Are you wondering exactly much caffeine is in your cup of coffee. Trying to cut down a bit, or at least know how much caffeine you are ingesting each day with your morning cup of java or afternoon pick-me-up triple espresso Latte?
A typical cup of coffee contains approximately one hundred and twelve milligrams of caffeine. There is a bit less caffeine in a shot of espresso - a typical espresso shot includes about ninety milligrams of caffeine.
How much caffeine in coffee?This is important to keep in mind when making any espresso drinks.
While these numbers are typical, the amount of caffeine in coffee can vary considerably based upon multiple factors. The primary factors affecting caffeine content of coffee and espresso include the genetics of the coffee bean varietal, the particular roasting given to the coffee beans and how the coffee is brewed.
If the coffee beans being used are Arabica coffee beans then one cup of coffee that is approximately one hundred and twenty milliliters of coffee, if it is drip-brewed, will have about 112 milligrams of caffeine.
A 30 milliliter Espresso shot using Arabica coffee will have an estimated ninety milligrams of caffeine.
How Does Roasting Affect Coffee Caffeine Content?
When coffee is roasted it decreases the overall amount of caffeine in the coffee, but not significantly enough for it to be a serious way to reduce your caffeine intake.
Caffeine did not undergo significant degradation with only 5.4% being lost under severe roasting.
Source
Choose your roast based on your personal preferences, not based on caffeine content.
Roasting does have an effect on chlorogenic acid content - possibly what contributes to many of coffee's purported health effects, but another study also shows that caffeine is relatively unaffected by roast level.
On the other hand the Robusta coffee plant varietal has significantly more caffeine than the Arabica varietal. Robusta coffee beans are used primarily for espresso blends and to make instant coffee.
How Caffeine Metabolizes in the Human Body
Once a person consumes caffeine the body starts to metabolize it and this takes place in the person's liver. The result is three different metabolites. These three metabolites include paraxanthine (84%), theobromine (12%) and theophylline (4%).
In the first 45 minutes after consumption of the caffeine it is likely absorbed by the stomach and small intestine and begins to spread throughout the tissues of the human body.
Caffeine's Classification by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Considered safe for human consumption by the FDA, caffeine is classified as a food substance with multiple uses.
All About Caffeine in Coffee - Investigating the Side Effects of Caffeine and the Symptoms of Withdrawal from Caffeine continued:
Caffeine is a stimulant and is known scientifically as a xanthine alkaloid. When it is isolated from its source it is a crystalline white substance and is very bitter.
How does caffeine affect the human body?
Caffeine affects the human body by creating chemical changes in the human brain with a whole variety of effects including an enhanced alertness and energy level.
The way this is enhanced energy and alertness is achieved by the chemical caffeine is that the caffeine pretends, or mimics, another compound which is called adenosine.
The caffeine then binds on to the adenosine receptors in the brain with the effect of halting the true adenosine from doing its job which normally would be to slow down the body's nerve impulses and bring a very sleepy feeling to the person, a natural drowsiness that is warded off by the effects of caffeine.
Yes, some drugs may have an enhanced effectiveness when affected by caffeine. For example, some headache drugs include caffeine in their contents in order to help the effectiveness. This may be related to the vasodilating effects of caffeine.
Caffeine may be used in combination with ergotamine to treat cluster headaches and migraines. Some people prefer to use caffeine to overcome the sleepy qualities they feel when taking antihistamines.
Caffeine doesn't specifically, but coffee does.
However, some people who have shown to be at high risk for liver disease have been shown to have less severe liver injury associated with increasing caffeine consumption. This may include people with obesity, hemochromatosis and alcoholisms. [source]
Because of this, people who drink coffee but want to quit caffeine may want to look into decaf coffee instead of cutting out coffee entirely, so that they can continue to benefit from its health protecting properties.
Yes, some studies completed on ex vivo hair follicles have shown that caffeine may decrease hair growth suppression in vitro due to testosterone. In this regard caffeine may be a potential therapeutic agent in Androgenic alopecia, and caffeine has been added by some companies to their soap and shampoos.
Caffeine is found in nature in a wide array of plants, and it is found in plant fruits as well as plant leaves. This includes: cocoa beans, tea leaves, coffee beans and kola nuts. Less common sources are yaupon holly, guaryusa, yerba mate and guarana berries.
Caffeine often serves to help the plant by working as a natural pesticide against harmful predators on the plant such as insects.
What Products Contain Caffeine, and How Much?
A tablet of Excedrin contains about sixty-five milligrams of caffeine while a regular strength caffeine tablet has about one hundred milligrams of caffeine. There are two hundred milligrams of caffeine in an extra-strength caffeine tablet.
Another example of a common product with plenty of caffeine in it is chocolate. There are about ten milligrams of caffeine in an average milk chocolate bar. Dark chocolate, by comparison, may have about 30 milligrams of caffeine.
There are some dark chocolate bars that have as much as 160 milligrams of caffeine so it can vary considerably by the type and the quality of the chocolate.
Six ounces of a typical green tea will contain about thirty milligrams of caffeine while the very same amount of black tea will have about fifty milligrams of caffeine.
Amount of Caffeine in Coffee continued: You will get about thirty-four milligrams of caffeine from 12 ounces of Coke while a Mountain Dew will give you a whopping 54 milligrams of caffeine. A Red Bull energy drink has about eighty milligrams of caffeine while a Monster energy drink has about 160 milligrams of caffeine.
Withdrawal from Caffeine and Human Tolerance To Caffeine
People who consistently consume caffeine will gradually adapt to the continuous presence of the chemical in their body by increasing their overall number of adenosine receptors in their central nervous system. This occurs since caffeine functions as an antagonist to the receptors in the central nervous system for the neurotransmitter adenosine.
Tolerance adaptation to caffeine has the effect over time of reducing the chemical's stimulatory effects. These adaptive responses to caffeine also have the effect of making the person more sensitive to adenosine, and thus when the intake of caffeine is reduced then the adenosine's natural physiological effects will create withdrawal symptoms.
Of 49 symptom categories identified, the following 10 fulfilled validity criteria: headache, fatigue, decreased energy/activeness, decreased alertness, drowsiness, decreased contentedness, depressed mood, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and foggy/not clearheaded. In addition, flu-like symptoms, nausea/vomiting, and muscle pain/stiffness were judged likely to represent valid symptom categories.
