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
Kim says
re: 6 days free
I am glad to find this forum. I am 6 days from no diet soda. I was up to about 16 cans of diet soda a day. I slowly went to 3 cans a day, then two and then one and then the last 6 days free. I am getting small headaches and I feel so tired -- I am drinking more water each day but I was wondering how long it might be before I felt not as tired as I do?
Thanks
Kim
User says
re: Foggy
It could be:
you just aren't drinking enough water. I have to use a straw bottle to get enough- i hate the squirt/sports bottles and hate sipping from a glass. I need WAY more water than just about anyone I know. My brother in law also noted that when his ears hurt he drinks water until he feels them "pop".
Caffeine works by dilating your blood vessels, therefore it's often prescribed for headaches and used in sinus meds. You may actually be allergic to a number of things, but because you've been on caffeine for so long you never "noticed" because the caffeine was keeping your sinuses (which are full of blood vessels) open. I would look for the regular allergens- pets, dust, dairy, citrus, eggs, wheat before you go digging too deep. It may be as simple as airing your house out daily, vaccuuming more often. Do not overlook the need for clean pillowcases- it's what you stick your face into for eight hours a day!
Are you exercising regularly? that usually opens everything right up for you for a while, which may reduce symptoms.
Chame says
re: Withdrawals
I have been going through all of these symptoms as well. Its been nearly 3 months since I quit, it's really like hell. I too had been taking a supplement, ripped fuel and hammering down 2 lattes a day. I had some palpitations in my chest and quit cold turkey. Needless to say I ended up in the ER with some major shaking and really bad headaches, anxiety, intestinal issues, etc. Still to this day nearly 3 months later I am still not quite right. Fatigued, pressure in head and ears, disoriented, etc. How long will this last? Please any help would be appreciated!
Chame says
re: I have all of these symptoms
I have all of these symptoms since I quit caffeine. I quit nearly 3 months ago and I still feel really foggy, disoriented, pressure in head and ears. Is this normal? Please any help would be great.
Chame says
re: withdrawals
Hi
Can the withdrawal symptoms last for 3 months. I took a workout supplement everyday which was one pill of caffeine and usually 2 lattes per day. I still feel really foggy, fullness in ears, pressure in head, etc, I have been through hell the past three months. Even the ER at first. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks
Chame says
re: Caffeine withdrawal
Ok, I quit drinking coffee nearly 3 months ago. I was also taking a supplement to workout with called ripped fuel which has caffeine too. I averaged a latte or 2 a day and one pill. Ever since I have quit them both I have felt pretty bad. I went trough the normal withdrawal stuff but even now I am constantly foggy, pressure in my ears, headaches, tired, etc. Can anyone tell me if this is normal? I'm a bit concerned that it may be something else. I am a 28 yr old male, if that helps to know. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Oh, I have taken sudafed and a antihistamine in thoughts that it may be sinuses or congestion and neither do much good at all.
User says
re: I can relate
I can relate to all of your symptoms. By the next day if I don't have my coffee I get the usual severe headache that will only go away with a little bit of caffeine. By day two I have the headache, irritability, I can't focus, my brain just feels like it is turned off, sometimes thinking of the right words to say is difficult because my brain is so clouded, but recently I have gotten the hot flashes too. I thought I was getting sick or didn't have enough water to drink but I am convinced now that it is the lack of caffeine. I get really hot then I feel like I am going to pass out but I never do. The heat is all over my body and my face gets red. My withdrawl usually lasts over a week. Drink lots of water and try not to do too much that week. If you have to drink a soda or something with a little caffeine in it and it will help a little. Thats the only advice I can give. Good luck.
Aquablue says
re: I was addicted to caffeine as well....
For me it worked by substituting coffe for ginseng and tulsi tea, which help your body stabilize.
Also I quit sugar and refined flour, for whole grains and honey.
Also to drink lots of purified water during the day.
And of course a nutritional back-up: omega 3, a high potency b complex, and antioxidants vitamin a, c and e.
Also the "zone" diet helps as a diet model.
Hope this helps, 🙂
User says
re: hot beverage
Try Teeccino for a coffee substitute. Or just use it's principal ingredient roasted chicory root which is what I use but with some peppermint as well.
User says
re: Help on how to get off caffeine
Viv
Great to see you're doing well and off caffeine for some time. I'm really struggling to get off it. I've got myself in this weird mindset where I think I have to stop cold turkey, yet within half a day of starting I start to feel so bad I go straight back on it and then the cycle repeats ad infinitum.
