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
Denise in Wisconsin says
re: Sarah, do you remember being
Sarah, do you remember being very tired? I am on Day 41 without ANY caffeine. I've been very tired for the last week and a half and I am hoping it's just another withdrawal symptom. As I read down your list, I'm so happy to realize that I've experienced many of the same things you've experienced. My creative side has amazingly re-awakened (once again enjoying writing, reading, music) and my tolerance for TV has diminished (when I was using caffeine, I would happily sit on the couch watching mindless junk on TV). I experienced a few days of depression, but thankfully, that didn't last. And my teeth are SO white! 😀 The only thing that's bumming me out is the tiredness. Thank you for reminding me about healing the adrenal glands. I'm sure that it's going to be a slow process, but each day brings me a day closer. Thanks for reading this.
Dave MM says
re: Hello, Sarah. First of all,
Hello, Sarah. First of all, congratulations on cutting down your caffeine usage! It is nice to read about all of the positive effects you noted that came from less caffeine. I'm greatly encouraged reading about your improved cognitive abilities and memory, as I have been concerned that stopping my own use of caffeine will negatively affect these areas.
I was also wondering, how often do you drink tea in the morning? I ask because I've tried this kind of moderation in the past, and failed miserably. Eventually, I would have a tea every morning, and then later in the day and then.....well, you probably get the picture. In any case, your willpower must be significantly greater than mine in that regard 🙂 Also, I approve of your choice of Earl Grey. It has always been mine and my Dad's favorite tea.
Continued best wishes on your reduced caffeine lifestyle.
Dave
John C says
re: congratulations! and thanks
congratulations! and thanks for the tip about 'allowing some time' to get going in the morning.
p.s. watch out for decaff; I think it's actually about 1/5 of normal caff; it is still caff..
jaki says
re: Thanks John
Thanks a lot, John, that was genuinely helpful - as I HAVE been relentlessly beating myself up about relapsing, or rather, never really getting started properly. Strangely, this morning, I do feel calm, and after such an inner fight, I feel ready to say, 'Today is the day I will give up caffeine for good and re-claim my life and health - Day 1'. I agree, it's recovery for life. I've read on other forums that some allow themselves to have the odd cup now and again but I can't do that, as I would relapse (and go on the sugar). And like you said, I also don't want to put poison in my body and brain! I've been reading up on the PAWS but haven't got past the initial stage yet but I guess I'll deal with that stage when I get to it - hopefully!
I've been remembering that when I gave up coffee and tea about 14-15 years ago, when I went super-healthy with my diet (all pure, unprocessed foods, lots of water and absolutely no sugar/animal products, at all) and lost 5stones 5lbs, I didn't suffer any withdrawal symptoms or feel at all ill. I was drinking a lot more coffee than I have been, as well. I was younger, of course, and only drinking instant. Maybe it's been all of those Costas and Starbucks I've had over the last 5 years or so that got me addicted. Anyway, makes you think.
Well, thanks, again, and wishing you strength and determination. It must surely get the the point where the body and mind re-set and lose the desire for it, once and for all? Best wishes:)
Jackie
P.S. I'm from Leicestershire:)
.
Sam Bankhead says
re: Chanix & caffeine
Thanks for your reply,if you google Chantix for caffeine addiction
You will see a few posts that people noticed that they didn't
seem to want or injoy coffee as much as they did before
taking Chantix, these people obviously werent trying to quit
coffee as I am but noticed this effect.Im going to try to get
my doctor to give me a script because I'm trying to get off
both of them because one drives the other and if it can help
with the caffeine,all the better.
Sam
Sarah says
re: It's been about 6 months now
It's been about 6 months now that I have been (mostly) caffeine-free. Once in awhile I will drink a cup of Earl Grey tea in the mornings but I have given up coffee entirely, no iced teas, coke, etc, for me! Here's what I can report after 6 months -
1.) My mind is still much sharper, and my writing skills vastly improved. I am convinced caffeine really does a number on your mental acuity.
2.) Mood. I know that quitting has improved my mood, especially when I don't drink much alcohol and lay off sugar, then my mood improves significantly. I also no longer get morning aggression/irritability that I used to get brought on by my daily morning cuppa joe.
3.) Depression. This goes with mood. I do see an improvement for sure but there are many other contributing factors that I must also consider as I try to deal with this issue holistically.
4.) Joint pain. This has been one of the most striking improvements since quitting caffeine. I no longer have any joint aches or pains or random, phantom body aches since quitting. This has been HUGE!!! Along with...
5.) Dizziness totally gone! This is also a MAJOR improvement! I went from feeling dizzy and/or carsick at random times but every single day of my life and that has been completely eliminated by eliminating caffeine!
6.) 3 o' clock slump much less noticeable, though still noticeable due to the fact that my adrenals have not healed yet, they are slowly improving. Healing the adrenals takes time. Plenty of time. I still drink alcohol, but a lot less frequently, but enough to slow down the healing process here. I no longer feel I *need* to take a nap or I am going to collapse. I used to feel that way and I'd reach for another source of caffeine, usually loaded with sugar too. Now it simply passes without much drama.
7.) Skin is still nicer and more hydrated.
8.) Teeth are brighter.
9.) I have more energy in the mornings after a brief period of needing to wake up. Instead of reaching for coffee, I just allow my body this needed wake up time and eat some breakfast and have some herbal tea or some Zevia soda (made with Stevia), or lemon water. There are many options for breakfast drinks. I tried to drink some coffee around Christmas as I was staying with my family and they had made some. I couldn't even get much down. It tasted so nasty to me anymore. I drank about 1/3 of the cup and was done. At other times when a coffee sounded so good and it was snowing outside or whatever, same thing happened. I could only drink 1/3 of the cup and I couldn't take anymore, due to it no longer tasted very good to me. I will admit I had a Starbucks soy mocha a few weeks ago (just a tall one) and this tasted fantastic to me but I have decided this will be a treat I will allow myself maybe once every 2 weeks during the summer. I will try decaf next time. I forgot they even made decaf espresso. Silly me.
