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: CAFFEINE ANONYMOUS?
WHERE CAN YOU FIND A TWELVE STEP CAFFEINE ADDICTION PROGRAM? I DIDN'T KNOW THEY EXISTED!
Jennifer says
re: To Kikaida
I can't thank you enough for your comment! I'm on day 3 and feel like crawling outta my skin! The headaches and anxiety are so intense! I was reading all the posts and came to yours, you inspired me to keep going !!! I actually printed it and have it hanging on my refrig. You will be my inspiration for the next 11 days. Thank you so much.
User says
re: Reading all your comments on
Reading all your comments on quitting coffee. I quit drinking coffee about a week ago. It's terrible! I am so tired. Each day seems to get better with that. Still tired but pushing on. The big thing is the anxiety. I get where I have trouble breathing and swallowing almost. Then I get nervous at the symptoms which makes more anxiety. This is terrible. It's nice to read the support, thank you all and good luck on this journey we can over come.
James says
re: I have been searching for
I have been searching for someone that has made it through all of the withdrawal symptoms to get a good idea of how much longer I need to persevere. Three months does sound about right. I was drinking 2-3 energy drinks a day for at least two years. I have been off of energy drinks for just over a month now and I still feel so fatigued and drained of energy. And the headaches are still there, but not as bad. I feel so much better than I did 2 weeks into it though; I found it really difficult to get out of bed and go to work even after 9 hrs of sleep. So everyone, your unexpected long-lasting withdrawal symptoms are normal and we all have to go through them. It does get better but just takes some time.
I learned that as a result of drinking so much caffeine and the other things in energy drinks we have really stunted or temporarily damaged our adrenalin glands. That is why we don't have energy and once our adrenalin glands heal and stabilize our natural energy is back! I went to my local health store and talked to a professional about what I could take to help me. I was told to take the following to aid my adrenalin and also increase my focus: Pantothenic acid and this mix I bought from Gaia herbs called Adrenal health (it includes Rhiodiola root, holy basil leaf, ashwangandha root, and schisandra berry). I bought an all-natural energy supplement to help me until the withdrawals start to alleviate - you can buy it online or at your local store. I bought Pure Hawaiian spirulina pacifica which boost energy and the immune system.
Boosting your immune system really helps as well. I have been taking echinacea, golden root seal, vitamin C pills, and this extremely powerful liquid nutrient combo called Sea Energy Power Max (Can buy at http://www.superiornutritionandhealth.com). I have also been eating sooooo health as well as drinking a lot of water and powerade zeros. I have been drinking green tea, which has a little bit of caffeine, every now and then when I get really irritable and sluggish at work (twice a week max....I cannot afford to back peddle).
I take a lot of nutrients and supplements to help me in this endeavor and they really do help a lot. I am starting to feel my natural energy shining through. Since day one I have had to work 40 hrs a week at a job where I can not afford to be lazy. In fact I have to really be on top of my game. Despite this setback I have managed to get a promotion. The supplements, positive thinking, good music, plenty of water, the serenity prayer, gentle exercising even when its the last thing you want to do, and talking to others online with the same struggles really help. I also felt a lot better once I knew exactly what I was dealing with and about how long I can expect it. Stay strong and stay away from that stuff. It can only get better....at least after like week 2 or 3. It really can be an underlining cause behind your death if you keep abusing it for years and years. Best of luck everyone!!!!!!!!
Say No To Joe says
re: holly cow,
I know that you
holly cow,
I know that you are going through a terrible time right now. I quit caffeine cold turkey back in September 2010. I experienced every symptom that you've described above. Here is the best advice I can give you: do not lose sight of the fact that YOU ARE GOING THROUGH CAFFEINE WITHDRAWAL! It's very easy to start worrying about each individual symptom and think that you have more problems than you actually do. Time will heal this wound. Understand that the lack of caffeine is what is doing this to your body, and keep that fact in the forefront of your mind! It's fine to get checked out by doctors for your peace of mind, but after they tell you you're fine, the only thing you can do is wait. IT WILL GET BETTER! It's now been 10 months since I quit and I'm 1000x better than I was those first few months. Keep your head up!