Can you offer any advice/experience on how you got off it ?
User says
re: Vic - How did you get off caffeine ?
Vic
Great to see you are off caffeine and have been for some time. I'm really struggling with getting free - the addiction and withdrawal are hideous - maybe if I could lock myself away for a week and do nothing I could get through it but with work, kids etc. I just don't seem to be able to stay off it.
I've got myself in this bad mindset that unless I quit cold turkey it won't work, so was really interested to see you saying cold turkey is a bad idea.
Can you tell me how you went about getting off it and how long it took you. Any other tips would be gratefully received !
Vic says
re: resisting the relapse
well, heck. WHERE did this feeling come from? 80+ days since I've had a cup of coffee...and I am feeling absolutely crazy today. LOTS of energy in my head invested in trying to talk me into going down the road for just a bit...and then there is the part saying "no, thank you" but it feels incredibly small today.
I suspect it is hormones. I woke up in the throes of a peri-menopausal hot flash/cold flash/morning sickness/emotional blah tornado...most of that has subsided but what is left is this intense, nagging, blinding headache and the craving for coffee.
Anyone else out there see any relationship between hormones & cravings for coffee?
so far, I'm staying strong...but today it seems less worth it somehow.
Vic
Vic says
re: to caffeine withdrawal and lower immunity...
Nope, everything I've read supports just the opposite...your immune system should be working stronger as a result of limiting the caffeine intake. However, be conscious that you have made a great change in how your body, your organs work...they are in a great state of transition as they adjust to your new way of functioning. This in itself, as we all know, is stressful, this transition thing. You have changed the chemical makeup of your body...and to this your body must adjust.
My suggestion would be to go to your local health food store, read what you can on immune support. Start taking acidopholus for sure! Look at some other possible supports to help your body detox and build itself in this new paradigm. Find a holistic or integrative doc, if you can. Drink LOTS of filtered water. Let yourself adjust.
Good luck.
V
Dave MM says
re: Congratulations!
Good to hear, Vic. It's awesome that you've made such positive changes in your life, and that you fully realize how positive the changes are. Make no mistake, you are a much happier and healthier person now. Best of luck in the future.
Leslie says
re: Caffeine withdrawal and lower immunity?
I was introduced to coffee, Pepsi and M&M's as a child. I started getting headaches as a teenager and never realized until I was around 40 that I was addicted to caffeine even back then. The headaches eventually turned into migraines which would only go away with a combination of tylenol and caffeine. The only time I was caffeine free was when I was either pregnant or nursing during my 20s. Oddly enough, I have very foggy memories of my college years and into my 20s. Even now, my husband will tell me I've been somewhere or seen a movie that I just have no recollection of. I can pick up a book I'm reading and often I'll have to go back a few pages or a few chapters to remind me who a particular character is in the book. (I should mention that I used Equal for most of my caffeine addiction over the years.)
Last November, after feeling like I just had no energy, no motivation, could barely keep my eyelids open most of the day even after having my morning cup (switched to sugar about a year earlier), I decided to give it up. At that point, I was drinking a 12 oz. cup of coffee in the morning, a cup of tea in the afternoon, and an occasional coke, maybe some chocolate candy once a week or so.
I gradually decreased my caffeine intake, and by early December I was caffeine free. I couldn't go cold turkey because I didn't want to trigger a migraine which would've thrown me back into the vicious cycle. The only symptoms I had was being irritable, weepy for no reason, depressed for no reason, but I felt great physically...
...until a few weeks later when I caught a flu that's still trying to hang on. It's been 3 weeks and this thing is relentless. Antibiotics helped, but they didn't knock it out completely. Before this, I may have caught a cold once a year or so which would end a couple days later. And, this morning I woke up feeling shaky and like I couldn't catch my breath.
My question is has anyone experienced a weakened immune system as a result of cutting out coffee? My white blood count was low at my annual physical. Is this a result of caffeine withdrawal? Will my memory improve if I lay off the caffeine permanently?
Thanks so much, and I'm sorry for such a long post but doctors have so little time to discuss things like this.
Denise says
re: Hi Felix
Hi Felix - I'm not sure if you are referring to me in your post, but please know that ALL of the crap you are feeling can be related to caffeine withdrawal. You are so young! Try to get off of the sodas - not only is the caffeine bad, but the soda is loaded with sugar! Are you drinking enough water? Best of luck to you! Hang in there.
