factors that were related to caffeine consumption. From this investigation it can be concluded that coffee is the main source of caffeine and that consumption varies with time of day. Individuals may be utilising the arousing effects of caffeine by consuming it at times when arousal is low for instance to counteract sleep inertia or a post-lunch dip in alertness. There is, however, very little evidence to suggest that psychological characteristics such as personality traits or psychosocial factors are important in influencing caffeine consumption, although smoking was found to be related to the amount of caffeine consumed.