User says
re: kick the caffeine habit
It would be easier on your boyfriend if you weened him off caffeine gradually. I personally love coffee, so would not even consider life without it. I bought a high quality organic decaf (be careful of non organic decaf's, they give me a headache - chemicals maybe). Week by week, start adding some of the organic decaf to his current blend. give it a week to 10 days before reducing the regular coffee and adding in more decaf.
Anonymous says
re: What can I do to help my boyfriend quit?
My boyfriend is planning to quit coffee cold turkey. He currently drinks a large pot of coffee every morning (4 very large mugs, probably 10 "cups" if you go by what the side of the coffee pot calls a cup). He spends an hour drinking coffee before he can really be functional. He's been addicted to coffee since early high school (close to 15 years). Recently, he's realized that he can't even drink any coffee other than the specific brand we have at home without feeling tired and not well (has this ever happened to anyone else??).
He has tried many times to quit gradually, but every time it just takes too long and something important comes up that he really needs the coffee for. He's tried cold turkey once before, and the first day the withdrawl was bad enough that he vomited.
So... I really want to help him make this as easy as possible this time. Does anyone have any advice for what I can do? Specific supplements I can buy ahead of time? Is it better to throw out all the coffee and the pot so it's not a temptation, or have it tucked away somewhere if it's absolutely necessary? I know there's no way I can make it easy, or even much less than miserable, but I'd greatly appreciate any advice you can give.
Thanks!!
holly cow! says
re: I'm a 31 year old female
I'm a 31 year old female about 2 wks ago i came down with a really bad stomach bug and no taste for for coffee. and increased my heart rate to 140. I seen a cardio and had to wear a 24hr holter montier. Everything is fine. I went to the ER on that weekend with serious anexity and vomiting. Well needless to say they gave me a shot and a G.I cocktail and sent me on my way. I also went to the ENT b/c i was thinking vertigo. Ent said I had no fluid in my ears and a little sinus infection. Gave me more meds and sent me on my way. I sat here in a panic b/c I truly felt like something was wrong and all these doctors kept telling me I have PTSS anexity and depression and kept trying to push pills. I went back to the ER had a CT scan b/c my face felt numb on the right side and more blood work done everyting was fine. Again the doctor told me anxiety and depression.I kept bringing up coffee with drawls and kept getting denied. Well I have been sitting here for a while racking my brains what could be wrong. And it All seems to come back on me quiting coffee cold turkey. Yes, I should have done it slowly but i like I said I didn't have a taste for it. Well I feel like crap anexity is through the roof,mussel weakness, tried,sick to my stomach, numbness, mussel pain,dizzy,eyes feel weird, hot and cold sweats, shortness of breath due to anexity, and well just like crap. LOL! I'm on day 15 but that is since I'd had the stomch bug. I really am not to sure how long I have been withdrawling i'm assuming at least about 8 days. I haven't stopped caffeine all together maybe 1 cup a day just to see if helps. I know that coffee caffeine is different from soda caffeine b/c of the coffee beans. I made an appointment with a Neuro for Monday just see that everything is okay. Can anyone help relax my nerves. Does anyone else experience any of this? Im extremely mad. I did the math and i drank 8-10 cups a day. oh and i used heavy sugar and flavored creamer. how long does the symptoms last and is there anything i can do to help myself get through this. thank you!
User says
re: Pain in hamstrings from caffeine withdrawal
Hi, I have quit caffeine twice in my life. Once recently, and once ten years ago. The pain in my legs was so bad that I could not sleep, stand or sit. I had to workout my legs about ten times daily for them to settle down and be pain free. This is beacuse when you drink caffeine, you stimulate the central nervous system radically. When you overstimulate it way too offten (I drank about 1-2 pots of coffee myself), and then you stop it, you get Siatica or "pinched nerve syndrome". Your muscles have become so taught from overstimulation that they remain tight until the offending substance is out of your system. It can last from 4- 14 days and can be accompanied by "Diabetic" symptoms, tingling in legs and feet, flushing in feet, extreme weakness and unstable gait while walking. This will also pass in time- rebuild your bodies stores of minerals and vitamins during the detox and drink tons of water. It's been a month for me now and I hope to be off for good.
Trinka
Diane says
re: Yes!