Denise says
re: Hey Vic!
It's good to hear from you. Congratulations on your success! You're right - it seems like once we get rid of the caffeine demon, it's natural to start wanting to give up other unhealthy things like enriched flours, white sugar and other junk with no nutritional value.
LOL on your iced tea story. About a zillion posts back I noted that my body has become hyper-sensitive to caffeine now that I don't use it.
I still come to this website for support. I live in Wisconsin, and these freezing cold, gray days make me STILL want to brew up a pot of coffee. I'm going to attempt to post a link that I've also enjoyed - hope it works!
Anyway - best regards and please check back in once in a while!
Felix says
re: Caffiene withdrawal
hi there, sorry to single you out, but i have to ask you this becausae you may be able to help me., but first let me explain.
i'm 17 now- and like you, i was addicted to caffiene, drinking many cans of soda a day, and decided to stop roughly six months ago.
anyway, i began feeling long-term effects, for last 5 months;
anxiety, irritable, unable to concentrate, palpitations (most likely anxiety) depressed (although i am a teenager) mood swings, body aches, mostly in legs and upper arms, waking up in middle of night with pounding heart, and the list goes on.
now, i began drinking coffee for the first time and suddenly symptoms decrease draumatically.
anyway, the question was: did you feel any of these things?
the reason i ask is because this could either be severe caffiene withdrawal OR it's all anxiety and the coffee- high won't last
anyway you are under NO obligation to answer this, although if you could at least let me know if you can answer or not i would be forever in debt to you, as this is a very scary time in my life.
Vic says
re: coffee, candida and diet change
Hey folks! (especially all those folks who've been so supportive, like Dave and Denise)...
I am 60+ days out, coffee free.
Plus, three weeks ago I started a candida-free diet. No sugar...at all, except limited fruit. No refined flours, especially those most commonly used like wheat, corn. No vinegar, or sauces made with vinegar.
WOW!! I am more energized, most emotionally stable and positive, more calm, more motivated than I can remember being in years.
Anyone else exploring the coffee addiction/sugar addiction/yeast addiction thing and trying to break the other ones, besides coffee?
And to all of you out there at the beginning. It really DOES get better. But damn, folks ,don't try cold turkey. You are just setting yourself up to fail. This isn't some damn competition. Ease yourself away from it like it is some gnarly wild animal, don't try to face it down barehanded!! Remember, your body has been living with that stuff in its system for however long you've been drinking it...be kind to your body, give it time to adjust, let your adrenals get regulated to the new environment, let your immune system catch up with itself!
30 days was the benchmark for me. After 30 days I noticed a DRASTIC reduction of cravings, although they still occasionally hit, although they are more psychological than physical.
Funny story: last week I went out with friends for dinner. Keep in mind all the food restrictions I'm choosing, so I'm ordering my meal and I think, ok, no beer, no wine, no soda, not really wanting water...oh, i'll get iced tea.
Great idea, except that I'd been almost completely caffeine free for over month. The stuff hit me like high octane fuel, i was FLYING!!! I finally was able to go to sleep at THREE in the morning. Guess the stuff gets more potent when you've detoxed it from your system.
So, be well, folks. Take care of yourself while you are learning to take care of yourself!
Vic
Vic says
re: CAPTCHA
yes, this is the most difficult CAPTCHA I have ever encountered. It usually takes at least three attempts to correctly translate what it is.
Joe says
re: Headaches
I've had migraines for most of my adult life, 20+ years. I discovered about 8 years ago that caffeine was a trigger. I had been having lots of coffee for several years, my cup was never empty. I then quit cold turkey and was very ill, vomiting and migraine (the worst part of the headaches last for a day and half, then have minor headache for two more days). I really like a hot beverage in the morning, and have slipped back into drinking coffee at least two times. Each time I was ill, on one occasion vomiting again. I believe that now I am hypersensitive to coffee. If I have a coffee half-caff more than two days in a row, I will get a major headache. I have struggled controlling my caffeine intake as it is so many things. When I stay away from coffee I am migraine free.
I am searching for a hot caffeine free drink to have in the morning. One side benefit is that I have very few dental problems now, I have completely stop drinking soft drinks, typically have water.
Joe
guest says
re: It's not so much having a
It's not so much having a Captcha but this one in particular is difficult. I often can't even tell if it's a letter or a number and have to try a few times to get the post to go through. Or at least it was this way in the past as I haven't posted here in awhile.