In experimental studies, the incidence of headache was 50% and the incidence of clinically significant distress or functional impairment was 13%. Typically, onset of symptoms occurred 12-24 h after abstinence, with peak intensity at 20-51 h, and for a duration of 2-9 days. In general, the incidence or severity of symptoms increased with increases in daily dose; abstinence from doses as low as 100 mg/day produced symptoms.
Research is reviewed indicating that expectancies are not a prime determinant of caffeine withdrawal and that avoidance of withdrawal symptoms plays a central role in habitual caffeine consumption.
Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15448977
Debate Over Adenosine Receptors, Tolerance and Caffeine Withdrawal Symptoms
There is some debate in scientific circles about the increase in adenosine receptors being the main cause of building up tolerance to caffeine's stimulating effects, with some evidence pointing toward a conclusion that there are also other causes at work which help to explain people developing a tolerance to large doses of caffeine.
The Discoverer of Caffeine
The evidence is a bit fuzzy but some say that the stimulating effects of caffeine are mentioned in Chinese legends dating to about 3,000 years ago.
Firmer evidence comes from 600 BCE as a Mayan pot dating to this time contains the first clear evidence of a cocoa bean, so we know caffeine was around by this time for sure.
Who First Isolated Caffeine from Coffee?
In 1819 the German chemist Friedlieb Runge became the first scientist to successfully isolate the chemical caffeine from coffee beans. Less than one year later the French chemist Pelletier and another scientist named Caventou also isolated the chemical caffeine, and Pelletier was the one to coin the word "cafeine" which he derived from the word "cafe" meaning coffee.
Who Opened the First Coffee House?
As early as 1530 there were coffeehouses in Damascus, Syria and Istanbul.
What began the spread of coffee all around the world?
In the 1600s the Dutch became the first people to carry coffee from the ancient port of Mocha. This movement of coffee by the Dutch began the rapid spread of coffee beans around the globe and it is still spreading, most recently growing rapidly in consumption in China and other emerging markets.
The Dutch were also industrious in cultivating coffee in other locations, first in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) in 1658.
Caffeine withdrawal
Regular caffeine consumption reduces sensitivity to caffeine. When caffeine intake is reduced, the body becomes oversensitive to adenosine. In response to this oversensitiveness, blood pressure drops dramatically, causing an excess of blood in the head (though not necessarily on the brain), leading to a caffeine withdrawal headache.
This headache, well known among coffee drinkers, usually lasts from one to five days, and can be alleviated with analgesics such as aspirin. It is also alleviated with caffeine intake (in fact several analgesics contain caffeine dosages).
Even small amounts of caffeine (such as a green tea, compared to a full coffee) can do wonders to alleviate a withdrawal-induced headache.
The source of caffeine is important to consider as well. Coffee is generally considered to be healthy, due in part to its anti-oxidant properties. However, energy drinks and unregulated supplements may contain any number of other compounds that can have a negative impact, often working synergistically with caffeine.
Caffeine on its own, particularly coffee, is associated with an overall decrease in all-cause-mortality [4]. Simply put, this means that people who drink coffee are less likely to die from all causes.
Caffeine withdrawal symptoms
Often, people who are reducing caffeine intake report being irritable, unable to work, nervous, restless, and feeling sleepy, as well as having a headache. Many of these symptoms mirror having the cold or flu.
- Headache
- Sleepiness
- Irritability
- Fatigue, lethargy
- Constipation
- Depression
- Muscle stiffness, cramping
- Brain fog, Inability to focus
- Cold-like symptoms
- Anxiety
In extreme cases, nausea and vomiting has also been reported. These are very real experiences [1], and despite recurring jokes, can cause problems with normal functioning. If you experience severe symptoms, seek medical advice.
Is Caffeine Withdrawal Real?
In short: Yes. Negative effects from quitting caffeine have been scientifically documented in clinical studies.
Of 49 symptom categories identified, the following 10 fulfilled validity criteria: headache, fatigue, decreased energy/activeness, decreased alertness, drowsiness, decreased contentedness, depressed mood, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and foggy/not clearheaded. In addition, flu-like symptoms, nausea/vomiting, and muscle pain/stiffness were judged likely to represent valid symptom categories. [1]
Additionally, caffeine withdrawal is recognized by psychiatrists as a real disorder.
Caffeine withdrawal is a recognized disorder and is listed in the DSM-5. (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders)
How Long Does Caffeine Withdrawal Last?
The answer to this will depend on your level of consumption and the level you reduce your caffeine consumption to.
In experimental studies, the incidence of headache was 50% and the incidence of clinically significant distress or functional impairment was 13%. Typically, onset of symptoms occurred 12-24 h after abstinence, with peak intensity at 20-51 h, and for a duration of 2-9 days. [1]
That means you'll probably notice the start within 12-24 hours with the worst being the second day you after you quit. From there, it gradually gets better over the course of a week to a week and a half.
Your brain is miraculously resilient and adapts to life without caffeine in just 2 short weeks. The psychological habit of drinking caffeine can take 3 to 4 weeks to break, but can also be replaced with decaf coffee or another low-caffeine drink (eg. tea).
Reports of people having withdrawal symptoms months or years after quitting coffee or caffeine are more typically confused with general health maladies or other more drugs.
Unrelated Symptoms
Caffeine cessation is often associated with major lifestyle changes, and as such, it can be difficult to associated symptoms directly with caffeine withdrawal. As a best practice, you should isolate factors by making changes slowly, over time, unless under the advice and guidance of a medical professional.
Compounding factors such as other medications, and major health events that lead to discontinuing caffeine, can have a misleading association with caffeine withdrawals.
If symptoms such as kidney pain appears, seek immediate medical attention.
Tingling
There are no known mechanisms through which caffeine withdrawal may cause tingling. On the other hand, caffeine consumption can sometimes cause tingling due to restriction of blood flow to extremities.
Back pain
While back pain is not a symptom of caffeine withdrawal, symptoms may (re)appear when caffeine use is discontinued.