Overall, I am still very, very pleased with the results of quitting caffeine. I know it takes about a year for your brain to go back to normal after you quit, so I am halfway there! I look forward to updating you all with my progress at that point. It is very much so worth it to quit. I can't believe my dizziness and joint pain is totally eliminated. I can't believe how much sharper my mind is. I can even say that around Christmas I was drinking an Earl Grey tea every morning and I noticed I was not as sharp, so it is my belief that even a little bit of caffeine can adversely effect one's thinking skills. Memory is definitely better as well. I am so happy I am healing my brain from the effects of this drug. I wish you all the best on your own journey to caffeine liberation. You won't regret quitting!
Denise in Wisconsin says
re: Brilliant!
John,
You have captured in words the feeling when that right moment hits! The surfer analogy is perfect. I have told Jaki and Dave MM previously that something within me just snapped, but you have described the moment far more accurately. And you're correct - it wasn't the most logical of times, there was no big date to commemorate or big event to count down to. It was just another day - March 16. But somehow, I just knew that I would never touch caffeine again. The time was right to say goodbye to it for good. I guess my message to everyone still struggling with the addiction is that John is absolutely right. Don't beat yourself up, don't overthink it, but just keep striving.
Dave MM says
re: Mindset
Hi, John. The following lines were very interesting to me:
"My mindset is that I'm in recovery for life. But that's ok, that's better than being on the poison."
Even though I am still on the bean, that is the conclusion I've come to as well. Currently, I am consuming 500mg or so of caffeine each day to even feel 'normal'... but I'm not even sure what the hell normal is anymore. I've never been caffeine free for any extended period of time...so I'm not sure what caffeine-free life will be like (although I'm hopeful), but by default it has to be better than this.
Thanks for your updates and excellent insight. Your continued success and improvement inspires me, as I'm sure it does for others as well.
Dave
violet says
re: I would like to start by
I would like to start by saying a very heartwarming "thank-you" to all who replied to my very first comment. In the last week I have managed to read almost every comment here, well worth the time spent, believe me, I have been so inspired to "stay the course." This past Monday was my one week "anniversary" of being caffeine free. Can you believe that this is the longest I have E V E R gone without caffeine of some sort in my body? I am so proud of myself, I couldn't have done it if it were not for finding this forum. Now, all that said, wow, the withdrawal symptoms are brutal!! I had the token thumper of a headache, accompanied by terrible pains in my hips (the worst), legs and lower back. All of these symptoms have now subsided, thankfully, and I feel as though it can only get better, providing I keep my positive energy in tact. One tip, that has worked for me is this, when I wake up in the morning I pour some orange/banana juice into my coffee cup, only 1/4 cup, and then I fill the rest of the cup with boiling water. Sometimes I had a slice of lemon or lime to kick it up a notch. I sit and watch the morning news and sip my "new brew." This way I can still keep up my comforting morning ritual, minus the caffeine. Just pick your favorite juice and give it a try. Thanks again for the encouragement and support. V
John Campbell says
re: Hi Jaki
I'm from UK, like
Hi Jaki
I'm from UK, like you!
Things that helped me launch;
1. being easy on myself when previous attempts failed into relapse; I did not beat myself up, but just got ready to try again.
2. waiting for a time when it felt right, like a surfer waiting for a convenient wave. To my surprise the good times to launch were not always obviously logical. Some stress phase might still be continuing, but it still felt calm inside and right to launch.
My mindset is that I'm in recovery for life. But that's ok, that's better than being on the poison.
The Post Acute Withdrawal stuff appearing here (and on wiki) is interesting; I certainly identify with some of the symptoms mentioned (problems making decisions and getting things done, and anxiety). Maybe they'll disappear after 6-24 months.
The battle continues - I was very tempted today - but it's one day, and sometimes one hour, at a time......
Very best wishes
jaki says
re: Thanks Dave:)
Hi, Dave, hope you're awap:) I've been having a bit of a meltdown about my continued lack of success but have just read your reply to Violet - and it did help, thanks. I think I've been obsessing and focussing on the negatives and creating the mindset where I've been thinking that it's gone beyond the point of no return etc. You wrote "it is time to elininate caffeine from my life" and it just jumped out and spoke to me. I pray to God that it's my time and that I can do it NOW. I'm still feeling that fear I spoke to you about but surely I can learn to pass through it and come out on the other side. I NEED to be bigger than my addiction and what you said made me feel that maybe I CAN be. So thanks and I hope you and your family are well:) I will be rooting for you next month. Very best wishes:)
jaki says
re: Hello ahuman 🙂
Wow, that really is impressive that you've been caffeine-free for 7 months - big congrats! It gives me hope that it can be well and truly beaten and I found your post to be very inspiring - so thank you very much for posting:) May I please ask you what finally gave you the impetus to say, that's it, I've had enough and I'm giving it up! I'm asking everyone atm to try to get some renewed inspiration, as I'm finding it so hard to find the necessary resolve. I've been posting on here for just over a month and am still struggling. Sometimes, I think I'm obsessing about it and thinking about it too much, as you mentioned. Why can't I just DO IT and be done with it?! Anyway, thanks a lot and best of luck for continued success. Jackie from the U.K.
jaki says
re: Hello John
That's really great news that you're still going strong at day 60, despite temptation rearing its ugly head. Does it EVER go away, do you think? I do remember (not as long ago as you'd think) that, once, I couldn't stand the taste or smell of coffee. It was too bitter and acrid and, as I was eating very healthily back then, it felt almost like a poison. I feel so angry and disappointed with myself that I'm now STILL struggling - despite all the help I've had from all the good people on here. I feel like such a failure, utterly weak and such a hypocrite. But I've also read that people have been struggling for years before they've managed to finally give it up. That gives me hope but, also, makes me terrified. Will I struggle for another couple of years? John, do you remember what finally made you say, right, that's it, I've had enough? How did you find that inner resolve? Anyway, I do find your posts so helpful and really do wish you continued strength and determination. Btw, do you mind if I ask if you are from the States, as your name suggests otherwise? Very best wishes 🙂
jaki says
re: Congrats, Randy!
