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
User says
re: I found out I was pregnant
I found out I was pregnant and cut out coffee & caffeine cold-turkey a few weeks ago. About 2 weeks ago I started getting the standard morning sickness and nausea from many different foods. But then a few days later it hit hard and I couldn't keep anything down! The nausea, vomiting, aching, lethargy etc... was the most excruciating thing I've ever gone through, and being so tired I could barely get out of bed or do anything was just awful.
Obviously being pregnant and the nausea go hand-in-hand, but I had never thought about caffeine withdrawal. Given that for over a week I was too exhausted to do anything I'm wondering if no coffee had something to do with it. And I'm wondering if cutting it out cold-turkey triggered the hard hitting vomit-fest.
It's been several weeks without coffee, and today is the first day I've actually thought about leaving the house.
Sheila says
re: WOW- so glad to know this
WOW- so glad to know this isn't in my head! I knew I was adicted to caffeine, but had no idea how bad it really had a hold on me. It is only day 2 and I feel like I could just pass out in my chair. I can't concentrate and just want to go crawl in bed. No motivation. I am hoping it gets better soon.
emily says
re: coffee and haedache
I just started to notice that my headaches are do to withdraw when ever i would not drink my coffee around the time I usually do I would start to get this headache. I have two toddlers and I would find myself saying I am going to make coffee in a minute and I just wouldn't get that chance and my head would start to hurt and it would hurt all day, neck pain, shoulder pain and i would be so cranky only coffee would make me feel better. Today I woke up with a headache and I decided do drink less coffee but my head still hurts. I'm just going to take something for the headache and no more coffee for today. 9-8-10
Kc says
re: Killing ME
I have not have soda or tea for 4 days now . For the last four days I have been suffering the worst headaches I have had in my life . Today I almost vomited when trying to eat dinner. Im use to downing one litters of pepsi and Brisk teas.With out it its been driving me nuts . Even now I wanna grab the keys and head to the nearest gas station and feel up on caffeine because I know im on E .
Another Kim says
re: Don't give up! I'll be
Don't give up! I'll be checking to see your sucess on the 20th. You will feel better! My goal is to make it for 6 weeks and record how I feel. I have been keeping a daily journal of headaches, depressed feelings, anxiety. I definately see a SLOW pattern of getting well. At week 3 I am seeing some major changes.
Another Kim says
re: Don't drink the joe!! 🙂
Don't drink the joe!! 🙂 After 3 weeks my anxietys are FINALLY subsiding. I've added some exercise and keep drinking lots of water. I like to imagine my brain getting healthier. All those blood vessels constricted from caffeine use are opening up and allowing more blood to my poor tired brain. More blood carrying more oxygen through exercise and I'm literally becoming a new person. Had a blast tonight joking around with my kids!
User says
re: Coffee makes me sick
I have been drinking coffee every working day for the past 15 years.
I have this pain at my legs, hands and back at night. I am a Chinese Traditional Doctor,
no matter what herbs I take, the caffeine intoxication just make me feel worst.
Once, I stopped coffee for 8 months, I feel great without any pain. After that
I resume back the coffee due to the "great taste". I will stay away from
coffee from now onwards. 9/9/2010 9.00 AM !
lawise says
re: day four -- will I survive?
I'm surprised no one here mentioned the abuse of fat burners... Now that I've decided to quit all my caffeine abuse, I'm openly sharing my weird habit. I was taking fat burners (2x 250mg, 3 times a day) as prescribed on the package along with coffee and other energy drinks later in the day. I would say that daily my intake was easily 1500 to 2500 mg a day. Oddly, I was often out of energy and became a serial napper; often napping every single night when I got home from work. Needless to say I was experiencing some awful symptoms, similar to burnout, due to the frantic pace I was demanding from my body. The frenzy needed to stop. The ups and downs were getting sharper and I found myself often drinking energy drinks before bed, or after 11 pm.... because the effects were so diminished because of my monster tolerance.
