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
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Tresbonius10
re: You are probably just
You are probably just experiencing a lot of anxiety and panic attacks that could possibly come along with an abrubt change in your bodies overall physiology. Your body now has many more receptors that need to be filled in the absence of caffeine and that is just that natural way to cope with it. Don't give up..it takes time. If you want someone to talk to about it, anyone.. e-mail me. [email protected]
I am battling caffeine now and I can tell you..just stick with it.
Good luck
Ann
re: caffeine withdrawal
Its great to read other peoples experiences when giving up the coffee!! This is my third day, and I feel like I could sleep for a week. I had a really bad headache yesterday and had to go to sleep for an hour. Its truly unbelieveable the effect giving up caffeine has on the body. I used to drink about 5 cups a day, but I used to put 2 huge spoons of coffee in each cup!
I tried to give up before, but this time I know there's no more coffee for Annie!
User
re: THANKS
It started for me on Monday night, (its now saturday morning)! I had what i thought was a heart attack, (maybe a bit over dramatic), and then started panacking, so got the wife to take me to hospital at midnight. The nurse at the hospital just told me i had a heart palp, and to go to bed! I had another one the next day, and again panacked, so went to the DR's, who said that it was probably too much caffine.
Right i thought thats it, i'm cutting out all the crap, and starting again. So i stopped all caffine 6-7 cups a day, soft drinks approx 1ltr/day, red wine, 2 large glasses/day and chocolate.
Everything was fine untill last night, apart from the odd headache. Then about 11pm, heart felt like it had stopped!!! , and again panacked, and drove myself to hosp. Had ECG, and all was fine. Dr there said was probably caffine withdrawal! Cant bloody win!
Anyway, this morning, i thought i would google it, and here you all were. Fantastic. It certainly does answer all my questions, and put my mind at rest, (untill the next attack!) Its start of day 5 , so i know that i have got some more anxiety, pains, etc to get through, but now i have started, theres no looking back.
I will certainly try the vits, that were mentioned below, and hopefully, i can get on with my life.
(bit embarrasing this, but i actually cried, reading some of the other comments, when i realised that its not just me.
Thanks.
User
re: I was searching to find
I was searching to find someone that also became dizzy, I had a complete case of vertigo last night (Day 2). Now that it is day three I'm still dizzy. Ughh! How long did your dizziness last? Sorry I can't help with you mental fogginess question, I'm only day three.
Holly
re: Exercise helps the headache...
I'm on day 3 of total caffeine elimination, and I've had the worst headache for the last two days. I have found that during and after my 30-minute daily walk, I feel so much better. Maybe it has something to do with all the extra oxygen, or the endorphins, who knows, but it really helps the headache and fatigue.
User
re: Ringing in the ears!
Ringing in the ears! Interesting. That was one of the worst experiences I had in my life. I had always attributed it to having depresssion or some type of manic episode (although I am not manic). I never attributed all these symptoms to caffeine withdrawal, however it makes sense that ringing in the ears (tinnitus) can occur if you have blood rushing to your head as described above. I wonder how many people are put on anti-depressants after describing these symptoms to their doctor. I am going to quit caffeine first, then smoking. God I feel stupid.
elaine
re: Yesterday (day 1) I didn't
Yesterday (day 1) I didn't understand what I was going through until I read some of your replys. I am thankful to hear I am not alone. I gave up coffee for green tea January 1st. I started mixing green tea and decaf green tea for the last month (twice a day). The last week I had the 1/2 caff green tea once a day with some slight headaches. So, day 1 without any, I walked around with a major headache and just felt completley wacked out all day yesterday. I had several of the side effects people mentioned on here, and I thought I weaned myself. The best advice I read, was treat the headache! I took a motrin. No caffien in motrin, and it worked. I only wished I'd read these earlier in the day. Well I am starting day 2, will see how this one goes.
Kris
re: Gave up soda for lent
I'm not religious but I did give up caffiene for lent, more as a test of strength. I am now on day 15 without soda or coffee. I only get sporadic headaches and I am not anxious anymore, but I still can't shake the fatigue. I am still sluggish and tired during the day. I'm hoping this subsides as well. Its nice to see others who are going through the same thing, but I can't wait until my 40 days are up!
Joe
re: Day 6 from a 44oz Coke-a-day habit. OUCH!