That is SO amazing that, after a 10 month battle, you've finally re-claimed your health and life...and that you've worked out what has been aggravating your anxiety! It must have been SUCH hard work and I really am happy for you:) I, too, am a great believer in putting fresh, wholesome foods etc into the body - you eat well, you feel well. Five years ago, I was a committed vegan who ate whole, unprocessed food and never touched tea/coffee. I felt fantastic! But then various on-going problems/stress sent me running away to that caffeine boost, as an escape, and here I am, addicted and still struggling, after over a month of trying to stop. But your post was truly inspirational so big thanks from me for posting:) Very best of luck for continued better health and please keep the forum updated:) Jackie from the U.k.
Dave MM says
re: Hello, Sam. I've heard some
Hello, Sam. I've heard some interesting ideas, but I've never heard of anyone taking Chantix for caffeine cessation. From what I understand about the mechanism by which Chantix works, it blocks the nicotine molecules from binding to certain receptors in your brain. I won't go full-on Science nerd here, but it should theoretically not be as effective against caffeine.
Chantix may lessen the caffeine withdrawal symptoms somewhat, but will bring it own side effects, like nausea. And then you will have withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking the Chantix. On top of that, your healthcare provider likely won't give you Chantix for the purpose of quitting caffeine. But if someone was already going to take Chantix to stop smoking, it would be an interesting experiment to see if they could use it to kick caffeine as well. Best of luck Sam, whatever you decide to do.
Dave MM says
re: Hello, Randy.Â
Hello, Randy. Congratulations on being caffeine free for 10 months! It is also nice to hear about the other positive health changes you have made. Did you feel that it was easier to abstain from the sugar when you weren't using caffeine? I ask because I tend to get these intense carb (i.e. sugar) cravings when I'm on high levels of caffeine. It is now t-minus 2 weeks until I attempt to kick caffeine out of my life for good. In any case, keep up the great work.
Dave
Randy says
re: 10 Month Update
Hello... I'm clean of caffeine going on 10 months now and I feel really really good. My journey has been up and down, but along the way, I leaned my issues weren't all tied to just caffeine. 10 months ago... June 3rd... I had this horrible feeling of anxiety that would not go away. Looking back, I now realize my anxiety had been building over the years, but this time was different. This time the anxiety just wouldn't go away... I felt sick to my stomach and experienced multiple panic attacks. I even experience heart palpitations that put me in the emergency room at one point.
I did a ton or research to try and find a cause and thank God, I found this web site!
So, my first inclination was to give up caffeine, which came with additional side affects that included headaches, disrupted sleeping, chills, dizziness, nausea... I had it bad. Things seemed to be slowly getting better and better, but the anxiety persisted. After two months, I decided to give up sugar... and I mean 100%. This too seemed to make things better... after two months I started losing weight... like a half pound to a full pound a day until I lost 22 pounds (from 189 down to 167) until my weight leveled off at 167 - 170. The weight loss turned out to be a side affect of zero sugar in the body, but I noticed the axiety kept creeping back up... it was nowhere near what it had been, but it was still there. One month ago, I had been feeling really good for a solid month when I started experiencing minor anxiety. This is the turning point, so bear with me 🙂 All this time... for years now, I've been taking steroid based allergy medicines. I've been told over and over by my doctors that these wouldn't cause any of the symptoms I had been experiencing. I realized though, that I had starting taking my allergy medication a few days prior to this latest bout of anxiety, so I decided to cut out my allergy medication all together (I switch to an off the shelf anti-histamine).
It's now been a month and I FEEL GREAT! In fact, I think this is the best I've ever felt in my life. I believe between my allergy medicine, caffeine, and sugar, they were all acting as amplifiers of my nature anxiety. I think years of usage of all three slowly changed my body chemistry. Put them all together, and they slowly pushed me toward a cliff. I'll try and keep you all posted, but I'm happy to say I think I finally got it all figured out... I pray this helps.
Denise in Wisconsin says
re: John Campbell and ahuman
Thank you both for your posts. John, I appreciate you mentioning slip-ups like chocolate. Trust me - chocolate, anything "de-caf" and, of course, "just a sip" of coffee are on my forbidden list. I don't ever want to go through a withdrawal again. This past Easter holiday was quite a test of my mettle ... gallons of coffee, Cokes and chocolate candy everywhere. But I sailed through it. I feel "safer" now that I am in Month 2, but I do know that I still have a long, long way to go. I am grateful to have people like you to admire and learn from.
ahuman - it's so good to see a post from you! The Post-Acute Withdrawal symptoms are absolutely real. I find that I am now very, very tired. The most violent of the withdrawal symptoms are gone (brainfog, nightmares, headache), but I believe that right now my body is re-adjusting and trying to learn how to cycle itself through a day/night without being assaulted by a hot drug several times each day. And I totally agree with you about supplements ... I'm not overloading my already stressed-out CNS with anything. Just a basic supplement and lots of water.
It's also interesting to read that PAWS may peak in intensity after 3 to 6 months. Good grief. I do have a long way to go, but I'm feeling better and better. Congratulations to you on 7 months without caffeine!! Stay strong! And please keep posting here. (Kikaida ... if you are reading this, please check in when you have time!) Thank you all so much. Denise
sam says
re: I was wondering if anyone
I was wondering if anyone have heard of using Chantix for quitting caffeine?
Sam
Dave MM says
re: As someone who is afraid of
As someone who is afraid of what the future might hold mentally without caffeine, your comments are exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you for coming back to post. I'm trying to remember when I would have been off of caffeine for seven full months, and I'm not really coming up with anything 🙂 Maybe since age 3 or so, lol. I currently cannot imagine the willpower that you have to avoid caffeine for seven months, but someday soon I hope to know. Please come back from time to time to keep everyone updated. My sincerest congratulations on kicking your habit.
Dave
Dave MM says
re: Hi, Violet. It is awesome
Hi, Violet. It is awesome that you have made the decision to stop your caffeine addiction. I too have reached the breaking point where I've realized that it is time to eliminate caffeine from my life, and will be right there with you going caffeine free here in two weeks.