This may be due to caffeine's reported analgesic affect on pain [3] - in english, caffeine might help alleviate (back) pain by amplifying the effect of pain killers. The re-ocurring presence of back pain may be due to synergistic effect being lost, but is unrelated to the temporary effects of withdrawal itself.
Dealing with Caffeine Withdrawal
The severity of caffeine withdrawal symptoms vary with how extreme the restriction, and a gradual reduction can do wonders in avoiding symptoms. Simply starting by replacing one cup of coffee with a decaf coffee or tea will provide a much smaller dose of caffeine, allowing your receptors to re-acclimate to lower levels. Drinking coffee (decaf) or other warm beverage (tea) instead of regular coffee helps psychologically with the well established habit.
Timing large reductions in caffeine consumption is also a useful tool. Picking a time of rest and relaxation such as a weekend or vacation can lessen the burden of symptoms like brain fog and a lack of motivation.
Hydration is also key - while coffee is a diuretic it's also mostly water, and cutting back on coffee may also inadvertently cut back on your fluid intake. Many symptoms of dehydration overlap with caffeine withdrawal including headaches, muscle soreness and leg cramping, irritability and lethargy.
Without caffeine blocking your adenoseine receptors, your body's built up levels of adenosine will lead to a lot of sleepiness. Get lots of rest! Scientists are still puzzled by why humans need sleep, aside from getting tired. According to some research from the NIH (National Institutes of Health) has indicated that sleep enables your brain to drain built-up chemical by products of working so hard (you little genius), which is good for you!
Advil or Tylenol can be an effective method of dealing with the coffee withdrawal headache and muscle pain. Other natural pain relievers such as running / exercise and even an orgasm can provide temporary relief by dilating blood vessels in the brain.
The best solution may not be totally ceasing caffeine consumption though. Coffee does have health benefits, as it contains over 1000 known compounds, with many associated with lowering blood pressure and improving cardiac function, as well as liver protection [2]. Generally, the best coffees are grown at higher elevations will develop more healthy chlorogenic acids that are present in higher concentrations in light roasts than dark roasts. If you're a dark roast lover however, darker roasts cause less stomach acid production. A decaffeinated coffee with just 5-25 mg of caffeine will still retain a lot of its healthy chemicals and will provide health benefits in medium and dark roasts.
With these tips you can reduce the caffeine in your body and avoid the rebound of a caffeine withdrawal.
References
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15448977
[2] Coffee Consumption Decreases Risks for Hepatic Fibrosis and Cirrhosis: A Meta-Analysis
http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0142457
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22419343
[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28697850
Caffeine and Health. J. E. James, Academic Press, 1991. Progress in Clinical and Biological Research Volume 158. G. A. Spiller, Ed. Alan R. Liss Inc, 1984.
Xie et al "Sleep initiated fluid flux drives metabolite clearance from the adult brain." Science, October 18, 2013. DOI: 10.1126/science.1241224
Never Again says
re: About 36 Days In
Back again. I'm still waiting for the morning I wake up and this nightmare is over, however a couple days ago I realized what I'm having are racing thoughts which derives from the anxiety that I'm sure everyone here realizes caffeine withdrawal brings. Basically, I pick out random stuff whether it be certain words or phrases or objects or ideas or movements or...just about anything, really and I can't get them out of my head. Stuff that I ordinarily wouldn't give a second thought about or even notice. The thoughts don't completely take over my consciousness but they run in the background of my other thoughts and make hard or damn near impossible to focus 100% on things. And it's crazy cause I can have racing thoughts about something the whole day then go out with my friends, enjoy myself and TALK about what I've had racing thoughts about or see it or whatever and not even realize that I did it until later. Which is why, even when I didn't have a name for it, I knew it had to do with anxiety cause when I'm in a better mood, I either don't notice the thoughts or, if I do, they're out of my mind in a second.
If you look back, you can see I originally thought they were phobias and I even thought it might be some type of OCD, but I didn't fear them as if they were phobias and I definately didn't think of/do any of it to relieve anxiety like OCD. So, anyone else experiencing the same thing, know that it's not those two. But, yeah. Like I said before, the racing thoughts fade and my mood gets better as the pressure in my head and sinuses lowers. Still waiting for it to be over, though.
flip-out wilson says
re: I still have mood swings
I still have mood swings myself but I identify them as adrenal adjustments--in fact, they feel like adrenal rushes. I also crave sugar to the max, unusual, but my body wants the blood sugar spike. The good news is that already my skin feels softer and even my hair seems more relaxed! I am also wide awake in the morning, and am able to focus on matters at hand with undisturbed concentration. I am sorry I did not do this while in college, I would have gotten better grades.
Keep it up.
flip-out wilson says
re: Yep, we do save money by
Yep, we do save money by abstaining. if one is to drink coffee, one must buy organic only, as coffee beans are the most toxic, pesticide- ridden product on earth. It is pesticide in a cup. But organic coffee is getting expensive, and will only become more so.
I say just lay off all of the garbage that you do not need, and spend those dollars on organic fruits and vegetables.
User says
re: ENCOURAGEMENT PLEASE!!!
I am going on week 2 1/2 of no caffeine and am still going through some mood swings. My happiness just isn't there like it once was and my patience is next to none. I wake up at 4 AM with anxieties and just want to sleep. However, I am still off of the caffeine and know that I am not in this alone... and I feel I'm making baby steps back to being me. You are all such an inspiration to me. One day I hope to wake up at 6:00 am refreshed and ready to tackle the day like I did when I was juiced up on caffeine (without the caffeine of course). We can do this!!!
Arm says
re: Indeed... I feel much
Indeed... I feel much better... I don't need coffee anymore!! (I think)... I feel much refreshed, less anxious and more normal overall..
It was a great help to find this website and see that I wasn't alone in the desert..
Besides the health benefits of not drinking coffee, it also saves money!
flip-out wilson says
re: arm, congrats on your
arm, congrats on your recovery!
you should be feeling better very soon. Literally, you will wake up one morning feeling energetic and refreshed. You will also feel 10 pounds lighter. Eventually, the desire to have a hot drink in the morning will leave you as well.
It's a brave new world for us now, we the Army of the Non-Caffeinated (ANC).
