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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User
re: end of day one
i feel so sick. my head is pounding and i feel like im going to puke. i usually have a quad shot espresso with 2 inches of cold milk every morning. lately i feel like its just a big waste of money and i also fell like coffee is adding to my stress and anxiety level. man this is hard. i feel so weird. i hope it gets easier. i live in seattle and there is a coffee place every 10 feet. no joke. i hope i can resist. especially during school.
User
re: Ignorance.
These are people who are just now attempting to rid themselves of caffeine. If they were to post 2 months after they had quit, their symptoms certainly would have disappeared.
EspressoCoffeeGuide.com
re: RE: I want to thank you Daniel
Well first of all I really don't mind this message area getting overtaken. To be honest I'm happy that I've been able to help a few people. On the other hand I don't want to stifle dissenting opinions.
I have considered moving the discussion over to a message board (forum) a few times for the reasons you mention but unfortunately there is not a good way to move the existing conversations within the software I am using.
User
re: How I feel now
My story has been somewhat long and prolonged but I wanted to share it just in case it may help others in this process of withdrawing from caffeine.
I decided to go cold turkey but realised afterwards that it maybe wasn't the best thing for me, I am 56 and have suffered from food intolerance and immune problems for many years. I think this has contributed to why it has taken so long to recover. I think because of this I would definitely recommend coming off the caffeine slowly instead.
Initially after going cold turkey I had to go to A&E because my heartbeat was 130 and my BP 195 over 99. I didn't realise at the time it was because of the cold turkey. Much dizziness and panic attacks followed this for quite some time and I thought I was either suffering from some serious illness or having a nervous breakdown. My doctors all said it was due to stress, it couldn't be the withdrawal so I plodded along in a constant state of anxiety. I think what made it worse was that I thought I was safe on decaff but in fact this was making the withdrawals continue. I've never had dizzy attacks or panic attacks in my life I might add, and I've been through quite some nasty things in the last few years.
Now I have reached a stage where the palpitations are no longer there, in fact I am so used to my heart pounding away that I have to stop and think am I still alive, haha. I am sleeping like never before and my energy levels are much higher. I still have some of the dizziness around and it gets worse if I give in and have the odd cup of tea, amazing how I could drink so much previously but now just one will set this off.
So to anyone who is still suffering, take heart, it will stop and there is light at the end of the tunnel.
God bless
Pauline
User
re: I want to thank you Daniel
I want to thank you Daniel for this site which has been such a support and help to me coming off the caffeine. I hadn't realised that we had sort of taken over your site in a way!! But nevertheless am very grateful to you for allowing us to do so.
Is there any way that we can pick up the threads, ie some sort of flow to the questions? Or an index? It just would be helpful when searching a particular theme. Don't worry if there isn't, just thought I would ask!
regards
Pauline
Ivan
re: You're not Alone
I recently stopped drinking Diet Pepsi cold turkey after drinking an average of 2 1/2 liters per day. I took aspirin every six hours to ward off the onset of a headeache, got plenty of rest and kept myself busy through deferred tasks, enjoyable hobbies, prayer and meditation. This regimen has worked miraculously since I did not experience any noticeable side effects.
Daniel
re: a comment from the webmaster
Contrary to what a few people seem to think this is not a site for people trying to get off caffeine. This particular area's messages seem to have gone that way and I am OK with that. I'm also OK with people stating that they think caffeine is OK. What I do not like is people attacking each other. The previous message (title: sad) and a few others are borderline abusive.
To recap:
1)Keep it pleasant people.
2) This is not a website dedicated to people trying to quit caffeine but I am happy that it appears this message area has turned into an area for such discussion. Keep it up.
3) I will allow any opinions as long as they are reasonably pleasant and not abusive.
Thanks.
sarah
re: sad
that made me very sad i think you should know. the fact that you NEED caffeine to make your world spin around is pretty depressing i think. ok so maybe yoo will be making love to that woman of yours but to be fair....... we people who do not drink caffeine will have an extra 6 years of that with the people who respect us for the choices we make and dont have to put up with over-opinionated cranks like you!! so how about you go play with your other high blood pressured, inbalanced caffeine dpendant friends and get off a site which is designed to motivate people who care!! oh and by the way take an english lesson..... i got angry at the number of times you used a colon in the incorrect way.
good luck to all the genuines out there!!
sarah
re: Herbal Health
After reading many stories of how caffeine can hinder your health i decided to stop drinking caffeine entirely for a test period. this test period was only goin to be two weeks to see how i felt, but i felt so good caffeine-free that i have now been caffeine-free for 7 weeks and a day. from drinking an excessive amount of caffeine daily to being completely caffeine free i feel is a huge acheivment and i have only had small withdrawl symptoms which lasted 3 days. i feel that i owe this success to Twinigs herbal tea which providing you buy the correct tea [with this information on the back] is naturally cafeeine and sugar free!! it is absolutley delicious and contains no E numbers. i would recommend any one to give up caffeine using herbal tea..... ti makes things a lot easier. and my advice to others if they are giving up caffeine entirely is to be careful and check everything you eat and drink as there are somtimes caffeine in things you would not expect.
good luck all!!
x
User
re: My son who is 23 and
My son who is 23 and normally quite happy and laid back in his life suddenly started having the most horrendous panic attacks with dizziness and feelings of passing out. He had blood tests done which were all normal and his doctor diagnosed stress.