The reason I found this website was because I was trying to figure out if my pelvic and leg pains had anything to do with my coffee withdrawal. I am sorry to hear that you are having these symptoms but I am also grateful that you shared them.
For over ten years I have been drinking a pot of home brewed regular coffee daily, with half and half. I started when I was in college. I haven't had any problems. I decided to quit when it felt like I had a kidney stone -which seemed to happen after I started drinking coffee with non-dairy creamers at a location where half and half was not available. I quit completely 2 weeks ago.
My symptoms have been exactly as you described. Especially the 'sit bones' ached until I could hardly stand it. Two weeks later that pain is still there as a dull ache along with the my leg and side aches. As you described, I also feel very, very weak. I am having the same night time symptoms as you have described.
I'm drinking organic Cran-Aid tea, organic lemonaid, and lots spring water; the kidney stone seems to be gone after 3 days of doing this. I may try drinking one or two cups a day of coffee during this time and come-off-of caffeine gradually. But if I don't feel better soon I am going to see a doctor.
Wishing everyone good health.
Milo Creach says
re: Lead Legs
Absolutely, my legs felt like lead, and I had flu-like symptoms for five or six days, with achy legs and hips. I realize now that many symptoms I formerly attributed to the flu or generaly ague were simply the results of the lack caffeine during my illness. Quitting coffee is hard. It is difficult during the withdrawal not to think that you have hypoglycemia or thryroid problems or diabetes because the fatigue is horrible. I even had problems keeping my balance for nearly a week after I quit. Hang in there, don't go back to the drug.
User says
re: Exactly the same with lower
Exactly the same with lower body pains around days 3 - 6. Currently on day 7 and sticking with it in the hope it will be worth it in the end.
Peter says
re: Don't Go It Alone
Based on my history, it is only when I joined a 12-step program that I was able to give up caffeine. Having the support from a sponsor and daily meetings is the only way to do this.
Working the steps is hard, but offers a real solution. I found it particularly hard to admit the harm my coffee drinking had caused others, but once I met with them and told them how sorry I was, it really helped them and me.
I know that I am always a caffeine addict, but through daily meetings, I am living a sober, coffee-free life.
No need to do this alone.
User says
re: i am on day 2 of no caffine
i am on day 2 of no caffine and have a massivemigraine, i want to cry...will this pass?
G says
re: Caffeine Withdrawal
I used to drink about a cup of black tea in the morning and occasional Star Buck's Mocha or Coffee in the afternoon. But I quit about 2 weeks ago. I have already got my fair share of horrible headaches, but I still don't feel well. I feel nauseated, lightheaded, weak, dizzy and just overall not all too well. Is this normal?
I appreciate any help!
G
G says
re: Caffeine Withdrawal
I used to drink about a cup of black tea in the morning and occasional Star Buck's Mocha or Coffee in the afternoon. But I quit about 2 weeks ago. I have already got my fair share of horrible headaches, but I still don't feel well. I feel nauseated, lightheaded, weak, dizzy and just overall not all too well. Is this normal?
I appreciate any help!
G
Angela says
re: Wow. What a shock
So about 3 weeks ago, I took an energy pill from gnc. As soon as I stopped moving 2 hours later, I had a massive panic attack. They went on for 3-4 days. So I quit caffeine, thinking that would help. (I was drinking about a 2 liter a day plus energy drinks for ages.) I went to the emergency room where they gave me valium, it didn't help. I was having hot and cold flashes. They seem to be less severe now. I have been having anxiety and panic attacks which also seem to be fading and less severe. I finally got in to the dr today and he told me I was probably having caffeine withdrawal. Apparently, the energy pill started the attacks but they probably would have quit if I didn't stop the soda. So I made it worse for awhile. I had never heard about it before. I knew that you could get headaches but that was it. Wow. He gave me a prescription for Buspar in case I need it but he told me that since things seem to be getting better, I could try and wait it out. Fingers crossed.
I do feel better knowing that I probably don't have GAD or panic disorder after all. I'm dreading the next couple weeks to months and am going to keep on the wagon. (I quit cold. No teas or chocolate or anything.)
Thanks for all the posts. They are very helpful. Wishing you all the best. Keep your fingers crossed for me. Thnaks.