Arm says
re: 7 days so far
I stopped drinking coffee unintentionally since I had a meeting that lasted all day. I used to drink three cups/day of coffee, each one with 2 tsp of instant coffee.. I decided to give it a shot.. The first and second day were excruciating in terms of headaches.. Third day was bad as well and I felt nauseous. Day 4 and 5 were OK.. I felt good overall... Day 6 and 7 were bad as well.. Headaches came back full-force, combined with nausea and drowsiness.. How long this is going to last?
Never Again says
re: I'm Back and 30 Days Into Withdrawal
If you're looking for my first post, it's on the previous page. I have the same name (Never Again). But, yeah. I'm back and about 30 days in and this has been one horrible rollercoaster ride, but I believe I'm starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I still have the head pressure feeling (and I feel it in my sinuses, too, which I neglected to mention before), but the peaks of the pressure have been less intense and sometimes there's no pressure at all. Or no pressure that I can tell. Who knows what's going on inside this head? I sure don't anymore. I'm still nervous, anxious, and making phobias (I guess they're phobias. I don't even know anymore) out of stupid stuff that I forget about or replace with something else the next day and it's still hard to begin fully focusing on things, but like I said before (I think) all that decreases or becomes less noticable and my mood gets better as the pressure in my head decreases. And the periods of little/no pressure have been becoming longer. Not long enough, but longer. The only reason I know it's progressing is because of the periods where there's little/no pressure in my head where I become the me I almost forgot about that was calm and could enjoy just about everything. I don't become COMPLETELY calm, but I feel like normalcy is around the corner. Unfortunately however, while typing this, this isn't one of those moments but I'm not giving up yet. I bought some St John's Wart to help raise my mood and some ginko biloba for alertness and concentration about a week ago, but I haven't taken either of them yet out of fear of experience side effects from those. And I don't need anymore side effects or another crash. Apparently, they work just fine for some people, but I'm skeptical about ingesting any drug right now, natural or not. Especially those that effect my mood. But, yeah. To all those going through the same, stay strong. I know I will.
User says
re: Wow, this is exactly what
Wow, this is exactly what happened to me! I knew it couldn't be anything but caffeine. I couldn't concentrate, started losing my memory, couldn't read or study and the more coffee I ingested the foggier my mind became. I started feeling sad and stupid and slipped into a deep depression so severe I contemplated suicide. I got the worst flu-like symptoms ever with the worst aches and pains. Slept for 15 hours and still didn't wake up refreshed. I visited the psychiatrist and she gave me Adderal and Ritalin thinking i had ADHD. I had the worst side effects ever that I thought about going to the ER a number of times. And I felt like my forehead was burning. I stopped seeing the psychiatrist and thought there was something physically wrong with me like a vitamin or a mineral deficiency because I began having the worst chills and numbness in my feet, along with dizziness and lightheadeness. She checked my bloodwork and everything came back normal. She also gave me antidepressant after andtidepressant that made my depression worse. I was hopeless. After reading Caffeine Blues and Welcome to the Dance I was determined that the doctors were wrong. My problems weren't psychological they were physiological. I was dependent on caffeine. And when I expressed this to them they thought I was nuts. So I decided to eliminate caffeine from my diet after ingesting it since I was 5 (I'm 21 now). It's day 25 and I feel so much better!!!! However, I'm still waiting for my concentration, focus and memory to come back.
User says
re: Keep it up!
You can do it! I too am going through your same symptoms... mornings are hardest for me. I catch myself doing headbobs and really wishing I could go take a nap. The anxiety is right there too, but from past experiences with that, though it seems hard to believe, it too shall pass. Enjoy the good things going on around you the best you can. I personally have found music to be a big help... best wishes.
Mike says
re: 20 yrs old, almost 21... withdrawal update
its soooooooo hard, im sooo fidgity.. i feel like shit im having hot/cold spells, i feel very fatigued, appitite level has gone done, probably losing weight.. motivation level has dropped, feel dizzy and foggy headed.. my whole body aches.. i think i've developed some anxiety, i went to the hospital about my heart palipations, turns out its probably from caffeine sensitivity, i forgot that i was caffeine sensitive.. soo my heart pumps faster than normal when i move around, so im taking some kind of medicine that blocks the adrenaline to my heart so it pumps normal.. this morning i woke up feeling very dizzy, foggy headed, and felt like throwing up, that seems to be going away.. i think i've had caffeine overdose? this is NOT fun!! but im doing it for my health, and i really need motivation support...
User says
re: Moments
Mornings seem to be the hardest for me. I wake up fine be slowly become very anxious and tense throughout the morning. Considering this is when I'd suck down the most caffeine of the day. It's like I'm not even my regular ambitious me. If I can make it through these tough morning fidgity anxious feelings I'll be on my way. =)
Your encouragement means a lot to me. Thank you. =)
flip-out wilson says
re: Congrats on your recovery
Congrats on your recovery from caffeine!
I think I will be a better help to my own family without all of the crazy anxiety, desperation, and melancholy that caffeine brings. This is an opportunity to be a more calming influence on our loved ones.
It is best for them.
All of the discomfort wil pass very soon, keep it up!
User says
re: day 3 Caffeine Reduction
Hi all - its day 3 for me - not total Cold Turkey - I have to get to work and so much on my plate - but the symptoms seem as severe as when I have gone totally off all tea and coffee in the past. Just a tea and a coffee in the morning (am thinking now that for a while a tea before bed may be the answer to temporarily staving off these early morning headaches). Woke again with a pounding headache - (all my sinusses - facial bones and eyeballs so painful) - this morning - the tea gave no relief - the 2 headache tablets didnt help either (I really don't want to take them - my body keeps telling me to avoid all drugs but the pain is too much) - off to the Cafe for a coffee with cream - was a bit like Heroin I think - despite my nausea I couldn't get it in quick enough. A headache still and 2 more nurofen have finaly quelled the pain.
I am thinking Cold Turkey may be the best way to go - but I can't quite get there. Cutting down slowly (from 10 plus teas and 3 plus coffees per day) just doesn't work for me either. I am guessing its my Liver thats causing all this discomfort? I am drinking heas of water - taking Nux Vomica (homeopathic) and trying to listen to what my body wants (yesterday it was Goji Berries and Salted Pistachios> If I could just take a tent into the forest and crawl up in a ball for a few days till I get through this it would be great. For now a modified version that fits in the real world will have to do.