I find it very strange that what I was doing was more or less accepted by society, and perfectly legal. I reread the labels on the fat burners and I'm shocked that his is what they prescribe!
I'm on day four cold turkey no pain killers, symptoms include: worst constant headache of my life, nausea, inability to read, watch TV or eat, intense neck pain, back pain, and the strangest lethargy, I don't want to do ANYTHING. I am literally bed bound staring at the ceiling.
I feel embarrassed I would let it get to this. I feel like I need help, but I know doctors will laugh at me or just tell me to ride it out. I suppose it's the only option I've got. Then I read your stories and I feel better. I'm giving it a full 30 days and then I will decide if my life had gotten any easier from this decision. I will write September 20th as a check in and October 6th to see if it made any sense at all to do this to myself.
Gene says
re: Caffeine
The headache wasn't from withdrawal it was from the caffeine. I know a few people who don't drink coffee because it gives them headaches. Energy drinks have lots of caffeine; a small cup of coffee probably wouldn't have resulted in a headache. I remember getting headaches if I drank a couple cups of strong coffee. I do about 4 cups a day now, and I think its time to quit.
BusyMom says
re: Day 3
HANG IN THERE!
Day 3- So on the first day of journey, and my body was totally aware that “something†was different. The normal sludge that I would consume before noon was replaced with cool, refreshing, tasteless water. Mmmm. The second day was pretty much the same. I have had little or no energy, nervous shakes, cranky mood swings, and headaches. Shakes I can manage, but it's that one nervous arm jerk which sent 40 ounces of liquid hurling across my desk drowning my days work which made me a bit irritated. It came out of no where! Needless to say, I am finding it hard to function at work. My focus is a tad off too. I feel somewhat withdrawn from the desire to accomplish anything. I dread the inevitable oncoming freight train of a headache that I will most likely have by this evening. I will make sure I drink plenty of water before then it seems to help with the headaches. I am determined to stick with it! Hopeful that I will feel some relief in a week…Here's to a new year free from caffeine!
User says
re: good for you
me i have stop drink caffine drinks for over a year and continueing. but to tell you the truth i still fell like im dieing and i also dont smoke or drink beer or do drugs.
User says
re: Caffeine Withdrawal
One symptom that they don't mention very often is depression. I was addicted to caffeine (coke and coffee) and was drinking at least 3 cups/day. When I stopped "cold turkey", I not only experienced headaches and muscle pain, but also went into a deep depression. It also increased my anxiety. All of this was totally under control until I decided to quit the caffeine. I heard about headaches but I never heard about the other symptoms of withdrawal, especially not depression. I want to warn other people about this and suggest that you gradually decrease you caffeine intake instead of quitting cold turkey like I did. If you have ever had issues with depression, anxiety, or OCD be very careful. I would have never believed that the symptoms could be so severe if I hadn't experienced it for myself.
After 48 hours without caffeine, I was crying for no reason and became obsessed with random things (I am too embarrassed to go into further detail). I felt like I was having a psychological breakdown. This is currently the 4th day without caffeine and now the depression is a lot less severe but its still here and I have terrible headaches. I feel like someone is taking a knife and stabbing me in the side of my head. Hopefully this will not last much longer, I can't concentrate on anything and am pretty much useless in this condition. I hope this will help someone else to avoid suffering from withdrawals or even stop someone from starting to drink a lot of caffeinated beverages. Its not worth it. If you are tired, take a nap or go for a walk, get some fresh air, exercise, try anything other than this DRUG!
msnattcafe says
re: CAFFEINE WITHDRAWAL
Thanks so much for the above info. This information couldn't be more accurate! I gave up coffee and have been going strong for 7 days (I tried this 2 months ago but it didn't work, my peak is 3 weeks). Lately a few days before my menses I get terrible migraines, cramps, irritability, and lately my blood pressure has been dropping. I decided to give up coffee for this reason and according to my doctor it is my intake of caffeine causing these extreme symptoms (caffeine intoxication). Now that I'm off the coffee and soda (cold turkey) I've been getting panic/anxiety attacks that make me feel so nervous I feel like I can pass out. Let me add I'm not stressed about anything so it's not caused by other contributing factors. PLUS increased heartrate, lowered blood pressure and headaches that come and go. Ughh I so need the support to get thru this bc every morning I have to talk myself out of drinking my morning cup of joe....