But you are wrong about something.... your addiction has most definitely not reached the point of no return. Stopping will be very difficult, but you can do this. My advice would be not to focus on how bad you feel, or the terrible things happening to your body [and some of them will be terrible :)].... but try to focus on the incremental improvement. Improvement will come and eventually you will feel much better, and it will be your body's own energy, not your body stimulated by an artificial substance. Best of luck to you, Violet. Please keep us all updated on your progress.
Dave
John Campbell says
re: day 60
goimg well, but some moments of real temptation e.g. yesterday, after some exhausting social days. thankfully my wife was 'very worried', and that got through my thick skull and prevented me making a big error. brain feels good.
in recent days have come off alcohol too: some anxiety symptoms and early hours waking due to withdrawal.
have been running 40mins+ daily, which helps both as a stress reliever and a strength-giver.
John Campbell says
re: go Denise! congratulations on
go Denise! congratulations on one month. Watch out for slip-ups; just one small sip of coffee is Not allowed! and decaff and chocolate Do have caffeine in them!
John Campbell says
re: go Violet! pretty soon you'll
go Violet! pretty soon you'll start feeling that your brain and thinking are less garbled. I'd recommend throwing all the coffee capsules and other coffee out of your home - avoid tempting moments.
Terilynn says
re: Your caffeine post..
Hi Dave, I am at work but very interestedin talking to you about this. Would you please contact me via my email.
Thanks a bunch!
Teri
ahuman says
re: Check in
Just thought i would check in to help anyone in the midst of suffering. Its been about 7 months and i feel pretty normal again. So if you want to endure the symtoms, i can tell you it will end at some point.
Dont get all caught up in suppliments or other crap to try and help. It really is just time that lets your brain re-adjust. The more you obcess over it the worse it will be. I had it bad so i know, and it is easier for me to say this now that my brain has pretty much readjusted. If you have bad withdrawls it will put your body under stress and you may have other symtoms from that.
http://www.tlctx.com/ar_pages/paw_part1.htm
I'm still not 100% i still have some PAWS symtoms at times, I have a hard time concentrating at times and thoughts can be harder than normal to get out sometimes. But it gets better all the time. I just feel slow sometimes.
The funny thing is that you will realize it gave you nothing extra it was actually slowing you down once you became tolerant of it. I have the same eneergy now as i did when i was drinking maybe even better at times.
Good luck!
Denise in Wisconsin says
re: Hi Violet!
You have found a wonderful resource in this forum. There are many, many people who are fed up with their caffeine addictions and who want to improve their health and stop relying on a drug to get through each day. Welcome!
You have made the right decision, IMHO. It is so, so difficult to get through the first few days/weeks without wanting to run back to caffeine for the "boost" it gives. Unfortunately, the perceived energy from caffeine isn't real - it's just a drug that makes you feel better temporarily. The more of it you drink, the less effective it is and the more you need. It's a classic addiction.
I wish you luck and hope that you will make use of the support you'll find here. Be strong! Honestly, it DOES get better. I am now just in the beginning of Month 2 caffeine-free, but I am noticing improvements every day. You can do this, Violet!
violet says
re: Two days caffeine free
Hello, this is my first visit here, in fact I just now found this site, thankfully. I too am a caffeine addict, more than 30 years of being addicted. My health is suffering from the caffeine, indigestion, high LDL numbers (this was a shock to me), moodiness, anxiety, I could go on and on. The final blow came when I was given a Keurig coffee maker last August, along with two boxes of various coffee, hot chocolate and teas to sample. My addiction has escalated to the point of no return, so two days ago I made the decision to give it up. Needless to say I am now suffering some major withdrawal symptoms, but it has only made my resolve that much stronger, I can't go on living the way I have been. I hope to come here for support and encouragement, I need it so badly.
jaki says
re: Many congrats, Denise, what
Many congrats, Denise, what an inspiration you are!! Your resolve is so admirable and I'm so pleased you've got through this first month (surely the worst time). I know it will continue to get better and better and I hope that the addiction really does become a thing of the past. I know it can 🙂 I agree, BIG thanks to Daniel, Dave MM and John C and to you, of course, and to all the people on here who post and continue to inspire, offer support and advice. I will support you in any way I can. Very best wishes for your caffeine- free life! There is oh so much MORE LIFE to experience without it!
I thought I would write about my situation here, in case it's of any help to anyone else. I think my message is DON'T GIVE UP! I came on here about a month ago and was inspired to give up the dreaded caffeine. I'd been feeling so ill, exhausted, depressed, irritable etc etc, even WITH the coffee. I sought help on the net, in order to understand the problem and. ultimately, to face up to the fact that I did have an addiction. I came across this forum, by accident, and what a blessing it has been. For that month, I really did struggle, one day vowing never ever to drink the darn stuff again and feeling resolved regarding my healthy diet etc. But then, the inability to face up to the problems in my life (ironically, including the addiction) made me run away and so I'd be back on it again. I really did feel like I was going crazy for a few weeks. I was genuinely full of fear, stress, anxiety and , of course, still feeling really ill - because, eventually, that's what caffeine does - it makes you ILL. Well, with the help and support of good friends on here, I battled through the fear and stress and genuinely feel I really CAN do it now. I've not had coffee for 2 days (not long I know!) but it's how I FEEL that's changed. I no longer feel afraid and, in fact, I feel can face my life better without caffeine. The sun is shining today and I WANT to eat and drink healthily and feel better. I don't quite understand the psychological process I went through but it felt like I had to face, not only my addiction, but also had to face that fear about coping with my life that was always there inside of me. Well, the battle IS over and I WILL do it!! I have found my inner Hercules. So,again, people, DON'T GIVE UP and you WILL find that resolve. Best wishes to everyone. Jackie from the U.K.
Dave MM says
re: Congratulations
Denise:
My sincerest congratulations to you on making it one month. From my past experiences, I know what a tough challenge that can be. Someday soon I plan to be there too. I hope it continues to go well for you.