DOES ANYONE HAVE AN COMMENT ON USING GREEN TEA WHEN GIVING UP CAFFEINE AND LATER ON
What is keeping me going is the memory of how fantastic I felt in the past when I gave up caffeine - how great my skin was - how high my energy was - how great I felt in the mornings on rising - how those dark lines under my eyes (which I still insist are "hereditary") totally disappeared.
Good Luck to all on this trip
Sun Cat
User says
re: I have the EXACT same stuff going on right now...
I mean exactly, the fatigue and depression, groggines, eyes not focusing quickly, anxiety, and some more anxiety.
I was drinking about 2-3 cans of Dr. Pepper a day with a big Starbucks Frapacinno on the side. (And I wonder why I'm feelilng like this?!?!?!) Anyways. I will stick to the game plan and I can't wait to feel the way you explained above. I'm a father of two young children and I want to be there for them for a long time. I keep telling myself it's worth it it's worth it it's worth it. Thanks again.
User says
re: Thank you!
I am going through the rough stages right now as well... yuck yuck yuck. No ambition, low energy, groggy, emotional, anxious, no appetite. I'm working hard to get through it. Thank you for your inspiration!
flip-out wilson says
re: I am at three weeks off of
I am at three weeks off of all caffeine, and boy, am I proud of myself. Best thing I've done in years.
My addiction was such: I have been a heavy consumer of coffee for thirty years, and my previous attempts at quitting only lasted a few months or so. I now know that I misunderstood the adjustment of my adrenal system as fatigue and depression, and I will not fall for any quick fix to feel normal again. My body cannot take the caffeine anymore, and I was starting to feel old and achy, which is not natural or necessary.
Every day now I awake with abudant energy, clear-headed and without the troubling anxiety. It is such a blessing! I truly feel like a teenager again, and I catch myself laughing more often.
Okay, here's the hard part: my cold-turkey withdrawals lasted over a week, with the leg aches being the worst. I was also constantly cold, sad, tired, and foggy-headed. My headeache lasted two days and was pounding right above my right eye, incessantly. It even made a sound--thump, thump, thump. My eyes could not focus well either.
But I tell you, it is worth it. Do this on a weekend, and prepare to stay in bed the whole time. This is serious.
You will feel ten years younger though, it is a fantastic cleansing.
User says
re: Caffeine reduction
Well this is not the first time I have attempted to drop tea and coffee. Yesterday morning, I had a friend muscle-test me for allergies (a Kinesiologist) as I am getting bloating and increasingly gripping abdominal pains. I tested up for no tea and dairy but OK for coffee. But I want to give up all caffeine. Have been a 10 a day type tea drinker since early childhood - and a couple of coffees (but lately in a new relationship have been having half a dozen coffees some days)
Have attempted and successfully given up a couple of times over the years - swearing to never start again - but I can really feel my health suffering now - so I want to put an end to it.
Day 1 yesterday - 1 tea with milk in the morning on rising (instant pain and bloating) and the decision to stop. Coffee with a bit of cream an hour later and nothing unpleasant felt all day. Wasn't too hard - just a little drowsy.
Day 2 today - woke with the worst headache - sinussy migraine - head feels like its going to explode - luckily no work till tonight. 1 tea with a tiny bit of milk - a coffee with cream a bit later - bloated tummy but nowhere near as bad as usual - trying to listen to my body - and the message is - AVOID DRUGS - but I succumbed mid-morning taking 2 headache pills. Snacked on Goji Berries and Pistachios (need salt!) - luckily I feel nauseous or i'd be haunting the health foods for some Organic Chocolate 9have been binging out on that too most days) - increasing my water intake (am very thirsty!) and only a mild headache by mid-afternoon. Its tea I am craving right now - not coffee.
I am determined to stick at this - lose those last 2 cups one day soon - and I am glad to find this board so I feel some support.
Suncat
Gina says
re: "Do you really think that..."
Yes I do...with all my heart, my soul, and my mind. I know it.
your a dumbass says
re: that's a pretty ignorant
that's a pretty ignorant statement to make...
User says
re: Do you really think that a
Do you really think that a universe-creating deity, if there were one, which there isn't, would really be interested in something as trivial as a gullible and deluded human being giving up coffee? Get a life, mate: after all, there is only one life and this is it so make the most of it and have a coffee. Or a beer. Anything.
Gina says
re: Day 15
No headache, mostly not foggy feeling or fuzzy brained. Starting to crave the coffee just for the drink....fighting that and sticking with water. Actually think I have lost about 10 pounds over the last 2 weeks due to no appitite going through all this. I hope that keeps up. My energy level is improving..a little at a time. I have been addicted to a computer game for 2 plus years that I could play for hours at a time sometimes. I haven't been able to sit still long enough to log on for more than 5 minutes(if even that) in the 3 days..before that I just felt too crummy to play. I actually feel pretty good. I agree with the previous post that said that the energy level stays the same all day now. No mid-morning drop off, no mid-afternoon drop off. I think the caffeine was sapping my energy. I've had chocolate(cake) (after the one I had the other morning)and it didn't seem to affect me. I didn't have much, though. I think I'm through it...took almost exactly 2 weeks.
User says
re: Day 12....better....
i just want you to know what wonderful blessings God has for you. when we are obedient and do what we feel like He is leading us to do it draws us closer to Him. I sensed God wanted me to give up my one cup of coffee in the morning it has taken me over 5 years to do it but this week I knew I had to because of health issues and I probably wouldn't have had these issues if I had been obedient in the beginning. I can't imagine having to give up a pot a day. But you have drawn strength from Him to do it and He has gotten you through it! I'm proud of you and I know He is too.
God Bless
Evergreen says
re: Sprite, 7-up, and drinks of
Sprite, 7-up, and drinks of that type are caffeine-free (mountain dew and its variants on the other hand, have some of the highest caffeine amounts for regular soda).
Most root beer is also caffeine free, with Barq's being the known exception. Anything you want to try, check the ingredients on the label and if they have caffeine it will be listed there.
User says
re: Day 12...better....