MJ says
re: Off Caffeine - It's worth it
I've been off caffeine since early December. I decided to quit after having my teeth whitened. You can expect headaches, intense urges for sodas/coffee/chocolate and bad moods.
I used Excedrin Migraine for the first week to get rid of the headaches since it has caffeine and then switched to Ibuprofen for the remainder of the withdrawl.
Now that I am off caffeine I seep better and have more energy throughout the day. I do miss the taste of chocolate and coffee but I don't miss the addiction!
I've also been monitoring my RHR and max HR during rest and exercise. You would be amazed how much your heart rate drops after you're off caffeine. My RHR is in the low 50s now which is supposed to be "excellent."
Hang in there.
MJ
Daniel says
re: RE: Captcha is difficult.
Much like the annoyance of delayed manual approval of postings I know the Captcha probably turns some people away. Unfortunately the amount of spam without both is unacceptable. Put simply yes it is bad but the alternative is worse.
To the best of my knowledge there is not a way to subscribe to comments in a given subject. That would be a nice feature and I know some software has it but the software I use doesn't.
lm says
re: Can't wait for the headaches to pass!
Well, reading the comments have given me some comfort in knowing that there are others out there with the same symptoms!
I have never really been a soda drinker but I am definitely a coffee drinker. I started a 21 day fast yesterday which included eliminating coffee and tea from my diet. It was a hard thing to do since the first thing I'd do everymorning was to start that coffee pot!
Honestly though, it became evident to me about a week and a half ago that I needed to really cut back or eliminate caffiene. I had been drinking more coffee than usual due to my hectic schedule (I work full time and I am pursuing my doctorates). Finals were coming up so of course I was drinking more coffee. Then, I traveled south for the holidays and every stop we made, I got a cup of coffee. Well, last week for the first time ever I had woke up with what I think was acid reflux. It NEVER happened before but the last thing I had that night was coffee. Then the next day it happened again after I drank a cup of coffee at work. That was when I realized it was time!
This is now day two for me. I slept almost 12 hours last night! Something that I NEVER do! Not sure if that is a side effect or not.
I still feel sluggish today and I've got a headache. I do feel irritable too which is probably why my staff has been avoiding me! My boss has been avoiding me too for that matter! LOL
Well, I do hope these symptoms subside. Good luck everyone. I know healthwise this is the best decision I could make.
Matt says
re: Captcha is difficult....limiting the number of postings.
Daniel,
Great message board. The CAPTCHA that we're forced to answer is too difficult and likely results in a lot of people not posting. I've written responses before and given up after incorrectly answering the captcha 5 or so times. Is there any way you can make it work better? For example, I've now entered the code incorrectly 4 times just to post this.
Also, is there a setting to be automatically emailed any time someone posts to this topic?
Thanks again for hosting this message board....
Matt
Denise says
re: Hi ck - I hope you are
Hi ck - I hope you are feeling better and able to stick to your resolution. I noted that you have Celiac's Disease, which is very rough to deal with. Have you noticed an improvement without the caffeine? I know that Celiac's Disease (leaky gut) can cause many health problems and is, in fact, something that may be part of my own nightmare - a suspected (not diagnosed yet) case of MS. I don't have all the symptoms normally associated with MS, but do have balance and walking issues. Not to get into a long horror story - I just wanted to say that eliminating caffeine is definitely a smart thing to do. Good luck to you.
User says
re: This is day four of no
This is day four of no caffeine for me. I've been a caffeine junkie for 17 years now and today was the first day I can remember waking up without a brain fog and fumbling for a can of doubleshot or the coffeepot. My usual routine was 2-3 12 oz cups of coffee or a tripleshot mocha. Sometimes if I was in a hurry, I'd grab a redbull or a can of good old starsucks doubleshot to get going. Later on I often had a diet soda with a meal or as a pickmeup in the afternoon when my energy would dip. And there were the occasional evening espressos too.
I live where coffee culture is very rampant and there is a shop on every corner. Nobody ever told me that my symptoms would not just be the headache that I drank coffee to stave off. Body aches, tremor, stiffness, neckpain, even my sinuses hurt. I thought I had the flu for awhile.
My adrenal gland is likely shot and I'm trying to baby it as much as possible. While I woke up amazingly clear this morning, the fog settled in later on. Anyone else experiencing that?