User says
re: I drank an Energy Drink
I quite caffeine about 25 days ago. I used to drink about 2 energy drinks a day and for the first few days after quiting suffered horrible headaches, then it passed and I was fine. The day before yesterday I decided to give myself a little treat by having an energy drink...I didn't think 1 would hurt (big mistake). Yesterday I ended up with a splitting headache. Is it possible that just one energy drink could have sent me back into withdrawal again?
matt says
re: Caffiene demon
From 2002 to 2009 I was drinking monster every day (1 can).I literally got high off of green label monster.I got to where my body rejected it and even a sip made me ill.Had to wean myself off by drinking monster-khaos with 50% juice.Then I graduated down to rockstar,now I dont drink any of that sh*t.I feel so much better,physically/mentally.For the record Im very healthy,never smoked or drank,excercise regularly and take supplements.
Mike says
re: One Week Caffine Free - MAJOR Aches & Pains
Drank 10-12 cups of coffee per day for years. For the past 5 years I have been experiencing really bad heart pulpatations.. quit drinking coffee and the pulpatations stopped the same day! Been drinking 2-3 decaf double-double per day. I feel like I've been hit by a train... the aches and pains in my back and legs are terrible... can't sleep at night without ibuprophen. I have read that the aches pains / withdrawls should only last for 2-7 days but I'm on day 6 and they are still really bad... Hope this goes away soon.
BusyMom says
re: Caffeine
I work and have three kids so I was sucking down the Redbull, soda, coffee and anything I could drink to get a little more energy to get through the day. This week I decided to cut back and try to drink more water, but I started having these weird feelings, nervous jitters, eye twitching and headaches that I could not get rid of. Not realizing it was the caffeine, I took sinus medication and tylenol, but the pain was still there and then nausea set in...ugh. For two days I suffered with this increasing headache thinking that I had some sort of growing tumor causing swelling of the brain...until this morning, I drank a Dr. Pepper. Sure enough, it was "just what the dr ordered" and I confirmed that I am addicted to caffeine. Within an hour of drinking it, the symptoms and pain are all but a memory and sweet relief is mine for the moment. However, now that I know this evil has taken hold of me, I must find a way to get out of it's grasp.
For those of you that have completed the journey and rid yourself of this drug, thank you for showing me it can be done.
I will begin weaning myself off of this drug on September 1st with hopes of full recovery by the New Year. Wish me luck!
Joe says
re: quitting coffee
I used to drink 5 cups a day, then quit cold turkey in January of '08. The withdrawal effects were brutal for about a week. headaches, tiredness, crankiness. Just recently I started drinking coffee again. Big mistake. After about a week of 1 cup a day, I was getting headaches at night. So the decision was to either up the coffee amount (slow stream throughout the day) to keep the headaches at bay, or quit. I've chosen to quit. I'm now in the withdrawal stage. It's been two days, and the headaches are starting to weaken. Coffee just doesn't work for me. I don't seem to have problems with caffeine in chocolate, though.
User says
re: I found that no pain killers
I found that no pain killers were working. A friend suggested a regime of extra strength excedrin... which has caffeine. I took the max daily dose for several days. Then started slowly cutting back the dose.
User says
re: Try using excedrin extra
Try using excedrin extra strength. It has caffeine. Start by taking the max dose per day. Then slowly start cutting back on the excedrin
User says
re: I am at a week. Still feel
I am at a week. Still feel like my head is about to explode 24/7.
Another Kim says
re: Hi Cindy
My thoughts are with
Hi Cindy
My thoughts are with you.