Ok, now 12 days into it. My headaches have mostly resolved. I have one during the day and ibuprofen takes care of it. The body pains and neck ache with pressure resolved about day 10. The neck(sharp pain with movement) resolved during the night last night(I didn't wake up with it). The nausia resolved last week. Today I have a haedache on the left temple...in my eyes a little...but it's different. Not the blinding pain that stayed exactly in the same place for a week plus. I'm still not really tuned into what's going on around me. It's less a fog than last week. It gets better daily. Hot baths help distract. I didn't have the panic attacks or anxiety that some of the others complained of, but again, I've barely left my house. I will never drink coffee..any caffinated drinks again. I will be very careful about my chocolate intake. (eg. My sons birthday cake this morning..his request for chocolate..and I couldn't not have a piece...but I took a very small piece..but I'm thinking that's the reason for this headache tonight) Now that the hard part is over...I have to find new beverages I like...hot ones...I've never drank anything but coffee. I quit smoking 4 years ago....that was less painful..in fact, I believe easier...I had smoked most of my adult life. I decided that nothing in this world should have a hold on me. I want my only ties to be to God and heavenly things...and to be addicted this firmly to anything, I felt took away part of me that could be blessed if I let it go. The end side of this is a wonderful couragious place to be. It's like when the kids stepped out of the wardrobe into narnia...I'm there...but my eyes just haven't adjusted to the light yet. I'm somewhere I've never been, and I can feel that there is adventure all around me waiting for me to open my eyes.
User says
re: This was the first post.......
Sat, 2007-11-10 21:38  Gina (not verified)
Withdrawals.....6 days
Well, I am caffeine free for 6 days now...I still feel like I'm dying. A headache in the same spot on my forehead radiating from my neck. Muscle pains..shooting through my joints. I did wake up out of the fog a couple of times today. Day 3 was my nausia and vomiting(horrendous) day..I'm taking phenergan and ibuprofen for the headaches and nausia. I have drank coffee since I was 3 or 4. Up to a pot a day or more most days by Jr high. I am 36 now, and I had thought about cutting it out, but hadn't tried due to the warning headaches I would get if I was 15 or 20 minutes late on my first cup of the day. Saturday and sunday I didn't feel well(upper resp/bronchitis) and by monday I felt so bad that I wasn't eating or drinking anything. I realized a couple of days into this that alot of what I was feeling was due to no caffeine. It's been 6 days now, surely this horrendous pounding headache and my bones hurting HAS to end. I'm sticking with it if it kills me.
that_fiend says
re: Nina, I am confused...have
Nina, I am confused...have you gone two weeks or two months without coffee?
nina says
re: coffee
hello, i just want to post a comment to let you all know that symptoms are getting better after two weeks of withdrawal. it is almost two months since i had a real, full cup of coffee. i went through a very hard time: symptoms like a flu, headache, lack of sleep, very nervous, unhappy. all of that is gone. i still miss coffee. the other day i had very small decaff late and i was so afraid to drink it. i was thinking about all symptoms i had. all i wanted was to be in a control of coffee habit and have it only when i really want it. good luck and congratulation.
Never Again says
re: I'm 22 and I've been going
I'm 22 and I've been going through caffeine withdrawal for about two weeks (well, about one in a half weeks if you count the couple pieces of chocolate I had a couple days into it...and the mixed drink I had a week into it) after only about two weeks of steady caffeine intake and I have to say that this withdrawal thing is definately a pain in the ass, man lol. It's easily #2 on the list of worst things I've ever been through and that's only trumped by a loss in the family. This has been rough, but this site helped me TREMENDOUSLY just by seeing that there were people going through the same thing. It's helped so much that I don't know how people who are going through this and HAVEN'T found the site are surviving cause I thought I was going insane.
First off, note that I don't like soda, I don't like coffee, and I just barely like tea, so prior to this, my caffeine intake was VERY small. Just a chocolate bar, chocolate shake, or cake with chocolate once every couple months or more. I wanted to get healthier so, in addition to running 30-60 mins everyday and working construction, I would make a bottle of green tea and drink that cause it's known to raise your metabolism. I did that for about a week until I remembered this stuff called Hot-Rox I bought a long time ago that was supposed to be a good metabolism booster, too, but I only took a few of them back then. I went and bought another bottle of Hot-Rox and started taking those instead of drinking the tea and, a few times, in addition to drinking the tea. I did that for about a week until I caught a cold and decided I wouldn't take any that day (I would take 4 tablets a day and I realized, after stopping, I took 28). That was Monday, October 29th. Little did I know that ingesting the equivalent of roughly 4 cups of coffee a day (the pills. I'm not even adding the week of green tea even though I probably should) at regular intervals for a week on an empty stomach when I've been virtually caffeine free my whole life and then stopping was a bad idea.
I was fine that whole day minus the cold, but the next day, Tuesday, I went to my friend's house that afternoon after work and out of NOWHERE it hit me like a ton of bricks tied to the front of a freight train carrying a dozen Mack trucks filled with a ton of bricks. All of a sudden, I felt absolutey drained and sleepy but, worse than that, I just lost all emotion and motivation to do anything. Which got me nervous and thinking all these negative thoughts. Aaand then the panic attack ensued. Thankfully, it was late, so I just said I was tired, drove home (somehow), and went to bed so I can spend the rest of the night wrestling with my mind while trying to sleep. The next couple days were almost just as bad. If I didn't have work and if my job wasn't as active as it was, I probably would've lost my mind, but I was completely fatigued and tired. I felt completely disassociated from reality. I didn't feel like I was really me. I felt kind of like a someone operating a body. I reacted emotionally to things, but I didn't feel like they were my genuine emotions. I just lost all interest in people, interactions with people, and all my favorite hobbies.