Dave
Denise in Wisconsin says
re: One Month Without Caffeine
April 16th is my one-month anniversary of being caffeine-free. The first two weeks were horrible. The crushing headache that began on Day 2 lasted for four days, just about the time that the nightmares began. For me, the worst part of withdrawal is the brainfog and the bad dreams. I had a difficult time focusing or bringing the right word to mind much of the time. The third week brought another treat ... a sadness/feeling of depression. Luckily, that didn't last too long. I am still experiencing random body aches and muscle pain, but no more nightmares.
I wanted to post this to tell anyone who is going through withdrawal that it DOES get better. I know that I have a very long way to go, but I am excited to see what improvements the coming months will bring. And I would encourage people suffering through withdrawal to find a support system. I have been blessed to have found Dave MM and Jaki on this forum and we have hooked up via email to explore ideas and emotions regarding this addiction. I have thanked Daniel for this wonderful website in the past, but I want to do so again. THANK YOU, DANIEL! 🙂
Finally, if Kakaida, John C., Gaelle, ahuman or any other posters who are living caffeine-free lives are reading this, thank you all as well. You have inspired me and continue to be my inspiration. I know I will never touch caffeine again. I will never put my poor body through another withdrawal. And I will continue to read this forum to help in any way that I can.
jaki says
re: Hi rebecca
First, it's really great that you've already been caffeine-free for 9 days! That really is an achievement and you've gotten over that first hurdle:) I agree that it seems we have to face that it IS an addiction. I got to the point where I could run but I couldn't hide any more and the only choice was abstinence. Caffeine gives you that lift, initially, but then payback is just terrible. I got to the point where I was ill, exhausted, unmotivated, depressed etc, even WITH the coffee.
These are the things that helped me regarding support etc:
It was this forum that initiated my desire to stop! I read all the posts on here and there are so many inspriational stories, so much practical advice and info regarding useful sites etc that I was totally inspired. Now it is hard to keep that going but being able to post and talk to people who understand is crucial. There are some great people on here! I check it often and will reply to you if you want to talk about how you're doing.
I would say eat as healthily as you possibly can as long as you are getting all the proper balance of nutrients, including protein, vits/mins, carbs, EFAs etc. I find that if I eat very healthily (I'm vegan) - pure natural foods and no processed/sugar etc - I feel better, anyway. It may be difficult with a family but do what you can. Drink a lot of water which will help you to detox and rehydrate your body. Even when I was drinking coffee, I always drank a glass of water after (a good habit!) and have never suffered with headaches. Pray for strength and help. It IS there. Believe that you can do it - because you already have, for 9 days! Keep busy. Being active and getting outside in the fresh air really does help. exercise, gardening, housework and I guess that with a family, you're busy, anyway. Summer is on its way and being in the sunshine does help as it activates the feel-good hormones. Be in the moment. All things pass and cravings, feeling like anger or irritability etc DO subside. It WILL get easier. There are many people who are living proof of that on here.
Something I read helped me a lot. "IS IT WORKING?" That is, is the caffeine addiction making you happy, content, fulfilled, motivated etc?? The answer for me was "NO, it's NOT working, anymore!" It was making me ill, depressed, exhausted. I lost my life to it. There was no other choice. You will probably not believe how much BETEER and ALIVE you can feel without it. You have faith and that is a big, big help. Believe, Rebecca, that you can do it and you will. I agree, though, that we need as much help and support as possible. Please let us know how you're getting on and, one last thing, you've already experienced some changes for the better so you KNOW that it can get better. It will. Good luck with everything and best wishes.:) Jackie from the U.K.
Dave MM says
re: Hi, Rebecca. I too have
Hi, Rebecca. I too have wondered why few people openly talk about coffee (caffeine, specifically) being a drug addiction. It is like a dirty little secret, but one that is very open at the same time. Between 80-90% of adults in the United States consume caffeine daily, according to several sources. Caffeine meets the two main criteria for drug addiction: tolerance - more of the drug is needed to obtain the same effect, and dependence - nasty withdrawal symptoms result upon ceasing the drug. Tolerance is obviously true, otherwise everyone would only drink one cup of coffee every day. And as you now know, withdrawal is very real as well.
And unfortunately, depending upon how much and how long you use caffeine, the withdrawal symptoms may stick around much longer than the 4-9 days that many people say they last. Every time I stopped caffeine, I still felt very far from normal after 9 days. I completely understand your 'numb mind.' To me, this is by far the withdrawal symptom that I dislike the most.
For withdrawal, I've found that Zinc, B complex vitamin, and a multivitamin seemed to help. I don't know the exact amounts right now, but I took them all daily, and not in excessive amounts. Temporary use of 5-htp also seemed to help with the initial waves of depression that hit in the first few weeks of caffeine withdrawal. I've also had positive experiences taking L-tyrosine temporarily as well. However, there are not any remedies or such in the traditional sense that will bring instant and profound relief.
The fact is that you will not feel the greatest, at least for several weeks. I won't get into physiological mechanisms, but your central nervous system (mostly brain) basically needs to reset to work on its own without the constant outside influence of other chemicals. You will get better, but it will take time.
I have to admit that I didn't know what the 'Daniel Fast' was, so I had to look it up. I think this diet has the potential to be very harmful due to lack of protein, if continued for a significant period of time. If nothing else, you likely won't have much energy, and that is on top of the caffeine/sugar withdrawal you are already going through. However, I'm not inclined to argue these points. I would just hope that you or anyone else who tries this 'diet' would be careful, and listen to what your body is telling you.
I'm glad that you have opened your eyes to what caffeine use really is. Best of luck to you, Rebecca.
Dave
Rebecca M. says
re: Why didnt anyone tell us coffee was a drug addiction ?
Hi , i read your post and, am scared to come to the reality that caffiene is a drug addiction, because im on a 40 day daniel fast where we must give up caffeine, sugar, and all animal products. I literally lost 4 pds. In one week. Im 9 days off caffeine so far , and am a complete basketcase . My mind is numb, my sex love life has improved 100% though. I dont scream at my kids as much, i realize now how much im addicted to it. Coffee has been a mask for all my emotional, relational problems that i just dont want to face. I had no idea that caffiene was what made me feel so dead emotionally !! Only with Gods help will i make it the whole 40 days. It takes all my will power, resolve and giving this to God to make it . If you have any ideas or remedies please let me know. Im taking a vitaminb12 supplement with 3333% of the daily recommended dose. It helps some.