And the headaches just keep on keeping on. WOW! This is one of the hardest things I've ever done. I'm 32, and have been drinking soda since I was a baby. I've got a knot in my throat, severe headaches everyday, and yeah, I swear I thought I had the flu this weekend. This SUCKS!
If I can get past these aches and pains, I'm sure it'll be well worth it. =)
User
re: S.C. Decaf
Forgive my ignorance but you put S.C. Decaf, what does that mean please?
Anonymous
re: Headaches
Hello, Glenn Kawesch here,
The headaches can be so painful. Try the new half caff coffee that is out on the market now.
Good luck!!
Glenn Kawesch
Jane
re: caffeine withdrawal
So encouraging to find this website - living in France means lots of espresso coffee. I decided give up two days ago after years of about cups of tea and 3 cups of ground coffee per day (+ a bit of water!). I knew about the headache which isn't as bad as I expected but the fogginess in my head and wanting to sleep all the time has really surprised me. Tomorrow I have to teach over a 100 pupils feeling like this. But I'm going to stick it out, after I've had another sleep!
Phill
re: Oh My God!
I just got my wisdom teeth out a few days ago, and while on pain killers I didn't realize that I hadn't been having my usual caffeine intake. I had stopped taking the medications and this morning woke up with the most wicked headache which made me incredibly nauseous causing very painful empty stomach vomiting! I didn't know I was an addict, but now I'm on the right path (it feels good to say that:)!).
Thanx guys.
User
re: I am so glad to read these
I am so glad to read these responses. I had been wondering why I was getting so psychotic. I was ready for the headaches, but wasn't prepared for feeling like a total waste land and the dizziness. Thanks for the advice. I will stick it out b/c I know it will be worth it.
MJC
re: Sleepy
This is day one of 0 caffeine (decaf coffee). I have been drinking coffee for 30 years and have never even thought about it much. But the last few years, I have not been able to donate blood because my iron wasn't high enough. They told me it was because the coffee was blocking the iron pills I would take to bring my iron up to donate blood. Anyway, the doctor told me to drink decaf, so the last week I substituted 2/3 of the coffee with decaf while not decreasing my cups per day. I have been sleepy all week and just realised it from reading your notes here. No headaches, because we did it slowly, but this sleepy feeling and cloudy head are something. Thank you for all of your comments. I will continue to monitor how long these feelings last.
User
re: re: Difficulty concentrating
When I gave it up the first time I went for months with serious cravings for soda pop and whatnot. I didn't even realize what the craving was, I just felt i needed some fizzy goodness.
On day 12 I was still thinking about Coke every single day and fighting to keep myself from going down to the machine at work and getting one.
Just stay with it - you will feel better than you do now and will feel better than you ever did under it's clutches.
User
re: same here!
I simply quit drinking soda, I'm not much or a coffee drinker but I drink diet coke like fish drink water. I didn't think that the caffeine had such a huge effect. I've been feeling spacey, sad, tired, and my left arm feels numb. It's been 8 days today and I've still been feeling it up till tonight. Hopefully it will all go away soon. Caffeine is scary.
DJConan
re: No Withdrawal Symptoms Here
I started drinking coffee really young when my parents let me. I can't remember exactly when, but I would guess before I turned 10. While in high school, I "discovered" caffeine pills and found them helpful right through college when I wasn't in the mood for coffee.
I worked a shift at my job that had me up at 5am six days a week and I was up to 2 pots of coffee a day. When I left that job, I was rather turned off by coffee for awhile. I went cold turkey just out of the lack of taste for it. No withdrawals for me.
I've always been on and off with caffeine. I don't go out of my way for it, but I do enjoy a good cup of coffee and I drink a lot of brewed tea. But then for a few weeks I'll be drinking a lot of water and won't touch caffeine. I've never had any physical withdrawals to caffeine. If I hadn't of read and learned so much about caffeine, you would have a hard time convincing me caffeine withdrawals are not made up in the head. 🙂
I guess caffeine just affects some of us differently.
Tresbonius10
re: Difficult Concentrating
I am on day 12 now of caffeine withdrawal and for the most part my symptoms have subsided. My dizziness is pretty much gone, and I no longer am getting any weird anxiety type things. But just wondering, were there any others that it took them a long time to fully be able to concentrate again? It seems like the mental fogginess part is the most difficult thing to overcome.