I'm on day 7 from drinking about the same amount of Diet Mt. Dew a day. Part of the day I have no headache, other times I have a DULL headache which I can tolerate. NOT like the first 4 days. I myself cannot wean myself, I don't have the discipline. Cold turkey is the best way but being patient is HARD. I say wait a full week. And ibuprophen doesn't work for me either plus it makes my stomach hurt. TONS of water. Your body will heal!!!! 🙂 Let us know how your doing.
oh yes, and my nausea is gone, HATED that part.
Cindy C says
re: Third day
I am on the third day of no caffeine. I usually drink 6-8 cans of diet coke a day. I am in hell. My head hurts, I have trouble focusing, I'm tired, irritable and nauseated. How much longer will this last? The up side is the thought of a diet coke makes me want to puke. I have taken 6 ibuprohen tables since last night. Not working really well.
User says
re: I think your withdrawl will
I think your withdrawl will be less and easier to tolerate if you do a slow weening yourself off of it. If you drink 20 cups a day start at 19 for a week then 18 the next week etc etc so the symptoms aren't as bad. For me I was only having two cups a day so I didn't have anywhere to go really to ween myself off. I've not been able to stop yawning but I've been able to defeat the headache with Ibuprofin. Good luck all.
User says
re: Suffering from caffeine withdrawel - DAY 5
In response to the post Tue, 2010-08-10 12:36 — Bill (not verified)
Your comments have helped me greatly. I'm frantically searching the web for help and support. I'm on my 4th try in 20 years to quit my caffeine addiction. I'm 50 years old and am watching my once healthy body being destroyed. I feel I am literally losing my mind as I cannot cope with daily life without feeling completely overwhelmed. I KNOW for a fact the caffeine IS the cause of my problems. AND YET, quitting seems impossible!! The pain I go through is unbearable and I give up within a week because I can't stand it. I am on day 5 of no caffeine and I feel depressed. I know one sip of caffeine will cure me and that is ALL I can think about. But than the addiction starts all over again.
13 years ago I went through 2 months of severe clinical depression. There are no words to describe the suffering and pain. I am better BUT my withdrawel symptoms make me feel like the depression is coming back and I am terrified.
Hearing your story gives me hope. I see that this period of withdrawel takes longer than I thought. I MUST continue to believe this or I will run back to caffeine thinking it will fix my anxiety and depression.
This addiction is HELL. After 20 years of abusing my mind and body I need to realize that my body won't repair itself overnight. I look forward to the day that the sun shines through and I can have the possitive outlook I had on life when I was 30. Because ALL other aspects of my life are fabulous. Family, friends, great kids and husband. I have no reason to feel so miserable.
diane says
re: It comforts me to know that I am not alone
I too have just quit caffeine, 5 days ago to be exact. I am very pleased to know I am not alone in my suffering. I really hope that this (headaches, nausea, aches and pains and sleepiness) is worth the pain and agony I have gone through. I quit because of health issues. My doctor believed that the cysts I had (mamogram) were because of the caffeine. I figured that I drank way too much coffee anyway and I would give quitting it a try. I had no idea that caffeine consumption effects your body in so many negative ways. I now am over the headaches (YEA) but I need to nurse my adrenal glands back to health. I actually started eating breakfast and lunch again, something that I never did for the last 30 years because of drinking so much caffeine every day. I can only hope that each day I get healthier and stronger. Hang in there everyone!
Ava Zhan says
re: help with caffeine withdrawal
Try carob for the withdrawal symptoms. You can buy carob powder in a health food store and make carob "cocoa" drink, with milk or boiling water. You can add honey or another sweetener to it. Or add the carob powder to a morning granola or cereal. In addition, you can drink dandelion or milk thistle tea to help the body detox faster, and lots of lemon water. Good luck.
User says
re: Caffeine withdrawal
This page REALLY helped. I've been having some of the worst symtoms you could have. I had the flu-type symtom (Diarrhea, Migrane, Stomach Ache, Etc.). On a daily basis I consume 1 - 2 cans of Monster (Energy drink) or RedBull. I've been caffeine free for a week now and it's really getting bad... Should I consult a doctor?
Lisa says
re: Do they have rehab for this?