User says
re: RE: Day 5
First three days included part of our long weekend and I slept.. I slept almost all day Sunday and Monday... Headaches too have been an issue. Although I feel thinner actually.. my stomach because not only did I cut out caffeine but I also cut out McDonalds fatty sausage breakfast.. and things with obvious sugars.. Trying to incorporate a lot more fruit in my diet and in doing so.. my BMs went from constipation to loose to irregular.. Take liquid vitamins along with your other supplements..making sure not to be taking too much but liquid tends to hit the blood stream quickly. One that I take through liquid is a B Complex. I was told this would help with the energy levels after coming off of caffeine so I'm doing that.. Also I take a capful of apple cidar vinegar with fresh squeezed orange juice in the morning and that is suppose to help get toxins out.. I'm consuming Activia yogurt too .. Peach flavor is not bad.. and then like you all.. drinking a lot of water.. Arbonne makes these fizzy tabs that you can put in water that is all natural energizer too.. Fresh veggies as well as fruits are always a good too.. I know they say fruits have too much sugar.. but when you compare them to what you might of been consuming .. it seemed like a good idea to include them too.. I eat apples (they give energy), and grapes, for muscle cramps try a banana and also don't forget to get some nuts in your diet if you can.. Hope this helps.. I'm just starting and really appreciate all the support here..
User says
re: I had a minor tooth ache
I noticed a minor tooth ache in the upper back left part of my mouth for the first few days. It seems to have gone away now (day 6). Just remember, your body's withdraw symptoms will vary with five variables: recency, frequency, size, total number of years of use, and age. Thus withdraws will be worse if:
- Your last dose was pretty recent
- You dosed pretty frequently (e.g. many times a day)
- You dosed a lot per serving (e.g. 100 mg vs 30 mg per dose)
- You dosed over many years (e.g. someone with 20 years of use will be in a lot more pain than someone with 5)
- If you are older, it will probably be harder on your system.

Casey says
re: I don't think you have done
I don't think you have done any permanent damage to yourself, I was a heavy coffee drinker also and felt a myriad of symptoms upon withdrawing, most of which are now gone several months later, thinking you've done permanent damage will only increase your anxiety and subsequently make things worse. If you were a heavy coffee drinke it can take a while to fully recover and the temptation to pick up coffee again will be strong, but it does eventually pass I promise!
kikaida says
re: 6 month update
Hi Everyone,
It's been 6 months since I quit caffeine. I feel so much better. For those who just started quitting caffeine, hang in there! Each day will get better. The worse was first two weeks. Then after that, things started settling down. By 3 months things got a lot better. Good luck to all of you on your quest for better health.
Kikaida
User says
re: I had the exact same thing,
I had the exact same thing, and after looking up caffeine withdrawl symptoms, i saw that aches were common. they went after about 2 days, and i feel ok now. I am mid way through week 2, and feeling pretty grumpy... Stick with it, I am clinging to the hope that in a few weeks, ill be back to my happy self. 🙂 L
User says
re: Double withdrawal
I've jut read your comments and was relieved to know that my terrible leg aches at night may well be due to the fact that I have been off caffine for a week now. I have to take pain killers to get comfortable at night. When I stand up or walk I am fine. I haven't had headaches at all, so assume I am suffering via my legs. I also get the odd muscular pain in my left arm. I did notice though that when my husband brought me a cup of tea which he had made with normal tea (and I had not yet got up) within a few minutes my legs felt fine........I'm giving it another week or so to see what happens.
Casey says
re: Yes, I had this symptom as
Yes, I had this symptom as well as many others, I truly believe this is acute caffeine withdrawal and it will get better. Drink lots of water, stretch gently, go for walks but don't overdo it, eat lots of healthy food and get good rest, and this will improve. It sucks unbelievably but it does get better hang in there!
User says
re: If you are someone who
If you are someone who suffers from diabates I strongly sugget that you look into the Raw Food Diet. The raw food diet has actually cured poeple of Diabates. I have been follwing this diet for quite sometime and although I do dnot have Diabetes I can telly you I have never felt or looked better. I too was drinking alot of coffee before I started eating raw food and now I have so much energy I do not need the extra stimulants. If you get a chance check out this video .