Hope to hear from someone
Daniel
re: Excedrin for those trying to completely cut out caffeine
I would not suggest taking Excedrin to those trying to completely cut out caffeine. Each Excedrin has 65 milligrams of caffeine. A dose is 2 tablets for a total of 130 milligrams of caffeine. As far as caffeine goes this is about the equivalent of having 2-3 soft drinks. According to the American Beverage Association 8oz of soft drink typically has 20-40 milligrams of caffeine. So Excedrin is not really a way to get rid of the monkey. For someone looking to cut back before stopping I would probably go more for tea if you are coming from coffee or just cutting quantities if you are drinking soft drinks. There is also a no-caffeine option with soft drinks.
Also keep in mind that if you drink a great deal of soft drinks you are taking in quite a bit of sugar or artificial sweetener that your body may miss when it is gone if you go cold turkey.
User
re: i completely feel you on the
i completely feel you on the headache. my headache lasted for three days. it actually turned into a migraine, sensitivity to light, sound, smell, dizziness, weakness, blurred vision. i seriously thought my head was goin to implode! i'm goin on 6 days with no mt dew or dr pepper....also my two weakness for sodas. i can associate with you full heartedly on the pain that one goes through. if the headache continues take some excedrine migraine....it contains a small amount of caffine but it does wonders for the headache.
Kate
re: withdrawals suckkkk
I'm on day 3 of no caffeine, and I feel like I've been run over. My body aches, my head is KILLING me at the moment (and I'm at work, which isn't helping any). I've recently decided that I'm going to go on a diet-- which includes me having to give up my caffeine intake. I usually grab a Starbucks latte in the morning before work, during lunch grab a 32oz. soda from the fountain @ the gas station nearby, and while I'm home, I'll drink 2 or 3 more sodas before bedtime. My guilty pleasures are Dr. Pepper and Mt. Dew.... Anyway, I'm hoping the headaches don't last much longer. They really hurt. My co-workers kind of look at me funny, as if I'm exaggerating about the pain. (unfortunately I'm a 22 y/o amongst a front office of 50 y/o+, so I don't think they'll be having caffeine withdrawls any time soon.)
User
re: I quite drinking caffeine
I quite drinking caffeine about 8 days ago...I am still having withdrawls. I don't feel the need to drink coffee or anything, I just still have touble concentrating and headache. Although not as severe. I think i am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I was drinking about 4-5 cups of coffee and several cokes a day.
User
re: acupuncture
absulutly I have been using this form to quit smoking and am now going to use it to lose weight. also in the near future I plan to give up caffeine , but I feel like smoking you have to set a time and goals to prepare the way. Emotions can make or break anyones successand I truly believe reading self help and talk to people to encourage good habits is key to getting there. But dont feel bad if it takes more then one shot hang in there and eventually you will get so mad at yourself you will learn what doesnt work for you and then adventually find your own recipe with a little help from people who have been there. There is so much help out there just look around go to librarys and sites like this and keep your chin up everything is possible.
Leila
re: caffeine withdrawal
since I was 13 I have been drinking daily about 4 cups of black tea, coupla coffees and a few colas. i have been cutting down on my caffeine intake since recently, went down to one coffee, but the real trouble started when decided to go cold turkey: apart from headaches and sleepiness and difficulty to concentrate on anything, I feel like I have the worst flu ever; my muscle pain is killing me, can hardly sleep at nights, it's been going on for 5 days now.. hope it will end soon.. there's one thing I cannot understand though: why are the caffeine withdrawal symptoms so bad? i mean, it's only caffeine, i never thought it can be that serious, it's worse than quitting smoking...
Arlene
re: i had tea... i just couldnt take it anymore
i too am on day 2 off my caffiene cold turky & i have to say- it's no joke! people are laughing & saying i'm dramatic- but i'm bloody suffering! yesterday was day one- & i actually fell asleep at work. today the dull headache has arrived & ontop of feeling like i've been given a horse tranquilizer i just couldnt take it! & had some tea.
last night i slept so badly- go figure? i was restless the whole night & my dreams were horrible & violent & i actually slept through my alarm clock- which i havent done in a while. i had a cup of strong black tea & i emmidiately feel better, but i really want to stick to this & know what it feels like to function without artificial help...
pat
re: Why in the world would you
Why in the world would you let your gf go theu something like that for 5 hours without taking her to the ER?