Denise in Wisconsin says
re: Keep Trying, Jaki!
I hope you finally manage to get in touch with Dave MM. If not ... how does one go about finding you on Facebook? Although I don't have a Facebook account, maybe one of my friends or relatives could reach out to you so we can get in touch.
Glad to hear that you're hanging in there! Last night I only had one bad dream, although I've done this enough times in the past to know that I've got many, many more weeks of general yuckiness to get through. Hope to talk to you soon. D
Dave MM says
re: Good morning, Jaki. I'm
Good morning, Jaki. I'm sorry to hear tht you are unable to reach me via email. Have you tried directly copying and pasting the address from my post into your email? If there is a part you were misstyping, copying/pasting would fix that problem.
I'm glad to hear your resolve has returned 🙂 On days when I would mess up and have one, a little voice in my head would always tell me that I should have one the next day, since I had one yesterday.... which would of course start the whole addiction cycle again! Staying out of that trap is big, because it really only takes one cup to derail all of your hard work.
Getting outside and being active always helped me also. The last two times that I have managed to stay caffeine free for a month or so, exercise was a important part of both of those attempts. If you sit around inside reading, watching TV, surfing the net, etc.... it's easy to think about how lousy you feel, and about what you are up against.
Ok, now I should probably cut my post off. I hope we can get the email thing figured out, because I feel bad taking up all of the pages here with my posts. Additionally, I feel very hypocritical posting about not using caffeine when I am currently consuming caffeine daily. One more time: the first part of my email is m_marshall84 ................ and the second part is @hotmail.com. I wish you continued luck in your struggle to beat caffeine. We are all pulling for you.
Dave
jaki says
re: To Denise, Dave and John
Just a short post this morning! Thanks for all your comments and encouragement 🙂 Dave - I tried to e-mail you yesterday but it keeps saying 'typpo error' for the e-mail address. I've tried variations but no luck! It would be great to be able to chat about everything with you all, though, but I'm not sure what's going wrong, as Denise has managed to e-mail you. I managed a caffeine/sugar free day yesterday and felt my inner resolve return. The weather here is fabulous and getting outside and being active is realy helping. PMA!! This weekend, I think I hit that place where 'you can run but you can't hide', any more. John - I think I WAS just procrastinating! I came across a Dr Phil site (DrPhil.com - Advice- Overcoming Addiction) and it really spoke to me. And so this morning, I'm feeling YES and it's getting stronger. I BELIEVE I can do it now. Before, I thought I WOULD fail and so I did. I guess part of me wanted to fail - despite feeling like death, I didn't want to let it go. Anyway, this 'short' post is getting longer so I will stop now and wish you all the best for a caffeine free week. Also looking forward to any new stories on here and I hope we are able to sort out the e-mail situation. Love from the U.K.!
Denise in Wisconsin says
re: Jaki
How are you? Your comment about your psyche makes sense to me. It truly is like being in the middle of a storm with energies/thoughts pulling you in different directions. And thank you for your suggestion about water - I am definitely trying to drink more of it. As I mentioned before, I am not on FB, not that I have anything against it, just haven't gotten around to it. As of today, I am past the headache stage of withdrawal, but had one doozy of a nightmare last night. At least it was only one ... the first week I was having bad dreams all night and waking up exhausted. I hope you are managing everything better now and finding balance either with or without caffeine.
jaki says
re: Hi, Denise
Congratulations!! You seem to have found your inner resolve and that's just fantastic 🙂 Yes, that would be great - I was going to e-mail Dave over the weekend (thanks so much, Dave!). It would be really helpful for us all to be able to chat to each other. And I'd be delighted to get to know you better, Denise, and would be very happy to have an "across the pond" friend! And thanks so much for your kind words - and I'd definitely say likewise! Sorry to hear about the nightmares and I hope they start to redcede soon. TBH, I feel like I'm back at the beginning and need to have a long,hard think this weekend. I've said on another post that I feel as if I'm in the eye of the storm of my addiction and I've realised that the reason I give in to it is to get away from the stress and fear of trying to fight it, rather than wanting the caffeine, itself. How DID you find that inner resolve, Denise?? I feel like I've totally lost myself to it. Anyway, I will not inflict any more of this on you. Wishing you and everyone a caffeine-free weekend . Love from me:)
jaki says
re: Hi Gaelle
Congratulations on your success and thanks for sharing your experiences. It's always helpful to hear how other people have coped, especially when they've beaten it. I wanted to ask you a question, please. How did you break through your addictive patterns and find the willpower to stop? I seem to have hit this wall where the energy pattern to turn to coffee comes up and, atm, it seems impossible to fight the possessive nature of my addiction. I'm not afraid of suffering the withdrawal symptoms. If I could find the willpower or strength to break the stress and almost fear which I feel when I'm trying to fight it, I would happily experience the withdrawal symptoms as they recede. I know the obvious answer is to ride it out but it's as if those feelings are stronger than me and I can't bear the stress and fear of the fight and so I drink it to stop THOSE feelings - rather than to get the caffeine fix.The caffeine has long since stopped giving me any real lift or it only lasts a very short while. I have cut my consumption, though. I hope that all makes sense. It feels as if I'm in the eye of the storm of my addiction! I was wondering if my experiences may be linked to your idea about belief systems in the brain and body and wondered what you thought? Like you, I put on weight (20lbs) and have had a problem with caffeine/sugar but I have managed to implement a healthy diet for the last two weeks (and greatly reduce sugar). Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I wish you continued success and please keep us posted. Best wishes.
Denise in Wisconsin says
re: This Comment is for Jaki from the U.K. 🙂
Hi Jaki
It's so good to see a reply from you! Unfortunately, I am one of the oddballs of the universe who is not on Facebook. However, I have sent Dave MM an email this morning. It was so sweet of him to post his email address. If you could get in touch with him, hopefully the three of us can take some of our discussions off of Daniel's forum, so as not to hog it. I will, however, continue to read it and encourage people who are trying valiantly to give up caffeine for good.