User says
re: palpitations
Yes, I have. The thing that helped me was Magnesium. Palpitations and panic attacks seem to be linked to low magnesium. I used magnesium lotion which increases the intercellular levels of magnesium much faster. Ialso took magnesium citrate supplements, but now I just use the magnesium oil . I'm not sure what the connection to caffeine is, but when I was having these problems, if I drank coffee my symptoms were worse. So I had to stop drinking coffee for a while. ( Should have stayed off it) .
Hope this helps!
Issis says
re: Caffeine Withdrawal
I quit caffeine about 8 years ago the first time after a Reiki Massage and Detox....OMG...I thought I was dying and became suicidal...I lost my vision at one point from anxiety....went to tons of doctors who knew nothing...I also had quit smoking weed and so I thought it was withdrawal from that..never gave it a second thought until about 2 years ago when I was reading and article on caffeine psychosis and all my symptoms were there...waking up at the same time every morning, crazy dreams, nausea and vomiting, could not eat anything, dizziness and tightness in my head, sensitivity to fluorescent lights, severe anxiety attacks, crying for no reason....I went to work everyday regardless because I felt better than being at home...My reiki master told me to take B12 vitamins, a monthly vitamin, drink tons of water, valerian tea, chamomile tea and lemon water concoction in the morning,,after a month...I felt incredible and in one day I woke up at like noon...after waking up consistently at 6:33 am for a month...and everything felt normal again...I was doing great for 2 years not knowing it was from caffeine...even worked at starbucks for a year..never drank coffee...but then I went back to school and starting drinking it again to keep me awake...and drank about 2 to 3 Venti Iced White Mocha Quad shot Americanos EVERYDAY.....well after educating myself on its affects and withdrawals in October of this year I started weening myself off and here I am 3 months later and I feel great...or greater I should say,,,lots of headaches but I remembered to drink water and eat right, take vitamins. Good Luck Kickin the habit.
User says
re: I have. I also have anxiety
I have. I also have anxiety issues. Nothing serious and mostly controlled but I've been "on edge" since fasting diet coke 3 days ago. By doing that I haven't really had much caffeine cause I've been drinking water. I'm unable to sleep and my anxiety has hightened some. What I notice is having a little caffeine helps. Usually I drink mostly Caffeine Free Diet Coke and mix a little regular in to. Also use the coping skills you know to ease your anxiety. It will all pass in a few days. Just be consistant one way or another so your anxiety knows how to respond.
User says
re: Stopped Pepsi Cold Turkey
My New Years resolution was to give up caffeine/soda. I drink about 5 or 6 a day. I have Celiac's Disease and can't eat most foods with gluten (virtually everything), so the one thing I can indulge is soda. I am a small woman (5", 2") and 110lbs, so don't have to worry about weight, but wanted to quit for health reasons. Well, I am glad my husband is away on business. Headaches, body aches, irritiable, depressed, mood swings, hard to concentrate at work. I am glad to hear there is light at the end of the tunnel. I have kept my resolve and stayed away from soda. When I make it through this, I amnot going back.
ck
Steve says
re: Caffeine? or Aspartame
I didn't read every single one of the comments, but of the many I did read, it seemed that most spoke of giving up Coke or Pepsi. Many also spoke of giving up caffeinated coffee, some replacing with water or other beverage.
I wondered, however, how many left off the word "diet" in describing what they drank, and how many, when they ceased coffee altogether, had been using Equal or similar aspartame sweetners and as a by-product was giving up aspartame as well.
There's no argument that caffeine is an addictive drug, but here's my point: 15 years ago after reading quite a bit about aspartame, I gave up diet sodas (I've since been drinking nothing but water as my cold beverage) and I stopped using Equal to sweeten my coffee.
Within about a week or so of going cold turkey I was in pain. My joints hurt and my doctor was convinced it was Rheumatism, although at 55, I never had signs of it before. I also had severe anxiety which the doc attributed to worry about the pain source. The anxiety subsided within a few weeks, but the pain stayed with me for nearly a year. Nothing in any blood tests indicated any rheumatic causes.
Since I never stopped the caffeine, it seemed clear to me that the problem was possibly related to the aspartame.
rianson says
re: Can anyone relate to this?
Hi everyone
Wondered if anyone out there has had similar experience to me?
I have been a 'tea monster' all my life virtually, I would drink tea on the hour, every hour. The odd coffee, lots of chocolate and coke. I soon worked out that if I stopped eating/drinking this way it made me ill (headaches mainly).