I believe treatment for caffeine withdrawal is aspirin for headache and if things get really bad, a little bit of coffee to help with the withdrawal symptoms. Of course, if you feel really terrible, I would call the doctor. I too am going through caffeine withdrawal having stopped a 20 cup a day habit down to two cups a day, and the rest being instant decaf coffee. I am experiencing the drowsiness but not the headache that usually accompanies withdrawal of caffeine, probably because I AM drinking the two cups a day. I was actually having panic attacks, generalized anxiety and delusions due to the use of so much caffiene. And for 14 years my doctor never suspected the caffeine use as the potential cause of my problems. Hope this helps!
User says
re: Do they have a rehab for this?
I think it would be best if i was under medical care at this point. I have not had any caffeine since Monday. I was drinking 3 large cups of coffee, at least 2 energy drinks plus a shot of the 5 hour energy stuff not to mention all the tea an diet cokes i sucked down. So needless to say last night was the worst. I literally thought i was dying and had no idea it would be this bad. I was sitting in a meeting at started getting a massive headache. Soon to follow was cold sweats, shaking, and more of the worst headache i have ever had. While on my way home (a one hour drive) i had to stop 4 times to throw up. Sorry to be graphic, but i thought for sure i had food poisoning until i found some other comments on this site.
The quiting of caffeine was brought on by my nutritionist who suggested i wasn't losing the weight like i could be if i quit caffeine. Wait till i see her again. This is the worst thing i have ever gone through.
Any advice would be great to get over all these symptoms without taking caffeine or any drugs with caffeine in them.
So i guess what i need is rehab for caffeine addicts. I certainly can't function like this.
User says
re: My names Emilie and i am only
My names Emilie and i am only 19 but I drink caffeine constantly. I have at the minimum two red bulls and six colas a day.
I am also an ex cocaine addict so i am trying to quit caffeine now as well, because it is an unhealthy stimulant.
Unfortunately my withdrawal symptoms are terrible: fever, migraine, chills and extreme irritability, not to mention being very tried yet restless at the same time.
I unfortunately succumbed to the siren call of the caffeine. So I ask? how do I do it? how do i stop drinking caffeine?
Joanie says
re: caffeine addiction
I was drinking 4 large cups of DD coffee each day through one of those small straws for about a year. OMG, the panic attack I had one day, it was like I was dying, like my body was leaving me--very hard to explain. I also had the shakes, trembling and chills. I went to the doctor's next day and they told me it was caffeine poisoning. I quit cold turkey and was fine for about 3 months. Then something very weird started to happen, I felt like I was about to get that awful feeling again, like my finger was plugged into an electrical socket. I felt depressed, paranoid, my mouth was dry like cotton and I had to force myself to eat. The depressed feeling was so bad it felt like my heart would just crumble inside. The worst part was I became agoraphobic, I couldn't even think of leaving the house without trembling. I had to pop xanax just to do grocery shopping. I missed weddings, 2 important funerals and many other major events. This lasted for 5 straight months until I saw a doctor who told me I was going through caffeine withdrawal, which is much worse then her patients that were addicted to cocaine and heroin. I know, because I personally knew someone that quit heroin and it was nothing like the suffering I went through. I took a Paxil and got very sick, felt even worse than I did before, but oddly enough the next morning everything went away and I was completely fine, very strange, but I was thrilled to have my life back. If I knew then what I know now I would have never quit cold turkey, its better to wean off slowly. Please everyone, be careful with caffeine, I still sometimes feel the remants of those awful feelings, its a place nobody should have to go.
enlightened says
re: Bye bye Coffee, Ciggarettes,
Bye bye Coffee, Ciggarettes, & Alcohol. Your blog hit home with me. I feel a mid-life crisis coming on and want to start feeling better physically & emotionally as well as get rid of my chronic insomnia. At least I'm not alone. Thanks for posting.
enlightened says
re: Your description of coffee
Your description of coffee withdrawl symptoms moved me. I've terrible insomnia... for several years. Coffee has been my befriend every morning and most afternoons. Anyhow... I've quit coffee, ciggarettes, and wine 3 days ago. I don't feel very good right now so your descriptions of your symptoms made me think its ok and I just have to suffer through it a little longer. Good for you. I wish you the best in your journey.