Thankfully, the first couple days were the worst of it. The tiredness and fatigue stopped after the first couple days pretty much. So did the feeling of dispersonalization even though for almost a week it kind of felt like I was "dreaming," so to speak. That's the best way I can describe it. That's gone, though. I was HIGHLY phobic and anxious for the first week. And I would find a reason to fear and become anxious about almost anything. That sucked. That's mostly gone. I've only had a couple headaches minus some feelings of head pain every now and then, but what seems to come and go instead of headaches is this feeling of pressure in the front and the side of my head along with dizziness. Sometimes the back, too. Like I said, it comes and goes. lol Mostly comes. But gradually it's been going a lot more often. Concentration is still tough, though. Even my own breathing and the thought of my own breathing distracts me sometimes along with other negative thoughts, but it's getting better. My concentration level seems to correlate with my mood and my enjoyment and involvement levels so as long as I'm doing something or enjoying something, my insanity subsides, but it takes a while to start fully focusing on most things and sometimes I drift back into the insanity. Talking with friends and family helps a lot especially since we constantly joke so that puts me in a better mood, but after the fun is over and it's just me and my mind it only takes a few minutes for my thoughts to start driftng again. My concentration also seems to get better when the feeling of pressure in head lowers. No aches or anything, but I do get these strange sensations that run up and down my body every now and then.
But, yeah. This is long and a lot longer than I anticipated it would be, but this site helped a lot and part of what helped a lot was reading that other people were feeling the same things as me so I just wanted to put as much detail as possible so other people who read this that're going through the same things can put their mind at ease even if it's just for a little while. I'll post an update (nowhere near as long as this) next week to let you guys know where I'm at. Good luck, people.
User says
re: That is exactly what I do.
That is exactly what I do. By varying my caffeine intake one day to the next you don't build up tolerance nearly as fast and so you can keep getting that wonderful caffeine high. I have been doing this for about a month and caffeine still feels wonderful. Until about a month in I felt vary little withdrawal symptoms but now I am starting to get headaches on all my non caffeine days. Might be time to stay clean for like a week and then go back to my normal schedule.
that_fiend says
re: you go girl...be brave and
you go girl...be brave and show us the way!
Gina says
re: Withdrawals.....6 days
Well, I am caffeine free for 6 days now...I still feel like I'm dying. A headache in the same spot on my forehead radiating from my neck. Muscle pains..shooting through my joints. I did wake up out of the fog a couple of times today. Day 3 was my nausia and vomiting(horrendous) day..I'm taking phenergan and ibuprofen for the headaches and nausia. I have drank coffee since I was 3 or 4. Up to a pot a day or more most days by Jr high. I am 36 now, and I had thought about cutting it out, but hadn't tried due to the warning headaches I would get if I was 15 or 20 minutes late on my first cup of the day. Saturday and sunday I didn't feel well(upper resp/bronchitis) and by monday I felt so bad that I wasn't eating or drinking anything. I realized a couple of days into this that alot of what I was feeling was due to no caffeine. It's been 6 days now, surely this horrendous pounding headache and my bones hurting HAS to end. I'm sticking with it if it kills me.
that_fiend says
re: well....I've found that
well....I've found that having even a little less or a bit more than I'm accustomed to will effect me very negatively...I will get headaches and feel shitty either way...
Jason says
re: Withdrawl
For several years now I have had difficulty concentrating, tired etc. I started drinking coffee about 3 years ago as well, and drank sodas before that. A doctor I talked to said that my coffee drinking habit (3 one day, none the next, three the next day at 4am etc) could cause my body to go through continuous withdrawland therefore continuous withdrawl symptoms.
Has anyone else experienced this with varying amounts of coffee drinking?
Done with Caffeine says
re: Probably not the end of withdrawal...Or Not
Hi, I just got off caffeine, its been about a month now. I feel better than before the withdrawal began. Energy level is good, not fuzzy headed any more, and no more headaches. For me the first 2 weeks were horrible, I thought I had the flu. It appears from talking to people and reading online that symptoms vary from person to person. Its seems like it takes about a month to get in the clear. John Hopkins Medical School has some good information on Caffeine withdrawal here:
http://www.caffeinedependence.org/caffeine_dependence.html
I found it useful info. Speaking from first hand experience...life is better without caffeine.
Erika says
re: caffeine/coffee withdrawal
I think you are past the worst of it. It's weird that you just wrote this question today because I was trying to confirm what I felt was really due to coffee withdrawal. I, too, ran out of coffe and would make my instant extra strong. I drank Starbucks all weekend and decided to go without Monday morning (and go back on Atkins to lose 5 pounds). By Monday night, I felt like I couldn't move without worsening the throbbing in my head. I only did Atkins that day, and have done it before with coffee, but never got sick from it. By 11pm, I was nauseated and got sick. I decided to stop the diet and eat crackers to ease my stomach . Tuesday morning (yesterday), I still had a slight, constant headache, but no nausea. Today, I almost feel normal but a little foggy and tired-no headache! Surprisingly, I'm not craving coffee and do not want to feel this way again. I think I'll make it an occasional treat instead of a daily necessity. Hope you feel better!
User says
re: Coffee..
For a couple of year's now I've been an avid coffee drinker. I would have 3 tablespoons of coffee into one cup, every single morning, until one morning I discovered I ran out of coffee.
I had thought about giving up coffee for a while, as it was starting to strip the enamel from my teeth, but could never bring myself round to doing in.
With this opportunity I decided, "What the heck, I'll give up coffee!".
It's only been 30 hours since by last coffee, but strangely enough, have had severe side effects, such as loss of concentration, "Foggy brain" and 24 hours without me have coffee, I had a pounding headache that it made me throw-up.
Can somebody tell me, does the withdrawal get even worse that this??
Rick says
re: Caffeine Withdrawal Back Ache
I had to write to say thanks for posting your description of your lower back and leg pain as a withdrawal symtom. I quit a week ago on Sunday and was not able to sleep at all for three nights due to the pain in the small of my back the radiated down both legs. I know the head aches were from the withdrawal but had never heard of the back aches. I found a reference in a medical journal about spinal fluid pressure and caffeine but it was vague as to the correlation. It took a full week before I was over all of the symtoms and I am feeling great now.
that_fiend says
re: That's VERY encouraging news
That's VERY encouraging news to hear and congratulations on your success!...if your notice any more positive changes in the future or realize any current ones, please keep us informed!
Jem says
re: Hi back.
I don't miss
Hi back.
I don't miss caffeine at all now. The chronic tiredness that I had for months has also gone and if I get tired during the day, it's just a normal tiredness that's relieved by sleep. I really would encourage people to persevere. The particularly nasty withdrawal effects seem to last about 2 weeks (and I used to do a LOT of caffeine) and the other effects may take longer but they diminish with time. On the whole I feel loads better and don't regret stopping one bit. Keep it up y'all.