Anyhow, a few months ago, hubby and I decided to do a detox. Big mistake! by 8 pm that day my head burned and I threw up. I knew I needed a cup of tea to make me feel better and it did!
At this point I knew I had to get myself off the caffeine... so I've gradually cut down and now only consume decaffinated drinks.
This is my dilemma.. I'd been having anxiety problems/panic attacks for a couple of years now; but they were kind of under control. Over the Christmas period I relaxed my eating habits back to my old ways. I soon noticed I was getting a lot of palpitations...so I got myself off the caffeine again. Second night into this I woke up in the middle of the night ... palpitations and a head rush kind of feeling that kept coming over me in waves... then major panic... hot flashes sweeping my body and even my feet were hot/tingling. Hubby helped me to calm down and could see it was only panic. I've felt jittery since but I now feel a bit better/clearly.
Has anybody experinced anything similar??
Many Thanks
R x
User says
re: Success!
I drink a few cups of decaf tea or coffee for there antioxidants which are wonderful and avoid all of the caffeine. I quit abusing caffeine when I was 20 years old and now I'm 32. It was absolutely one of the best decisions I have ever made. When I quit I took back my life and all of the decisions. Caffeine pushes us to make decisions we would not normally make, we are, when on caffeine, out of our self control. Self control is a major player in being successful. So, quit caffeine, your self control and confidence increases, and you without a doubt will make better decisions for yourself which will lead to a more successful life. Get the drug out of your life and become you again. Because "you" can acomplish anything you want.
User says
re: Oh Ya!, it's better alright
I have been off of caffeine ( exept for a little cocoa, which I make with hersheys cocoa which isn't alkalized, which takes a lot of the antioxidants out of it.) for about 12 years and during those years I have felt completly in control of myself. Life is more intense when your off of caffeine. Some people take this as a bad thing but it's not. Anything that is more difficult will ultimately be better in the end. We are talking about how you feel everything around you on a daily basis. When I'm off of caffeine I spend more time controling my life and less time trying to control others peoples lives. When your'e off of caffeine, what you see is what you get. It's a perfect world( not in the sense of one's perception of happines, but everything is the way it has to be acording to what is going on to percipitate those things ) when your'e not on anything. When most of the world is addicted to drugs, the world will always be mostly a mess. But if you're the one thing that is'nt messed up from the drugs you're the one hope for the future. The one hope, is that not enough to be worth it. It is for me. When we are not on caffeine we look at people who are on their highs and seem to think we are not happy because we do not seem to be as happy as those on their temporary highs. But I know that's all it is and what I have is everlasting.
Denise says
re: Thank You, Daniel
Thank you for not censoring those of us who are trying to, or have successfully beat caffeine addiction. I've finally given it up for good (yeah!!) and am happy to report that once I got through the first two months, I feel like a new person. A lot of little aches and pains are gone, I have unbelievable energy that doesn't fade in the afternoon like it did when I drank coffee and my skin looks beautiful. I weight train and I've also found that I can concentrate much more clearly and I "feel" the weights more than I did before - it's as if my now-clean body is working much more in tune with my brain. That probably doesn't make sense, but it's the closest I can come to describing my experience. My body is definitely happier without the caffeine drug.
Happy New Year, Daniel - to you and everyone else on this board. 🙂
Sean (unregistered) says
re: I've enjoyed reading
I've enjoyed reading everyone's stories and thought I would add my own. I gave up caffeine as my New Year's resolution. I decided to give it up because I felt like a hypocrite telling my son to not eat chocolate and sodas. Usually I drink a 16 oz coffee once I arrive at work and a Diet Pepsi at about 2 pm. Not a ton, but enough to disturb my sleep pattern. On Day 1, I fell asleep early but otherwise felt OK. On Day 2, I started to feel a little grouchy. Interestingly, I had difficulty speaking enthusiastically at a dinner party that night, as if I couldn't be bothered! Today is Day 3 and I had a horrible sleep due to muscle aches in my hip and knee, both of which hurt a little from running. It seems I'm looking to do things that will improve my mood, like surfing the internet on a Sunday morning (quite unlike me!).
Good luck everyone!