Nadia says
re: Just wondered if anyone else
Just wondered if anyone else has really bad achey pain around their pelvis particularly bottom, legs and hips? It's like I have been hit with a bat! I'm on day 5 of caffeine withdrawal and I got the expected nightmare headache and irritability around day 1-3 but now I'm more concerned with the pains. It has also affected my sleep and I find it hard to fall asleep and wake up numerous times to go to the toilet. I have woken up with this pelvic pain too! I am like an invalid now around the house. It is quite disturbing. I was extremely addicted to coffee and I'm wondering what kind of damage I have done to myself. I brewed numerous cafetieres continuously like a chain smoker and was a regular at Costa Coffee. Before I gave up I was even getting chest pains and it felt like a quiver at times. I thought to myself I'm killing myself with coffee. It was time to give up. At the moment I'm trying to eat really healthily and drink water, herbal teas to detox.
Matt says
re: When I went through
When I went through withdrawal I experience achyness in my body, I didn't experience weak legs but just an overall feeling of being tired and groggy. I'm sure your weak legs are from the withdrawal and changes your body is going through; I wouldn't worry about them. Caffeine withdrawals effect everyone differently it seems. Hang in there!
Matt says
re: lucy
I had all the same symptoms you went through when I cut coffee cold turkey about 5 months ago. I can tell you the first 2 weeks are really bad and gradually it gets better from there. It took me about 2 months to feel fully back to normal. Hang in there, it will get better!
lucy says
re: MEEE TOOO!
Hey to the "cold turkey" guy im a 25 year old female and feel exactly the same. EXACTLY the same. even the part about wanted mommy and daddy around. Im actually going to their house tomorrow because im so anxious and depressed. i hope it passes too, this blog is helping. thanks for the comment =)
lucy says
re: scared
The reason why I decided to cut out caffeine is because I felt stressed out. I work out and eat very healthy and am a personal trainer but have had a notorious energy drink addiction for almost 4 years. I noticed I was having symptoms of liver damage, as well as hormonal problems and weight gain. funny, because caffeine is supposed to stimulate your metabolism. I believe my adrenal glands and pituitary glands have been worn to exhaustion and I started to develop shortness of breath, severe body pains due to the impact on my nervous system ( I was over exercising as well because i had so much adrenaline from the caffeine) my skin started looking older and my hair started breaking and falling out. I was extremely stressed. I finally had enough and started a cleanse . I ate only fruits and vegetables and drank juices. the first day I had severe headaches but after the second day I started feeling light headed and nausia. I also got depressed and blank, as if unable to make sense of my surrioundings. im on the sixth day and im suffering from sever anxiety, fear, racing thoughts about myself and others, paranoia, bouts of uncontrollable anger ( I lost it on a client today, and a roommate yesterday =( ) Im exhausted and have horrible joint and body pain on the right side of my body, as well as back pain and leg pain. I dont know how long this is supposed to last but its awful. I cant go back to what i was doing before because thats just not a possibility. I was damaging myself maybe beyond repair. I just hope this doesnt last too long. it helps to know that im not going insane and that others share my experiences. I will try to be strong and hang in there. thank you for all of the comments. =)
User says
re: Double Withdrawal
I've been addicted to coffee on and off for a couple of years. What forces me to quit is this feeling of oversaturation of coffee where the taste is nolonger uplifting, and each drink doesn't do anything for me, but most of all, at saturation point, I get drowsy instead of perky. The more coffee I drink, the sleepier I get, and that's what forces me to quit. Then, when I quit, I get into extreme drowsiness, intense fatigue, murky minded, low motivation, low enthusiasm. Where all I want to do is to just sit there w/ my head rolled to the side b/c gravity is too heavy.
However, this last bout of coffee quitting was going well, and I was getting better again when I noticed my teeth was stained by some new teas I was drinking. BTW, I'm a HUGE tea drinker and for over a decade! I don't drink the dinky bagged stuff, I brew them from loose leaves. So I stopped the tea b/c of my teeth, and the second wave of withdrawals happened, and this one was intense. Again, the drowsiness, I've been needing naps at about 2 pm, my legs are like lead, I could barely drag them, and there's tingling ant sensations up and down my legs. I feel like I could sleep forever, and I have the most vivid dreams. Mostly, the weak legs scare me b/c that was my father's first symptoms before he was dx w/ leukemia from which he died. But I try to remember that this followed on the heels of me stopping tea and coffee.