User says
re: Please Help
What I have done to eliminate my caffeine addiction is this: I buy one regular coffee package and one 1/2 caffeine package and mix them together (usually the small bags) when I finished this mixture I move to just the 1/2 caffeine, then after that mixture is gone I buy one decaf and one 1/2 caffeine and mix together and when that mixture is gone, I go straight to the decaf. I have experienced the headaches occasionally but I haven't had a cup of coffee now for two days and the headaches are gone.
Bill says
re: coffee withdrawal symptoms
I began a digestive correcting diet after years of strange symptoms. Ive been to multiple doctors and have been diagnosed with everything from GERD to acid reflux to IBS and it goes on. The doctors seem to just “pick†some general ill and prescribe a common medicine but nothing has worked. I began to research the web for answers and as a result, began to simplify my diet to try to resolve these digestive issues. Its been 8 days since I have eliminated coffee, caffeine, sugar, white flour, fried food, ect. I eat fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, lean meats and drink only water. I have felt absolutely horrible. The depression is certainly overwhelming. In fact, it got so bad, I was scared because I have a pistol in the house that I had to take to a friends house because I couldn't be certain I wouldn't use it. I have had the most severe headache of my life, a sinus infection, a cold, dizziness, bone and muscle aches, tremendous fatigue, lethargy, neck pain, abdominal pain, insomnia, joint pain, constipation, eye pain, trouble concentrating. I mean I actually cant find words sometimes and I cant seem to remember what I did earlier in the day. I have had much much much difficulty and it just goes on. I was absolutely convinced that I was dying. Clearly, something was terribly wrong. I called the Dr and the nurse told me it was withdrawal symptoms. Keep in mind that I was trying to overcome digestive issues, not an addiction so I didn't believe her. I have been addicted to the web medical sites to try to figure out what was wrong with me and today, I decided to have a cup of coffee since my stomach has been feeling better. OH MY GOD. All the symptoms immediately went away but I felt terribly anxious and very keyed up. My heart is racing, I instantly had to have a bowel movement and my stomach began to bloat just like before. I am amazed but all the pain in my joints, eyes, head, sinuses stopped within 15 minutes and I instantly have energy…too much of it. My stomach is rumbling terribly and I am sweating though I am just lying on the bed typing. My neck doesn't hurt and I although my stomach is causing me trouble, the remainder of my body feels invincible but not naturally so. I can definitely tell its artificial. This almost feels like what I have seen on tv after someone has a cocaine hit. Its strange because colors are brighter and I can actually feel that my eyes have opened more. I think most people would categorize this as good but I can feel the lack of authenticity in the good feeling and It feels so artificial that I know I will crash soon and have withdrawal symptoms again. This actually feels beautifully toxic to my cells. The dichotomy here is very strange to get my head around. My body craves fruit but the craving is coming like a distant pleasant memory or from somewhere outside of me. Im not hungry at all but I can feel something trying to correct this…its strange but I feel like my body is craving waters foods. I am amazed at how one cup of coffee has affected me so much. That's it for me. No more after today. I don't crave coffee so I never thought I was addicted and even in the first few days of symptoms, I felt horrible but I never craved coffee. I did crave sugar a little but not even that much. My stomach is burning now the way it used to. I can count on a rough afternoon. I will have to eat lots of tums or at least try something alkaline.