Still Don't Feel Good says
re: Getting better day by day.
Thanks for the encouragement. Yes, slowly but surely I am feeling better. Yesterday was the best I have felt in months. While on caffeine I was up and down on energy throughout the day. I guess I thought a large part of it was the sugar. Now, while I think the sugar contributed I think the caffeine was the bigger culprit. I've noticed that even though I am now only entering week three my energy level throughout the day is consistent. I don't get sleepy after lunch anymore and I don't get to the place where I feel like I "must" have a mountain dew or coffee to keep going. I never thought I would give up those things but I am feeling so much better now there is no way I want to go back to the crutch of caffeine. I still feel a bit "jittery" sometimes, which was one of the first clues I had that it was withdrawal but...much better. Thanks for the post and the encouragement. To anyone else trying to give up caffeine or thinking about...do it, you'll thank yourself later...but...keep in mind it takes weeks in some cases to get the full benefit. Also, having experience what going "cold turkey" was like, I really wouldn't recommend it, cut back gradually, it make take longer but you'll reduce the
that_fiend says
re: hi Jem....are you continuing
hi Jem....are you continuing to make progress or noticing any new changes at 7 weeks?
Jem says
re: You need to stop ALL
You need to stop ALL caffeine for this to work. You should start to feel much better if you do this but it may take a while. Sorry. Some people think stopping the coffee will help but from my experience you have to go the whole hog. Including chocolate and anything else with caffeine.
Jem says
re: The headaches and aches
The headaches and aches should pass after a couple of weeks, I'd say. although they may come back occasionally. I'm coming up to 7 weeks and I feel loads better so keep it up: it's not that bad the longer you go and it's worth it. BUT it's not only dark chocolate you need to avoid, it's ALL chocolate and ALL caffeine.
dam cocoa cola says
re: withdrawing
Hi, Ive had like 3 glasses of coke in almost a month, I don't even want to no how much of the crap i was drinking. Anyways the headaches are going however come to mid week and im always always finding it hard to sleep even though im so tired. Is this because I have a glass on the weekends? That to me is the worst part heeeeeeeeelllllllllllllllllllllllllllllppppppppppp! I am so over tossing and turning! I went to bed 2 and a half hours ago and still not alseep any help would be so awesome and considered god like 🙂
Clare
Been There Done That says
re: I had the Same Thing
My experience with stopping cold turkey was also tired (really really tired - like having the flu), brain fog, depressed and cold. The cold was like the chills it affected my hands and feet. And yes, I thought I was sick at first because I didn't realize it was caffeine withdrawl. If the symptoms are too much you might consider gradually cutting back rather than stopping at once. If you have that option its much easier than cold turkey but it does take more time. I've been reading Caffeine Blues and the author indicates the full benefit of being off caffeine can take from 3 weeks to two months. I suppose it varies too from person to person and on how much caffeine you ingest daily. But he lists tons of benefits of being off the caffeine, that make it all worthwhile. I'm in my second week of being off of it and the symptoms are gradually going away it seems like. No headaches at this point and my energy is much better. Keep in mind I went cold turkey, I had the option of being home during this time if you have to work or go to school I really don't see how you could funtion going off of it all at once...I wouldnt have been able to.
Rez says
re: WITHDRAWL
ok so like i am 24 hour without caffeine. I have not ready any previous posts so forguve me. I am tired, sluggish and feel cold....my habds are cold. am i dying? is this normal help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
User says
re: Reply to still don't feel good
Hey I stopped about 5 days ago or so and I too am still having the symptoms. They are seeming to get a little better day by day . I quit because of an anxiety program so I was talking in some of the chat rooms there to see what others had to say and they did say it is hard but it is worth it so I am toughing it out. I also hope they go away soon but on average from what I've been told they last about 12 days or so, but iI guess it depends on the person I too still feel foggy, tired unmotivated, and actually maybe a little depressed. Also heightened anxiety is a symptom but it will pass from what I heard. From the research I have done I'm sure everyone knows caffeine and sugar for that matter is a stimulant. When your body gets used to it it has to readjust to not having that stimulation on a daily basis. I know it's tough and if you need someone to talk to for support I would be glad to be your listening ear if you are willing to be mine. You can e-mail me at illwun11@yahoo.com and we'll go from there. If not it is understandable but let me know. Take Care. D'Angelo
Still Don't Feel Good says
re: So...How Long Can I expect this....
So...in Sept. I started having "flu symptoms" tired, achy (a little) no energy, shakes. I got better then I got sick again. Finally went to see a doctor. Blood tests came back good. The next day I thought about how this seemed to be like withdrawal symptoms from drugs. I don't take drugs so I thought...hmm...I wonder if it's because I gave up caffeine. I found this site and voila! Discovered alot about caffeine I didn't know. I continued to read various sources and now I'm convinced I'm suffering withdrawal. I prolonged the experience because a couple of times I had coffee, mountain dew and dark chocolate. Now that I know whats causing it I've stopped all those things. So I'm headed into the second completely caffeine free week and I have one question for any an all who have been through this....how long can I expect to have withdrawal. Not that I'm complaining. The majority of the symptoms are past but I find my self...on edge, nervous feeling for no reason and still tired and unmotivated. Any advice/encouragement would be really welcomed right about now. Thanks!
Graham says
re: Gradual reduction
I've tried quitting caffeine a few times. The last time I simply stopped abruptly. I had quite bad withdrawal symtoms, though not as bad as some I've read about here. They were bad headaches, an aching neck and shoulders and "brain-fog" which lasted beyond the 10 days I was expecting having read up a bit about caffeine withdrawal. After a couple of weeks my resolve collapsed and I went back to coffee, drinking more than I did before I tried to quit.
This time I'm cutting down gradually. I'm down to one desert spoon of grounds a day which makes me one small cup. By the end of this week, I'll start going for increasing numbers of days with no caffeine at all.
So, how am I feeling doing it this way? It's difficult to quantify, but if I'm feeling any worse than before I started cutting down, it's not by much. I've had none of the awful headaches, muscle aches and feeling like I've got flu. Of course, the real test comes when my intake is down to zero.
Graham