Does anyone experience lead legs?
johnny utah says
re: I have drank coffee for well
I have drank coffee for well over 20 years, everyday. I just quit 2-3 weeks ago, because of my kidney stones. Coffee seemed to cause pain from them. I have not felt any kidney pain after quitting, but I have noticed my legs tingling at night, and they kindof feel like they are about to go to sleep. I have yet to have them actually go to sleep( you know the pin prik feelings) but they feel like they are on the verge all the time. Unless I am walking around, I can feel it. The only thing I have changed is cold turkey coffee withdrawl after 23 years of 24-32 oz. of black coffee a day. Asprin seems to help me, but I have to watch out, as I also have a pain in my stomach that makes me think I am having a heart attack when I get too much acid in my stomach. I think this is an ulcer. I hope you feel better, and I hope this stuff goes away eventually.
User says
re: I too drink too many coffees in a day
I'm diabetic,
I should cutdown my cofee too, but some times I'm stressed out so don't know what to do so I drink Tea, recently I'm feeling de hidrated when I drink too many coffees in a day, I should cut down from 6 drinks to 2 or 3, I drink too many cokes a day. I should cut down them too.. some times at the restaurant I couldn't control to drink coke but I should avoid that..
Joe Barry says
re: Cutting back suddenly on caffein
Cutting back or suddenly eliminating caffeine can cause withdrawal symptoms, such as throbbing headaches, drowsiness or decreased sociability and anxiety. Caffeine withdrawal may also resemble the flu, with muscle stiffness, nausea and waves of hot or cold sensations sweeping the body.
Here are belwo some self care steps which will help you to control the caffine intake.
* Monitor caffeine intake. Low to moderate caffeine consumption is often defined as 50 to 300 mg a day. Most people tolerate these levels without adverse effects. Higher consumption can cause negative health effects, such as anxiety and insomnia. * Substitute hot decaffeinated coffee or tea for caffeinated tea or coffee, or try hot water with a squeeze of lemon. * Exercise instead of drinking coffee during break time. Exercise is also stimulating. * Drink more water or decaffeinated soft drinks. Get about eight glasses of liquid a day.
Linden Method
User says
re: withdrawl
i had the thowing up and cold shake's and it give me a migraine i was drinlking like a 12 pack of moutain dew a day plus tea's and other cafine drinks the doctors thought i was having some other withdrawl symptoms so they made me take a drug test before they would help with the pain
User says
re: Off caffeine one week
My blood sugars had been very high in the am. So I read of a study which showed people who did not have caffeine had better sugar control. I have been totally off caffeine for 7days. I had not headaches but felt lethargic and had issues with my blood pressure dropping. I am on a Ace inhibitor for my high blood pressure. At day 5 I was feeling better. My fasting glucose levels have been near normal at 104 to 110 whereas before I had been in the 130's.
Definitely a improvement. No it's not a cure all for my type 2 diabetes or my hypertension. But it has improved both significantly enough to show a direct effect on them. I do not think many people realize how much caffeine they intake every day.
matt says
re: rosie
well rosie i think i was having every one of the symtoms you have.chest pain,spells of cold and shivering everything you described.i was drinking a lot of diet dew.like 3 or 4 two liters a day at least and i also smoked 2 packs of ciggaretts a day.well anyway its been 2 months since i quit and i feel alot better.still have some rough days but i gets better.that caffeine is some pretty bad stuff.i dont drink any caffeine now.i think that is probably what was wrong with you too.yes i also went to the urgent care twice with chest pain,light head and so on but they couldnt find anything wrong.well hang in there you are not crazy and things will get better just give it time and try to stay active.I just hate to see all these kids drinking these monster drinks.
JoJo Bananas says
re: You must be a doctor since
You must be a doctor since this is excellent advice and makes a lot of sense. I really appreciate your professional diagnosis. Oh, and doctor, it's hybridize, not hyberdize. Thanks. Take 2 and call me in the morning.
Coffee alergies says
re: Caffeine alergies and withdrawl
Caffeine allergies are directly related to many psychological diseases such as paranoia and schizophrenia. But, my guess is your problem is from withdrawl.