Daniel
re: extremely small
There is an extremely small amount of caffeine in defaf coffee but the amounts are very low (2-4 milligrams). See this section of the site for more info.
User
re: Decaf
Are you saying that decaf tea and coffee can still cause these symptoms? I just don't seem to be getting anywhere with my cold turkey and just wondered.
Thank you
User
re: Ugh no more
You're going through withdrawal, but the worst kind; You haven't actually STOPPED taking caffein, just lowered the dose enough to teese the brain but not enough to give it the 'required' dose. The agony won't subside until and unless you take the full step & stop all caffein intake.
The only way is to go cold turkey, stop taking all and any form of coffein - all teas, coffees, soft drinks (many has added caffein to keep you hooked) INCLUDING S.C. DECAF!!! Stick only to water, milk and fruit juices. Take pain killers for the head- & body aches, but read on the box to make sure they don't contain ANY caffein.
Within days you will feel so much more relaxed in your body though the fogginess might linger a bit but that too should be gone in a couple of weeks.
Good luck and enjoy life without addiction.
FREEDOM
Isn't it nice not to be dictated to by a substance (give me my fix, give me my fix)....
M.
Cara
re: I am never drinking Caffeine again!!!!
Day 2 and I feel ill! Woke up with a light headache which increased throughout the day - I thought I had flu and went to bed for a 3 hour nap after lunch. This evening I have taken lots of anti-oxidants ate some food and sincerely hoping I will feel better in the morning. After reading the comments, I am not so sure 🙁 Still.... I am going to continue going cold turkey and promise myself not to drink tea/coffee again. My body is certainly telling me this!!
Good luck everyone...
goops
re: If you were drinking diet
If you were drinking diet pop you may be experiencing not only caffeine withdrawal but aspartame withdrawal too. Aspartame withdrawal is far worse and it is better if you only give up one addiction at a time. Aspartame is very dangerous, so if you are using it - give that one up first. I had the heart flutter, strange head and anxiety attacks. I found that drinking Aloe Vera juice made the anxiety attacks better - get a good quality juice from a whole foods store.
If you want more information on aspartame - there is a very good support group:
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartame/
I did not realize that aspartame was so addicting until I had to give it up. I was so addicted to it I would have to get up in the middle of the night and drink a Diet Coke.
User
re: disrupted health balance
I have been a daily coffee drinker since my first years at college about 13 years ago. After working at a couple coffee shops my addiction really grew, especially for straight black drip coffee, the darker the better. I had been drinking nearly half a pot to myself daily always finding a way to get some. As well I was a regular pot smoker(people who know, know what I'm talking about...regular). Amazingly neither of these things really seemed to effect my life eroniously until recently. I started feeling wierd sharp pains in my legs, arms and elsewhere. I went to the doctor to find out what was up, I started thinking and was told I hap symptoms in line with M.S.. I wasn't convinced after reading about typical symptoms and started doing research into it further. My conclusion was that I had been robbing my body of nutrients and minerals through my bad habbits. After quitting both bad habbits my symptoms have subsided, although initially the caffine withdrawls left me feeling very weird in the head. At first I thought they were related to my leg pains but after assesing the timing of my quitting coffee I realized my mental fogginess only started after I stopped drinking caffeine. Very scary stuff... Needless to say I am reformed, balance within your diet and leisure activities and life in general is the true path to well being. Don't do too much of anything except excersise......
MrrUser
re: caffiene withdrawal
Dear carolathome,these symptoms are all your addicted cells in open revolt.You have the same withdrawal symptoms that all caff junkies will realize when they make the choice to halt intake.Now the good news.When I stopped all coffee and sodas 6days ago I was already decreasing amounts over 2 weeks.I also became ill at the same time,cold maybe?Immune response?Now I am rebounding.I havr new energy and no desire for caff or refined sugars,my moods are improving.I feel better spiritually(and this is the best change so far),than I have for most of my adult life.Caffiene is responsible for ahost of illnesses that are missed in medical and mental circles.Distrust any diagnosis that you make of your present condition until you have been caffiene free for 2 weeks .IT WILL GET BETTER.Mrr
Anonymous
re: i feel your pain
i have had same head ache for almost a week. i was a dew freak. i went from a twelve pack to 2 pepsi's a day. one in the morning and one at night. i have had panick attacks and pain in my left wrist. i am starting to think i am crazy and i have been afraid that i wont wake up. i have made an appointment with my dr. i hope she can help me... has any one had the same problems???