Then we started to look into when he had the attacks and it followed every time he had drunk Coca Cola. He cut it out and is a different person. It just makes you think how many people are diagnosed with stress when it could be a reaction to caffeine.
Anonymous
re: I had no idea what was wrong
I had no idea what was wrong with me until I stumbled upon this web site. I thought I had spinal memnningitis or a brain tumor, the pain was so severe in my head and neck. 2 days ago I forgot to drink coffee. By the afternoon my head was hurting and I was sleepy. My legs were feeling stiff especially around the knees.That night I started getting hot and cold flashes, and throwing up. Headache was severe--hard to sleep even taking Advil. Couldn't take Advil after the throwing up started though. I thought I had food poisoning or the flu. Splitting headache all the next day and night. I was eating crackers so I could keep 600 mg ibuprofen down and sleep a little. I was going to start taking Vicodin today but when I read the entries on this web site, I made myself a cup of coffee and before I finished it all symptoms had disappeared!!! It feels great to have my life back! I am going to be more aware of my caffeine intake from now on and try to scale back. Though I only drink one or two cups a day at home, I think some diet pills I've been taking are full of caffeine thus producing the severe withdrawal reaction I just described above!!!!
User
re: Caffeine Withdrawals and Panic Attacks!
I recently been having Panic Attacks. They are so horrible and they just make you feel like your going insane! So I went and talked to my school councelor and thanks to my mom being there to help! She certainly gave me information that made some sence and referred me a book called the Anxiety and Phobia Workbook (Fourth Edition) Wonderful and helpful. So I started to learn how to cope and understood that no matter what, I wasn't going to die and the awful feelings I felt were just my mind. Symptoms: Stomach pains, diarriah, shakes and trembles, heart palpitations, shortness in breaths, sweating, feeling of unrealty - as if you aren't all there, numbness and tingling, hot and cold flashes, chest pain or discomfort and worst of all fear of losing control and going crazy and fear of dying. Feeling of unreality was the worse for me but I had all of these symptoms. I just couldn't shake them so I went back in and talk more with my councelor. She advice that I get lots of sleep, eat well and cut slowly off of caffeine! Then it hit me. I completely cut out caffeine two weeks prior. I couldn't believe it. I was going through panic attacks as well as withdrawals. So I have been having the hardest two weeks. I later went and had a blessing done at my brother-in-laws house. He holds the preisthood for The Church of Jesus Christ and Latter Day Saints. I immediatly felt better from my panic attacks but I still had some of the sypmtoms. Now its been a couple of days and I am still having some of these symptoms. But I know I will get throught it now after I did research. So I wrote this for people who weren't sure what the heck they were feeling. Panic Attacks can go away by YOU taking control or getting help to take control but also cutting out caffeine. Its a hard road but it's worth it to feel better and know you aren't inducing a covered up drug. You'll make it. Caffeine symptoms that I had drove me up the wall. Dizziness, Faintness, mucsle twitches, headaches, muscle pain, thirst, not concentrating well, restlessness and sleepiness. It gets very confusing but now you know and I wish I had knew because it was the scariest time of my life!
User
re: Hey, you sound like the
Hey, you sound like the talking Wimsy doll. Or that cartoon girl with the dreadlocks on Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends! Those moments you talk of should not be "filled" because of a food substance or a drink. Also do you know that if you start eating alot of raw food for the rest of your life you won't be a decrepit old farsy. You start getting younger and stronger. I am just starting to let go of drinking too much coffee. Like quitting alcohol, I expect to feel better and have more TIME.
Jan
re: How are you feeling now? are
How are you feeling now? are you still caffeine free. I am struggling.
I have some tests on my heart planned for tomorrow , so I can not have caffeine .
Cat, UK
re: at least i'm not alone...
i usually drink up to about 1 1/2 litres of coke/diet coke every day, but the other day i just stopped, for no particular reason. later that day i got the worst pounding headache of my life, was really irritable, and kept falling asleep, i thought it was the stress of exams or something. then the day after it got worse and last night i woke up just after midnight with my headache getting worse, feeling absolutely freezing then really hot and nauseas, my body ached and i was even sick once. so today i looked up 'caffeine withdrawl symptoms' and found this page, i was so amazed to find out how bad caffeine is! i hate to think what giving up drugs must be like for a drug addict... i don't think i've ever felt so ill, they should print warning labels on bottles! but its good to know i'm not the only one on a mission to give it up, good luck to you all!