Coffee plants have been hyberdized for a few centuries for their high caffeine content. So, most of todays plants are the strongest ever. Conventional coffee is grown with many dangerous petro-chemicals, which through processing end up in your cup of morning jo. I would suggest you switch to an organic or pesticide free brand in order to avoid these chemies, some of which are nervous system toxins.
Never, ever drink coffee on an empty stomach. Try not to eat red meat with your coffee. These combinations will reduce the stress on your stomach acid balance, which directly control if enough amino acids get to your brain.
The social situations I'm guessing are corelated with withdrawl or alergies to caffeine. Its good you're trying to connect the two. Here's a quote from a recent study summary I read: "Although the database is small and not completely consistent, it appears that patients with schizophrenia have high caffeine intakes."
Try gorging on some nice dark chocolate and see if you get the same reactions. That's how you know if its the caffeine in general causing your problems or just the high caffeine coffee. Eventually, most coffee drinkers will develope some sort of caffeine allergies whether they're aware or not.
good luck. I used to get headaches, nausea and vommitting if I stoped taking caffeine. I was a heavy user for about 5 years. And I loved the darkest most potent fresh roasted coffee available. I'm glad I found the connection, god knows what part of body my idiot doc would've tried to cut out.
User says
re: Two weeks
I quit two weeks ago and I am exhausted. I can handle that but now I have this back / leg pain that is actually frightening me. I also thought about having a cup to see if it helped, but I am trying to hang in there! Good luck !
rosie says
re: your post has helped me the
your post has helped me the most i was only wondering how long it took for these symptoms to stop. i feel like i can connect you you the most because i have had every symptom you have had and a bit more was just wondering
thanks rosie
rosie says
re: the symptoms ?
hi, my name is rosie and i have resently started to go through what i believe is caffeine withdrawl. i have had large amounts of anxiety and feeling different. i was drinking monster energy, and i for a few days in a row i was having about 3 on top of sodas and tea and such. when i started to have the symptoms the first was a very bad panic attack. so bad i made my mother take me to the hospital (i am 17 year old btw) the first few days were weird feelinh like there was definetly something wrong with me but mostly anxiety something else was wrong. it is day 8 and most of the symptoms have been passing easily. i was very nausus and anxious and then i was getting some pains in my back and a lot in my stomach for the past couple of days but i think its mostly cause i cant tell when im hungry i had no appetite but am slowly craving things. yesterday i had some bad chest pains that could go away until i lied on my chest and im having a lot of fitful sleep falling asleep for maybe 3 to 4 hours tops at night. i had taken advil for the first few days but then i started talking tylonal extra strength. when ever i started to stress about these symptoms i would read the comments on this site and then feel much better i was also having dry mouth and have had diarrhea this entire time. i had some flu like symptoms, for a day or so my tonsils started to swell but only on one side. whenever i start to think about these chest pains they almost seem to come back but idk i feel like there might be something else wrong with me. i think i may have had an overdose because caffeine never seemed to effect me befor i used to be able to drink a coffee and then go right to bed. i have gone to the doctor twice and both times they told me it was just cause of my anxiety and neither thought it could be caffeen withdrawl. i also had a lot of hot flashes and times where i would start shiver i was so cold. also iv been having very vivid dreams for the past couple of days even though i sleep for only a few hours at a time i have had some very intense dreams. havent thrown up. but they say everyone is different in these situations. there has been a lot of stomach throbing also idk why ... i was wondering if anyone else experienced that? and i also seem to have some kind of sinus infection or stomach bug which i know is going around. i dont feel normal, i dont feel like myself at all i did yesterday but then got cronicly depressed. i dont like taking over the counter drugs they scare me .. but i am trying to seek professional help to see if it may be something i cant think of that is causing all this axiety besided the withdrawls. i was getting very confused int he begining but that has passed and it is still a bit hard to concentrate as im writing this i feel somewhat fine but that because im destracting myself. i dont do anything with my days (i also think that may contribute) i also smoked weed everyday for most of my life i quit smoking cigarettes cause i dont like them and i was drinking a bit heavily for some time but i stopped all that.. it is only day 8 and i know it takes about 9 day to the caffeine completly out of your system. unfortunetly on day 3 since i ha the panic attaack i had a small amout of caffeine without noticing. it was in a vitamin water i was drinking. after reading up on a all of these things that come from caffeine i dont think i ever want it again all though i have been curious to see if drinking a bit of it will make my symptoms pass. ( to see if it is caffeine doing this to me) but am scared to because i dont wana have to deal with this any longer than i have to . if someone has some information as to why i may be feeling the way i am feeling i would love to hear from you. the only thing is i am nervous i will hear something i dont want to :[
thanks for your time
rosie from ct
User says
re: aching legs
Hi, I quit cold turkey 5 days ago. Day 1 was the day of the headache. Day 2 and 3 I felt like I could sleep anywhere, anytime! Day 4, I started getting horrible leg aches, which kept me awake at night, and are still bothering me. They were so troublesome that I am thinking about having a coffee this morning - will they go away if I stay strong? Or are they nothing to do with the caffeine withdrawal?