carolathome123 @ yahoo.com
Anonymous
re: UGH
I am a dew holick. i went from almost a twelve pack a day to 2 pepsis a day. i have had the same headache for almost a week now and i am haing panick attacks. I guess i am wondering if any one has the same symptoms as i am. i am cold all the time with this headache. and my left wrist herts and i have a flutter in my chest.. please some one tell me im not nuts!!!!
HELP!!!!
Stephanie
re: The pain!
I am only on day 2 and i feel so sick. My head feels like it is going to implode and my stomach is so nauseated.. I had to have my morning cup-o-joe but that is a massive cutback from normal. tomorow I am not even going to let my self have that one cup. I have got to get off of this stuff. Quitting smoking didn't hurt this much. Do they have a patch for coffee?
SG
re: Green Tea
Hi Pauline,
I sorry to say that green tea contains caffeine. That's probably the reason you feel so good after taking it. Likewise, you probably can't come out of withdrawal because your causing your body to peek on a fix, hence the relapse(s). Try using the B vitamins and toasted barley instead.
Good luck!!
SG
Drinking too long and too much
re: OMG!!!
Oh, man. I'm on day 4 of no caffine. I've been a diet coke drinker for about 20 years now and was up to about 6-8 12oz cans a day. My head starting hurting the first day and has not stopped. Today I left work early because I just couldn't concentrate. I used to drink coffee but thought that I would be slick and switch to diet coke after doctors told me to quit after a check up for heart palpatations. So, needless to say I really didn't help myself any (just switched the addiction). Anyway, I just want the headache to go away.
Anonymous
re: PaulineI'm now on day 12 of
Pauline
I'm now on day 12 of caffeine withdrawal. Having had four wonderful days over the weekend where I felt so well, at peace, better than I had done in ages, I suddenly had a blip.
Does anyone know if an injection for a tooth filling could have made the symptoms worse again? It seems to have happened after that. But I am back to the dizziness, feeling sick and the palpitations.
Maybe what I am doing wrong is if I wake in the night and can't' sleep I have a few small sips of green tea and this usually helps.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you
Glenn Kawesch
re: Caffeine Withdrawal
I get headaches and feel light-headed, but it only lasts a couple of days.
Thanks,
Glenn Kawesch
Pikaso
re: Withdrawls - suck
Day three for me.. I feel like I am in a fog.... I was a DEW fiend for years, switch to coffee to cut out the mass sugar then to Black Tea... Typical Long days and short nights, I have ended up with a case of the twitches... like a popcorn popper going off all over, and much worse under stress... I couldn't take it any more, so I pulled the plug on the whole caffeine intake channel...
----suck---- I feel like a slug.... freaking tired and can't think.
So the twitches are slowing down, significantly - which is good. I slept ok last night,,, but am looking forward to just getting through this month. I had to go cold turkey about 10 years ago because of heart palpitations (sp?), but took a job that has had me working 60hrs a week plus opened an online business to enhance the income stream.... plenty of long days took me right back to the feine.. Now I feel like a pile of dung... and I am a twitching mess...
So I am drinking a lot of detoxify tea and taking vitamins.... reading the other posts, may consider some more B-complex types.. I wish everyone else who has chosen a cleaner path the best of luck! I know it is worth it, just keep getting suckered back in to compensate for the lack of sleep... Never again (right...)
Anonymous
re: Thank you for sharing your
Thank you for sharing your story, it really does help when you are going through those terrible early days.
I'm on day 9 and thought I was over the worst but slap bang, symptoms return for a day. I did start cold turkey and now wish that I had taken it more gradually.
I wonder if anyone knows if an injection for a filling could have made the symptoms re-occur, as this is what I had yesterday.
Apart from that, the last 3 days have been so wonderful, peaceful and a healthiness that I haven't felt in years. Carry on .....
Pauline
Anonymous
re: My experience
I'd like to thank everyone for this site it really has helped me not to feel as if I am going mad or have some serious illness.