Jaki, I am sticking to my vow. Had more nightmares last night, but I'm at last over the headache stage of withdrawal. I will never touch caffeine again. I would like to learn more about you. You sound like a warm and caring person and I hope that you don't mind a friend "across the pond" 🙂
Best to you, Denise
jaki says
re: Thanks John
Sorry for the late reply. Yes! The last few days or so have shown me that in all its glory! I definitely experience that "stronger than us" feeling and sometimes am astounded to find that I'm STILL walking into Costa, fully conscious of what I'm doing, but I'm still doing it. Unfathomable, really. But I'm finding that helping to understand my motives (fear, escape, habit etc) and recognising the triggers/temptation areas (some are not always obvious and, for me, are sometimes linked to stress/food) are starting to help me to conquer this. I'm interested in the idea of having created deep and abiding patterns of behaviour which are too strong in me to challenge outright. I think (I hope) I'm starting to create NEW patterns which will eventually lead to a completely free caffeine free/healthy eating life. I wondered what you thought about this idea, please? I hope I'm not fooling myself and simply procrastinating. I really wish I could just do it -just go cold turkey and be done with it! That's what I'm feeling now! I so admire your resolve - it's a great inspiration and I will look up the other sites you mentioned in your reply to Dave. Thanks very much and I will definitely take your advice. All the best.
jaki says
re: Hi Denise
How are you doing? First, I was inspired by your replies to Dave and found them so helpful - thanks, Denise. I wish I had your clarity and insight 🙂 Yes, the world IS ramped up on caffeine and in Costa, last week, they doubled some of their shots - they want us to become even more addicted! But they don't tell us - unless asked, of course. I felt for you about the nightmares - that must be horrible but I totally agree with how you view them. I sometimes feel I'm like a 'witness' to my own psyche and can experience it trying to balance out all the different energies (if that makes sense). It's a bit like being in the middle of a storm sometimes! I really hope they ease off soon. I don't know it it's of any help re headaches but I've never had any. I know everyone says drink a lot of water. I've done that for many years whether I'm on the coffee or not and ALWAYS drink a tumbler of water after drinking coffee. Thought it was worth a mention, just in case it helps. Denise, I was wondering if you're on facebook (if I dare to admit I'm on it!)? It might be possible to contact eachother that way, if you're comfortable with it? Again, I've never posted on any forum before so I'm not sure about etiquette. Well, best of luck and please keep us posted. Best wishes.
Dave MM says
re: John C:
Â
Thanks for the
John C:
Thanks for the links. They were very insightful, especially the 'spiritualriver' link. #39 did hit home with me, because for the last few years I couldn't imagine going into a social situation or doing school work when I wasn't going to be under the influence of caffeine. Like I said before, it has unfortunately become my crutch.
Also, I really think you may be right with your line of 'feeling more productive, but not actually being more productive.' In the end, I suppose that the experience will be the true test. Congratulations on 33 days! I truly understand what an accomplishment that is. I hope to be there with you, someday.
Dave MM says
re: To Jaki
Hi, Jaki. Let me first say 'thank you' for your encouraging words. I'm still far from being certain that I can go through a rigorous academic schedule without caffeine, but it is always great to hear encouraging stories of people who have. I think it's awesome that you returned to school at 40 and were able to do well without caffeine, sugar, etc.
And believe me that although I'm not off of caffeine right now, there is certainly a heavy 'payback' for me every time that I cease consumption. Headaches, anxiety, no motivation to do anything productive, etc..... I get all the classic symptoms, and more. I definitely understand the symptoms you are going through, and wish you nothing but the best of luck in your withdrawal.
The date for my stoppage is May 4. It might seem kind of silly to mark the date on the calendar like that months in the future, but I feel very strongly about quitting and staying off caffeine forever. I will continue to read the board in the meantime.
I'm going to put my email in this paragraph in case you, Denise, or anyone else wants to keep up with me that way. I don't post on here as much because I feel bad for making all these posts and taking up all of the pages here. I also can't spell my email address out all at once, or the spam bots will get ahold of it. My email address is m_marshall84. The second part after that is @hotmail.com. Anyone can feel free to email me and send me their address also. It would definitely be nice to have some support of people who have done it before when I finally go through this.
John C says
re: Ok. Your position is not so
Ok. Your position is not so different from where I was.
Caffeine lies in many ways.
1. You FEEL you are more productive, but actually you are not - you're just garbled and shallow thinking. Check out these:
http://quantifiedself.com/2009/10/the-false-god-of-coffee/
http://readerfeedback.labs.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Caffeinated_spiderwebs.jpg
2. You feel you cannot ever be happy without caffeine, but actually you will find you will. See number 39 here:
http://www.spiritualriver.com/51-things-you-should-know-about-addiction-recovery/
Your body is so normalised to caffeine now you're getting nothing from it apart from anxiety, sleep disruption and garbled thinking.
Go for it! Get out. I am on day 33 and I'm not going back.
jaki says
re: Hi, Dave,
First, sorry if this post is not always coherent - a result of coffee brainfog.There were a few ideas I had in response to your post so sorry if it all comes out a little randomly. Thanks for introducing the idea of looking at our 'coffee history' (and to Denise) as it made me think about mine which I found helpful. One of my first thoughts about your post was that it seems to me that it's not the caffeine that's 'making' you smart - you already ARE smart and you couldn't have achieved your place in Med School (congrats!) without that. Caffeine does stimulate mental clarity, it's true, but, it seems to me that you have to have the 'basics' there to begin with, if you get my meaning? As Denise says, you are young and you have not talked about any negative physical symptoms ('payback' makes me feel ill and exhausted as well as less mental clarity, anxiety etc) but I wondered if your lack of "motivation" and " clarity and ideas" were caffeine's 'payback' for you?? Do you have any negative physical symptoms e.g. headaches, sleeplessness etc? I went back to uni when I was 40. Luckily, it was during a period when I was very health-conscious. I'd just read 'Dieting Makes You Fat' (eating was/is also a addictive pattern for me although I lost 73 lbs at one point and have 'only' re-gained 20 lbs while on coffee). I was completely caffeine free for that period at uni and a subsequent teacher's training course. I can honestly say that, without caffeine/sugar and saturated fat, for that period, my analytical, cognitive AND creative skills were at a premium. I was happy, productive and I LOVED uni! What I'm trying to say - and I hope it's ok - is that you ARE enough! It is all there inside of you. So I believe with all my heart that you can "fulfill your dreams" without caffeine and, btw, I am LESS responsible on it. I'm 61 and need to get my health in order as I want to be healthy for this last period of my life!