Kris says
re: 1 week without Caffeine
So far I have been off Caffeine for a week. I have experienced any withdrawl symptoms....yet. When do the symptoms start? I have been a soda Drinker for as long as I can remember, so I thought at 32 it was a great time to leave the soda behind! Im doing it slowly, I was drinking Dr Pepper like crazy, then when I decided to quit Caffeine I switched to Sprite to start...Starting my second week I'm switching to Sprite Zero...then hopefully by the 3rd week on I'll be water only...I hope everyone has a great success with kicking this Caffeine Habit!
kikaida says
re: 5 Months
I've been off of caffeine for 5 months and I am still feeling good. It takes a lot of willpower to quit caffeine. If you were drinking a lot of caffeine like I did, it will take about a good 3 months for the withdrawal symptoms to go away. I don't have any withdrawals symptoms anymore. Hang in there!
User says
re: Nausea after caffeine dose timing change?
Hello,
I have drank one cup of coffee every morning when waking up for probably 5+ years. Last week, my coffee machine started acting up and broke. So while I was researching a new one, I'd wait until I got to work and have a latte or soda. Around the same time, I noticed I was getting nauseated, especially in social situations, for example when someone would come into my office. If I was alone I'd feel fine for the most part, but it seemed when I was in meetings or events, I'd be feeling very sick to my stomach, but never threw up.
At first, I thought I was just sick, but the nausea seemed more and more to be connected to these social situations. I know people change, but it seems odd I would develop social anxiety essentially overnight in my 30s when I've never felt anything like it before. I started thinking of changes in diet made in the last week, and remembered I haven't been having my morning coffee. I usually get something later in the day.
It seems possible these events are connected, has anyone ever experienced anything like this? I definitely haven't gone off caffeine, but perhaps delaying the dose by a few hours has thrown me off? Now I'm considering giving it up altogether after reading some of these threads on this site...
Alicia says
re: supplements to help withdrawal??
Hi all, I have enjoyed reading your posts....they are inspiring and give me hope that I can kick this addiction! I am in my peri-menopausal years (oh, Joy!) and suffer from adrenal fatigue. I know drinking coffee is a major culprit of my symptons and need to quit. I have read on other sites that amino acid supplements help with caffeine withdrawal symptoms. Does anyone have any experience of using supplements to help with the withdrawals?
Thanks in advance!! Good luck to everyone out there!
Denise in Wisconsin says
re: Good luck to you. And I
Good luck to you. And I agree with you - quitting caffeine means all forms of it - tea, chocolate, etc. And personally, I also believe that cold turkey is the only way to do this, horrible as it is. This is an addiction and the only way to get over it is to plow through the withdrawal. Denise
Denise in Wisconsin says
re: Hello Steve!
Wishing you the best of luck, too - and I hope you're health issues are better now. Denise
steven says
re: Quitting coffee
Hi Denise, I am quitting coffee today is my first day.I could not resist writing you inasmuch as your first day is today as well. I just got out of the hospital with a urinary tract infection which kept me bedridden for 2 days. I did not drink coffee for those days,so I may as well continue.I have done this in the past, and it only took about 3 days for me. I do have a headache and some nausea but it is not overwhelming. I figured I may as well try to quit while I am ahead. I am encouraging you as well.I gues april 27 2011 we are both trying to quit.Good luck, Steve from South Carolina