I'm on day 10 and after 3 days of feeling really well, better than in years, I have suddenly slumped again. I wonder if it could be the result of a tooth filling yesterday, the injection that they use? Anyone know the answer? Just feel like I'm back to where I was about 6 days ago.
Pauline
SG
re: Seven Days and counting
What's amazing about my caffeine withdrawal experience is even though only one short week has passed it seems more like a month or perhaps two since I started my fast. But that's good. I suppose its like a mother forgetting the pains of labour soon after the birth of her child.
I still feel sleepy at times, but I can see my daily patterns changing. Staying up late is becoming harder and waking in the mornings is unusually good. Don't get me wrong, when I get out of bed I still feel like a tram has just stomped over me, but my head is so clear now and once my body follows I feel totally different - calm, content and even satisfied.
I notice that I'm a little slower than before, but this should eventually subside.
The headaches have gone ... COMPLETELY!!! So have the nausea and the "internal rage". In fact, the demons have left the biulding. I don't crave coffee despite even having made it for others (I use the barley instead) and I don't think about it anymore either.
Even though the literature states that severe withdrawal may last only 2-3 days, I'm sure that's true only for controlled conditions. The real world is different and perhaps a week or more is needed. Having said that, I'm sure that what caused a dramatic change in my crisis was the use of Folate suppliments. On the educated assumption that caffeine disrupts certain vitamins and that certain vitamins act as mood stabilisers I started taking a megadose of folate and an ACE product. Sure enough someone else mentioned her naturopath's prescription, which I must agree with. It really does help, so much so, that my symptoms significantly subsided after the vitamin therapy. I don't mean I eventually started to feel better, I mean significantly better than expected and certainly more pronounced than what I would imagine the natural course of the the withdrawal would otherwise have been. In fact, the headaches all but disappeared by the following day.
For the first time in years, my digestion has improved and I don't have that inflamed gut feeling and I don't feel bloated either. That alone is worth the effort, even though I sleep better, eat better and generally feel better now than I have in a very long time.
All I can say is that since stopping with coffee and all caffeine products I have realised that I had created vicious cycle of late nights and early mornings fueled by caffeine to counter the effects of fatigue, which would lead to further late nights etc. Essentially, I was drinking coffee to counter the consequences of drinking coffee!
Stick with it, drink lots of water, take the Vitamins and you will get through it.
Good luck
SG
User
re: I have quit coffee in the
I have quit coffee in the past, and I know it is hard. The first time, I went cold turkey. Soon, I got back into drinking coffee...it is so easy when you are offered coffee at every turn. The rituals of making it, adding stuff to it, holding it, and sipping it are very nice. Plus it just smells so good!
The second time I quit, I followed my doctor's advice to do it gradually by mixing regular and decaf. Each day, increase the amount of decaf in the blend until you reach total decaf (just don't fall into the trap of drinking more cups of coffee to make up for the caffeine you have taken out). As you go, introduce some non-caffeine drink like herbal tea into your life habits. You still will experience the symptoms of withdrawal, but they will come at you a little at a time, not like a truck hitting you. I also tried to change my thinking about the great smell of coffee...treating it like a pleasant smell such as roses or pine trees. That helped.
I felt great when I was totally caffeine-free. I had more energy than coffee ever gave me. Nonetheless, after a long while, I started coffee again...it is just so pleasant to share a cup of coffee with friends. I want to quit again, though. I feel bad most of the time. I have odd health symtoms that might be related to caffeine, and it seems like I have to drink more and more to feel o.k. And I never seem to reach that feeling of total energy anymore.
Coffee just isn't worth it.
Otto
re: Moved to tea
Going cold turkey never worked for me. I always caved in after a few hours. This time I decided to take it in steps. I used to have a 5am cup daily but managed to move it to 6am then 7am. I filled only half the cup and could soon wait until 9am, trembling. I still had my 3pm cup but went to a smaller cup there also. I cut out the occasional 6pm cup. Now I am drinking tea and only one cup a day, late mornings. I feel the withdrawals, especially in the mornings, but they are very managable and does not dominate my life. It's taking me several weeks but I am not caving in because it's not overwhelming. I still stare at my wife's increadibly aromatic dripping coffee pot in the morning and I might even take a deep breath walking by, but I not sipping it. I will survive and I will succeed! Good luck to all of us!