Having said all of that, I do understand your fears and the concept of needing a "crutch". Caffeine has been one for me over the last 5 years (because of family problems and my daughter's long term ill-health.) I think I had my own fears about 'not coping' and caffeine makes you feel you can cope - and, in early usage, makes you feel great for a little while. And yet, I KNOW I can cope- it's just that I FEEL I can't - which perhaps opens up another area of debate. I agree that caffeine's physiological hold is very powerful. Like Denise, until this week, I thought I was an 'all or nothing' addict. But I COULD NOT break it and go cold turkey (like I thought I must) There have been good days and bad but I HAVE got my healthy diet back in place and my psyche had got used to that - I was previously living on coffee and biscuits until the evening meal. It's like I've created a new pattern of behaviour (sorry about change of font - I don't know how to change it ) and it's just my new 'habit' or pattern. I've cut down my coffee consumption and, today, I had just one. It's as if my see-saw pattern is changing and trying to find a balance. I have to put in effort but my psyche is playing its part as well. I hope that makes sense. Before I started to post on here, my see-saw pattern was strong coffee/feeling hyper V crash then exhaustion/illness/ shakiness/very little sleep/ I will never beat this etc. I now feel slightly better/ sleeping better/ more in control/ I WILL beat this. I know I feel better when I'm eating good food and wondered if others had experienced this? Well, sorry to have rambled on and I hope this may have been of help. I'm feeling anxious about what I've written (result of caffeine's payback) but it was all well-intentioned. Good luck and hopefully you'll be able to keep us posted. Best wishes to everyone, as well.
Dave MM says
re: To Denise
Hi Denise, I remember you, and that's why I specifically made reference to you in my previous post. I appreciate your comments. They were insightful, as usual. Ultimately, I suppose that you are right. I have little doubt that I will be a better and happier person without caffeine, as will you or practically anyone else who stops using it. And I do think I remember a time many years ago when I was happy without it. In the end, I do believe that we need to break the addiction and live calmer lives. But it still worries me that I won't be able to fulfill my dreams (or even be a responsible person) without my caffeine crutch Perhaps one day I can come to peace with that. Hell, maybe we all can. Jack LaLanne did pretty well himself after all. Keep up the good fight, and keep us all updated. I believe people can draw a lot of strength from reading some of the struggles and success stories that are posted here.
Denise in Wisconsin says
re: Dave MM
Forgive me - I rambled away from your original question in my first post. You say you are afraid of what your life is going to be like without caffeine. It's not a stupid question. If you've used caffeine all of your life, it's a fair concern to wonder how you will function without it.
Can you remember ... but was there a time in your childhood or early in your teens when you weren't ingesting caffeine every day? I'm not asking this as a joke. Unfortunately, there ARE children who are already hooked on sodas, energy drinks, chocolate, etc. But try to think back. Hopefully you can remember when you used to bound out of bed, eager to start your day with energy that lasted all the way to bedtime, when you would fall deeply asleep and stay asleep?
When I've been completely caffeine-free in my past, I used to freak myself by reading studies about how good caffeine is for you - antioxidants, brain stimulation, less risk of certain diseases (like Alzheimers for instance), etc. But then I look at myself and realize that, as you say, caffeine was always my crutch. Do I REALLY want a life that is only livable when I plug in that coffeemaker every morning? Am I honestly happier? Do one or two cups a day count less (in negative terms) than five or six? Or is it just that I am addicted to a substance again and making excuses? Going caffeine-free is going to take some major emotional strength.
Denise in Wisconsin says
re: Dave MM
Hi Dave - I don't know if you remember me, but I am the "Denise" who used to respond to your earlier posts some 2 to 3 years ago when we were both (yet again) fighting our caffeine addictions. The longest I was able to go without any caffeine (including chocolate) was approximately 8 months. Your point about the addictive personality is very valid. I also CANNOT pretend that I'll have just one cup every once in a while. I am probably much more like an alcoholic or a drug addict, personality-wise. It's all or nothing. I'm either "on the wagon" or horribly, out-of-control off. I remember you saying that the caffeine helped you through your school studies and when I read your post this morning, I have to admit - it made me sad. Because I can honestly, from the bottom of my heart - feel your pain. It is such a scary thought - to think that I will never again down a hot cup of coffee with my friends and family. And I have to tell you ... even after 8 months without it I have fallen down again.
But we have to look closely at what this means - caffeine is ADDICTION, pure and simple. I don't find myself obsessing over broccoli or salmon or even donuts! No, the evil monkey on my back is caffeine. I want the buzz, the smell of it, the ritual of brewing it. But enough! I am through with it forever. I'm only in the baby steps stage of withdrawal, but something inside of me has finally snapped. My disgust with myself outweighs the nagging little whiny voice that says "Why me? Why can't I be like everyone else?"
Before this gets too horribly long, I just want to share with you that one of my life's idols - Jack LaLanne - lived his long, long life by working out daily and never touching caffeine. Two of his favorite sayings were "Would you get up and feed your dog caffeine and a donut?" and "If man made it, don't eat it!". Dave, at 28, you are a baby. Jaki, at 61, you are still a baby (Mr. LaLanne lived to almost 100!) I am 49 and I am proud to say that my addiction is OVER!
Good luck Dave, Jaki, John and everyone else out there who are trying to be healthier. You have my support and love, guys!