User says
re: On day 3 and miserable
I've been put on a restricted diet, no caffeinne and no chocolate, among other things and have been a heavy coffee drinker for 3 years (caffeinne my entire life but just real heavy on the coffee the last three years) including 4 to 5 cups in the morning and a tall venti triple latte in the afternoon. I also would partake in the occasional cup of tea, pepsi and chocolate. I had no idea how much I was putting in my body everyday. With that being said, I am having a very hard time. It is nice to know I'm not alone. I have no energy, my head aches as well as my entire body and I have no energy. I want to get up and do some things.......but I just cant seem to get up and do anything!
Daniel says
re: RE: how incredibly funny...
I have found the irony in this myself and I own the site but hey I'm happy if people find it useful either way. I'm not going to censor except the spam.
Daniel
Vic says
re: how incredibly funny...
this website is a coffee PROMOTION website. I just noticed that ALL of the ads are promoting caffeine. Is it possible that they don't read the comments? Is it possible they haven't realized yet that these comments promote all the reasons to STOP drinking coffee and caffeine?
Ah, how ironic...
Happy new Year everyone! May it be a lovely caffeine, sugar free experience...rock on the health aspect!
V
Vic says
re: You are not alone.
You are not alone.
Subcarpathian (Poland) says
re: My storry
I've been completely off caffeine for 4 months now.
I stopped drinking caffe, tea, soda, eating chocolade. I was sick. Headaches, muscle aches, muscle twitching, cold-sweats, shivering, stomach upset, diarrhea, panic-attacks, my muscles hurt, brain fog. The headaches went away after a week. The muscle aches and chills, went away after a few weeks. After a three months the nausea and diarrhea went away, but a litlle brain fog im steel feeling. After a three month i noticed i can wake up easily in the morning.
User says
re: Unaware Addiction
I recently had jaw surgery which required my mouth being wired shut and me to not consume carbonated beverages. Furthermore, I have been placed on a full liquid diet for the next 4 weeks my mouth is wired shut. About 3 days after my surgery I was having some intense pains. I couldn't figure out what was causing my stomach to have such bad pains either. It was one thing to have pain in your face from surgery and another to have your entire body seize up every time you put another medication or food into it. After calling the on-call doctor and the attending at a hospital (wife's a nurse) we came to a few conclusions. The blood in my stomach was causing some of my stomach problems and it would take a few weeks for my nose to stop bleeding as a result of the intubation. Also we figured out that the most likely cause of my problems was the pain meds. Therefore I went the entire day without taking any pain meds (this is 4 days post op from an upper and lower jaw surgery). My pain level was at a 7/8 out of 10 in my face and I was hurling myself on the ground. Any medications I took just made my body want to seize up and my stomach would just contract and want to vomit anything that went in. I was at a point of asking wife to put me out of my misery or take me to the Emergency Room. I couldn't take down my liquids (foods) or medicines. Finally, I thought I want some Diet Coke. Then asked my wife how much caffeine was in diet coke and could I be going through withdraw symptoms? She googled it and found that if I was experiencing such things, I must have some of the most severe there are. She crushed up 2 Excedrin Migraines and gave that to me with some pain medication. Within about an hour my body stopped feeling like it was convulsing and quitting on me. I managed to take all of my evening meds this afternoon. I also managed to take down my food (chicken broth). Although, I now have a stomach that is merely rumbeling, it is not convulsing and trying to shut my body down.
For a personal note, I usually consume about 3 - 20oz diet cokes a day, if I am home by myself I can easily go through 2-2 liter bottles in a day.
So for those of you experiencing withdraw symptoms or needing to quit take this seriously. Hopefully, my current excedrin regiment will take care of my issues.
Charlie says
re: PEPSI stopped cold turkey, HELP!!!
I stopped drinking pepsi a month ago after a kidney stone. I stopped cold turkey after over 20 years of drinking it with almost every meal. I didnt know that caffeine withdrawal was real. I now suffer from almost all the symptoms esp. the anxiety and depression. I wake up every morning around 6:13 am and my heart is racing and it calms down once Im up but Im so freakin tired now! Loss appetite, loss weight, paranoid sometimes,sometimes i just want to cry for no reason which lead my to believe I was suffering from Kundalini rising again( google it) I started drinking a pepsi once every few days to see if its that and sure enough its the caffeine. My wife said that its a drug but I didnt want to believe that i was addicted to it. Now I know, This is a serious drug and its a serious withdrawal. in still going through the withdrawal symptoms but feel better that I understand it more and realize that Im not dying. I wish us all the best with the recovery!! Lets support each other!!!
Charlie says
re: Anyone else had these experiences?