--Otto
Kat
re: Caffeine is a socially acceptable addiction
I've experienced caffeine as being both physically and mentally addictive. In fact, I'm typing this at 5:50 in the morning because I can't sleep from the headaches the withdrawal is giving me. And well, if I had a drug it would be speed. Maybe I'm the only one that feels this way, but I like myself better when I'm caffeinated. I'm funnier because I'm more alert and I can do chores around the house that I haven't had the motivation to do otherwise. I thought I could handle 2 12-oz cans of Coke a day, but that's why I'm suffering now 8-(
Anyway, maybe you can use me as an example of other people getting addicted to a seemingly harmless drug. I'm gonna take aspirin and moan some more now...
mrr
re: caffeine withdrawal
Trust me,I know about this subject. In June,`02 I started having pain in the heel of my left foot. Being a landscaper,I spent many hours on my feet. I also had gained alot of weight the previous winter which didn't help matters. I had a few injuries as a child and figured the combination of factors was what was causing this pain. I sought help from the medical industry,which was my first wrong turn.After numerous steroid injections,X-rays,MRI,CAT scans,multiple M.D.`s, all with their own spin on things i started to spiral down into constant pain, constant depression,financial ruin from doctor and hospital bills.Then began the psychological toll.I was otherwise healthy,"WTF is wrong with me?." I was a 35 yr. old male,w\ no previous health issues.(Did I mention that consuming 3-5,20.oz Coca colas,4 cups of drip coffee,and plenty of nast-food was my dietary regimen?).I failed to see the connection." Dammit Jim,I`m a landscaper not a doctor".(Did I fail to mention that I was raging on my family, co-workers,girlfriend,total strangers) I failed to see the connection.Pain meds did nothing but give me pill hangovers(more depression-more rage).By this time,I was suicidal,no joke!!!.Second wrong turn;I must tell you with all honesty that Mariju was the only thing that seemed to bring me back from the brink. If I hadn`t been able to burn a "J"every so often I would not be here today!Being arrested for growing my own treatment was the next hurdle, Aug,2004., also the key to this mystery that had eluded the best Mmed.minds.The first night in jail was the worst head ache i have ever experienced in my life ,deprived of my coffee and sodas my mind was reeling,I was in hell!! In the next few weeks,I started feeling more mentally clear than I can ever remember.I was in jail,why do i feel so good?I was unable to keep myself from writing,drawing,reading,I hadn`t done any of these things for years.I failed to see the connection!!!!!After 93 days in jail,(misdemeanor),I was free.When I was released into the free world,the first thing I saw was my girlfriend.The second thing i saw was a can of Pepsi.After two days of freedom I re-connected with my old coffee/soda addiction.That was Feb.2005.After a couple of weeks,the rage came back.The girlfriend left ,the new job ended,(I quit after losing my temper with a co-worker).I FAILED TO SEE THE CONNECTION!!!It is 9:35 p.m.,Feb., 2007.It has taken me a few hours to type this on the computer.I have had a rough week trying to detoxify slowly from caffeine.Almost 2 years to the day from my jail release date,I am walking out of the caffeine jail.I stopped all soda this week.I switched to green tea(15 m.g. caf. per 8oz.),instead of coffee.The headaches and muscle tremors,heart palps,blowing chunks,irritibility are leaving for the last time!!!!I SEE THE CONNECTION!!!!! I remember my first Coca cola.Age 7.My parents would not allow them.They were right. Good luck,you can be free too!! P.S.,The green tea is a detox substitute.After a few days, that caffeine will be removed from my diet as will all chocolate,soda,energy drinks etc.Read labels,as caffeine is in almost every type of food and beverage venue.If it weren`t addictive,it wouldn`t sell!!!!!!!peace
User
re: Herbal weight loss pills have caffeine.
Be very careful with herbal weight loss preparations. THe ingredients will not list CAFFEINE but there are usually herbs in these pills that act like caffeine. Many people have arrived at emergency with heart palpitations and there have actually been cases of heart failure with caffeine/diet pill overdose.
I am a personal trainer, and deal with clients on a regular basis who are tempted by all the hype with the fast weight loss promised with the diet/supplement industry.
Its is simple; Calories in/ calories out. Up the physical activity, and cut out the white stuff (sugar, refined carbohydrates), watch the fat content of your diet, and the pounds will come off SLOWLY which is the best way.