Coming down now, its been about two hours thirty minutes and my aches and pains are coming back. They are worse than they were before the coffee and my vision is altered. Not exactly blurred or anything like that but rather it is just different than it was in the last few hours. Colors aren't as crisp and its like my head turns and then my vision catches up a second later. Not actually harmful but definitely disturbing to me. I don't like this at all. After drinking the coffee, I had an extremely loose bowel movement within ten minutes or so and ive had four in the last two hours. All extremely loose, resembling bile more than properly digested waste. Clearly it had a negative effect on me. I am astonished at how quickly all this happened. I feel as though I have been on a very intense vacation where I was in a strange place with food that didn't agree with me, bad air, bad water, lots and lots of pollen and I was forced to visit many many places in a very short time. Now I am home and I am coming down with the flu. That's the best way to describe it. I feel bad again, scared, deflated, tired, achy, sleepy, hollow all wrapped in a ton of unwarranted guilt. All I did was have a cup of coffee. I just had no idea.
Lauren says
re: I am on day 7 of no coffee
I am on day 7 of no coffee and I have had severe headaches and SEVERE leg, thigh, and hip pain. I was beginning to think the same thing, that there has got to be something wrong with me. But after reading all of these comments I realize that it is from the caffeine withdrawal. I really hope this pain in my legs and the headaches go away soon because it is unbearable and I really need to get a good nights sleep! I cant wait to kick this awful habit for good without the pain that comes along with it.
User says
re: Tea
My friend and I usually drink about 3 coffees a day, and have had for years and years.
But just recently, we've got onto the tea as well! Which means that in the spaces between coffees, we have
tea as well (about 10-15 cups a day!).
User says
re: Please Help
I wake up every morning with a splitting headache, i have a huge 500ml mug of tea and the headaches goes away..i am totally addicted to tea..i have approx. to 4 to 5 x 500ml mugs in a day..i am trying to stop but but cant seem to get past the 1st day because the headaches sets in..wat can i do... kossie@vodamail.co.za
User says
re: probably is the caffeine.
probably is the caffeine. different people have different tolerances and withdrawal symptoms. if i don't drink coffee for a while, and then drink one cup, it keeps me wired for almost 10 hours. right now, i drink 5 or 6 cups a day (terrible i know). when i get to this point, i normally stop cold turkey and experience little to no withdrawal symptoms, most of which is just being tired from not having slept much during the past week or two. other people can experience splitting migranes from stopping small amounts of caffeine. it's different for everyone. just try drinking half a coke every day and bringing it down more slowly and you'll do just fine
Rich says
re: Thanks Rob
Hey Rob - thanks for your thoughts. I really appreciated your thoughts on caffeine as a drug, and one with significant side effects. Sorry to hear you're back on it - hope you're able to get off of it soon. Thanks again.
Rich says
re: Thanks Angie
Thanks Angie - I'll definitely keep pressing on. Thanks for relating your experience - it's kind of comforting to know we're not necessarily going-it-alone on the caffeine withdrawal. Congratulations on being caffeine-free!
Rich says
re: Thanks Sheri
Thanks for sharing your experience and offering your thoughts on my post, Sheri. I hope things are continuing to get better for you!
Phil says
re: coffee
Hi Guys
I actually drink at least 15 mugs of coffee a day (known me to drink 30). I have read some of these blogs and I am hoping that I can put my mind at rest. A few weeks ago I was rushed to hospital with cellitise (an insect bite). I did go tachicardic and had to have my heart rate and blood pressure taken regulary. Then over the past few weeks I have started to get occasional sweats, loosing colour heart rate beating fast feeling really Anxious. Then I start feeling dizzy for a good 24hr period. I start to panick thinking oh is it my time. Tossing and turning all night long. Could this actually be the caffiene. Sat here typing I now realise I drink way too much.
Thanks Phil
DUMP COFFEE says
re: GREETINGS ANGIE- Yes indeed
GREETINGS ANGIE- Yes indeed those symtoms are real- and it will take weeks to completely purge your system- but have faith, it will subside. But here is the interesting part- Why should anyone be surprised? Has anyone noticed that "Caffeine" ends in that wonderful three- letter "ine"- you know, like METHAMPHETAMINE, BENZEDRINE, ETC? Ever notice how the sheep- like morons lining up at Starbucks look just like junkies at a Methadone Clinic? It's because they are ADDICTED, to a worthless blood pressure raising drug- Don't tell me either about "benefits of Coffee" studies. They always say "some studies have shown" or "some patients showed this or that"- It's nothing but bull- crap- besides, there are plenty of safe, healthful ways to introduce the right kind of anti- oxidants into your system if thats what your after- (dark salads, fruits, veggies, etc.- easy to research)- GOOD FOR YOU FOR TOSSING THE BROWN POISON!