OMG! I m having those experiences! Im 41 years old and I have been drinking pepsi with every meal since I was a kid and recently was in the hospital with a kidney stone. After that I stopped pepsi cold turkey! BAD MOVE!! 2 weeks ago I woke up with anxiety,depression and panic attacks! I thought i was going insane and going to die. some days I feel better than others but its a mess!! I hope to get back to myself soon!! Lets hang in there!!!
Jerry says
re: day two I'm hurting
I've been going to Starbucks twice a day for the last 3 years getting a venti iced Starbucks double shot. I was getting ready to hit the gym, and I just got this heavy headache. Been laying down all day. I wanna stop drinking coffee and be able to live with out it and save some money. I'm hoping it gets better. Googled up coffee with drawls and found out I'm not alone.
LeJ says
re: "Quit" 6 years ago
I grew up in New Orleans where Cafe au Lait is commonplace. I had my first cup (mostly milk with a hefty amount of sugar) when I was probably 8 or 9. Unlike some of the posters, I've always liked the taste of coffee. I drank it in high school (70s) and began to "use" it in college. After that, the motivation for its consumption is nebulous-- In grad school in Texas, we had a large percolator type coffee pot which brewed something tasting like shredded cardboard. At any rate, I drank varying amounts for years and years.
About 6 years ago I went on a "cleanse" diet. Hunger was not an issue, but what was definitely an issue was the caffeine withdrawal-- major headaches, joint aches, and a bizarre combination of fatigue and agitation. At that point I was drinking probably two and a half 20 ounce mugs of coffee per day, sometimes supplemented by diet Coke or Pepsi. Given the symptoms, I realized something was *way* wrong with this story, and decided to continue to QUIT cold turkey.
Major symptoms were gone in about a week. After that, I felt tired and sluggish often, but with very moderate exercise (like taking a walk!) and eating fruit periodically during the day, the sluggishness faded. Interestingly, after I was "off" caffeine for several months, I inadvertently ate some trail mix containing M&Ms. I shot through the roof. Since then, I've discovered how to moderate chocolate (which I can no longer eat any time after mid afternoon if I have any hope of sleeping through the night).
I now occasionally enjoy a cup of tea, usually herbal though, and almost always have a cup-a-joe with Sunday brunch. This unfortunately leads to a bad night's sleep to start the week. I could probably avoid this, but somehow the omlette tastes better with a nice brew. We shall see.
Moderation is the ticket. Wishing all well.
Gary says
re: Energy Drinks
Sounds like me before I got diagnosed with Narcolepsy, I have been addicted to energy drinks and caffeine since high school... increasing amounts to the point that I had hit 18 servings plus (instant coffee in smoothies) dumb dumb dumb, I stopped counting at that point.
One of the things that I found is that energy drinks also have the benefit of B-vitamins and other amino acids and I noticed that when I dropped the energy drinks I had a worse withdrawal period with that in it then just caffeine. Vitamin B-3 in the form of Niacinamide can build up in the system and mimic manic depression. (hypersomnia is a symptom of it)
My reccomendation is find a B vitamin supplement... with a reasonable amount of b-vitamins (use a low amount of regular niacin so you don't get itchy and flushed) and get some complex carbs and protein for each meal.
J says
re: Two Days into the process..
Hi All,
I'm quitting the bean and I'm two days into the process. I was drinking one "tall" coffee per day (occassionally another 1/2 cup in the afternoon). I have been doing this for quite some time. Except for a month off (probably twice over the last 10 years), I have drank a full 12 ounce cup (and occasionally more) every day. I really told myself that I needed this drug in order to be "enough" for my job, the world, etc... The effects of that need have left me with fear, anxiety, nervousness, depression, indigestion, poor sleep and a lack of peace and contentment in my life.
I began drinking coffee as a nursing student to be able to work the long hours and before exams. I really hated the taste and that was the last time that I remember feeling really "good" just before I got the coffee habit.
I know that I can completely "decaffeinate" this time. I'm so ready to feel like my real self again......who I really am. Isn't it sad that we as a culture feel so pressured to accept this type of mood altering and behavior changing drug as a normal, acceptable and most of all "expected" way to make ourselves be someone that we're not??
Anyway, I'm really glad to read all of your stories on this site. It's encouraging and strengthening.
I've started feeling tired, achy and my awareness is altered (kinda foggy)...........I know it's all worth it to have that well being back that I remember so well before the "brew" got hold of me......
Thanks everyone....