User says
re: Question: Has anyone
Question: Has anyone experienced severe fatigue and/or depression as a symptom of caffeine withdrawal? If so, did it pass in time? I'm 46 years old and have been extremely dependent on coffee and caffeine for the past 25 years. I recently decided to stop once and for all and tapered off of caffeine over the past several weeks - my last, small "dose" of caffeine was this morning. Because it's been so gradual, I have experienced very little in the way of acute, short-term withdrawal symptoms (headaches, etc.). However, I've been experiencing extreme fatigue as well as some depression in the last couple of weeks. Has anyone else experienced this? As a long-term coffee drinker, should I expect some longer-term, emotional/psychological withdrawal symptoms (such as depression, etc.) in addition to the more short-term, physical symptoms of withdrawal?
User says
re: Thanks for the response.
For
Thanks for the response.
For what it's worth, I've drank one can/ day of Cherry Coke for the past three days and the aches and pains seem to have gone away. Maybe I was just that sensitive to it or the sugar? Just hoping it's not anything serious (me being somewhat of a hypochondriac certainly doesn't help matters!).
Any idea if eliminating that 45mg/ day would cause problems if it were part of a "caffeine routine", meaning that in addition to the soda (usually during late afternoon), I'll usually have coffee in the morning (either large dunkin donuts w/ sugar and two packets of equal or a traveler mug with three pakcets of equal) and a glass of sweet tea at night. I didn't drop the coffee and sweet tea habit over the past two weeks, just the soda.
Tracy says
re: about the caffeine/headaches
I went years doing the same as you and dude... wow now i feel like crap every SINGLE day pretty much. You MUST CUT DOWN YOUR SUGAR INTAKE in a huge way, man. It sucks too but seriously try in morning something not terribly sweet with lot of cinnamon, (sliced apples, oatmeal, ect) and for lunch again nothing too sugary but try a good portion of avocado with lunch any way you are willing to eat it; with salt, in guacamole, in sushi, doesnt matter just eat some and for snacks try the drinks called Glucerna, (made for diabetics) and see if that doesnt make you feel better... You may have given yourself type 2 diabetes. I am not a doctor, just going through what you are and this is the only thing that made me feel any better. Now i need to drop this extra weight drinking soda for years has put on me (like 30-40 lbs probably) and see if that doesnt get rid of the symptoms completely. The only time i can recall drinking ton of soda since then and not feeling all blaaaah was when i went to amusement park and sweat my ass off walked my ass off. Also stress seems to trigger this blahh feeling and you shold take any steps possible to reduce stress or relieve it quickly. Oh also get off the white breads, do anything else wheat, rye, multigrain and also increase fiber intake and hopeully some days wont suck too badly.
Robert says
re: Quitting Caffeine
Until recently(the better part of 40+ years) I have drank between 6 to 10 Cokes and/or diet cokes a day. I just started to drastically reduce(not completely cut out) my soda comsumption and my feelings of "irritability,depression, anxiety, and this feeling of being in a dream" is about a 9.5 on a scale of 1 to 10. My Dr put me on Bupropion last year and at first I thought these symptoms might be a delayed side affects of the antidepresants. Now after reading your post I finially see that my symptoms are a by product of the caffeine withdrawl
sheri says
re: I have a similar story, and
I have a similar story, and tired of feeling addicted, needing caffeine, plus do not like supporting Mr Schultz so much, so quit completely last week. Sleep is great now, more focused and some more energy at time, but yes, emotionally on a bit of a roller coaster and wanting to withdraw sometimes. I think there are some psychological aspects that cause us to become addicted in the first place, and coffee fills that need for us. When it's gone, maybe we need something to replace it or else learn to cope without it... I am hoping it will just take time and go away.