User
re: caffine withdrawel
im only 14 years old, and i have been drinking coffee alot. every morning my mom make a 6 cup pot of coffee, and we drink it all. after school, i go with my friends for coffee, and we go back to one of our houses to hang out. then before we go home, we stop for one more. lately, i havent been drinking coffee in the morning because i wake up to late, nearly missing the bus. my grades have been dropping, so i dont ever go with my friends anymore, i go straight home. i havent had coffee in over a week, and i am always tired, i fall asleep in class, go home and sleep until dinner, and i have constant headaches. I have even been really moody. it is a goal to overcome this, and cut down on the coffee big time. hopefully the feeling doesnt last to much longer.
User
re: Caffiene Withdrawl
Hi, I am a fello recovering Caffeine addict. I recently participated in a nine day personal awareness process which suggested no coffee, tea, over the counter meds etc. I was very sick for the first five days, migraine, nausea, muscle and joint tenderness, irritability. I decided to be caffeine free after experiencing these painful withdrawl symptoms.
To tell you the truth, I feel I am still recovering, I get a lot of migraines and nausea and irritability. What I noticed that worked for my final days and I am getting back to is Hot Water and a lemon Wedge. It is soothing for me, and I think the lemon is cleansing. I also decided that for me, Coffee is a image ritual for me. The smell, process of preparing and the savoring. Recognizing this to be true for me, I am making ritual with my alternatives. The cutting of the lemon, the smell and texture, the steam of the water and the holding of the mug and breathing in the citrus smell. I have been drinking Japanese Green tea, with rice and this in it's loose leaf form is a ritual too. So it feels like I am honoring something that serves my mind and imagination too. It is working. Plus, I know I am doing something that is a GREEN VOTE for my whole body and mind.
Jenny
re: 4 days and just... going
I get terrible migraines, and finally upon consulting a neurologist I've been instructed to rid myself of my caffeine addiction in order to aid in the effectiveness of my medication.
Day 1 was rough, day 2 was hell (punctuated by headaches and fatigue), day 3 was blah, and now, half-way through day 4, I'm ready to curl up under my desk and sleep. At least I didn't wake up with a massive pressure headache this morning.
I've been assured by my decaffeinated friends that it gets easier from here on out, but I'm still mourning the loss of my morning mocha and afternoon tea.
I'm going to attempt to get myself to the gym tonight for a light workout (that is, of course, unless I fall asleep on the drive over...).
psmith
re: Try Yerba Mate
The last time I quit coffee I started drinking Yerba Mate. It is a traditional South American tea that is available either loose or in tea bag form. Although it does contain caffeine, I found it was much milder than coffee (you can control the strength by varying the brew time)...the boost was very subtle and it did not cause you to crash in the middle of the day. I liked the taste, but some people may prefer it with honey and/or milk.
User
re: I gave up diet coke (i was
I gave up diet coke (i was having on average 2litres a day) 4 days ago , this is day 4 and i still have a pounding headache, im wondering when it will go! Good Luck
Naomi
re: I am writing from caffeine
I am writing from caffeine central, Seattle Washington. The land of 4 Starbucks every 2 blocks! It's ridiculous how much coffee people consume out here, with this in mind I never thought my 1-2 cup a day habit was so terrible, until reading all these comments and going through a hellish night. Yesterday I woke up late, got stuck on the computer and next thing you know it was 2pm and I missed my daily cup of coffee. After a lot of yawning, fuzzy thoughts and running around the house I finally pulled myself together to grab a double mocha from down the street. As soon as I finished my mocha I knew I was headed for trouble. I immediately began to feel pain on the left side of my head, that eventually felt like a knife being stabbed into my left sinus cavity. Somehow I made it through dinner and a movie and then woke up at 4:00 in the morning sweaty, nauseated, and ready to hurl. I quickly drank a cup of water, puked and then felt really cold. My boyfriend insisted I drink more water and ginger tea. After an hour or so I felt better enoough to go back to sleep. When I finally awoke the next day aroound 9:30 I still felt lingering pain on the left side of my head. Since then I have been DRINKING LOADS AND LOADS OF WATER, to help alleviate the pain. So far it has helped, thank goodness.
My advice to everyone is stop drinking coffee, soda, tea, etc. and start drinking water. If you have to add lemon or something to it, then do, but just increase your water intake, get fresh air and stop the cycle. You don't have to be a slave to caffeine. Realize that your body needs real energy and nourishment, not a fix.
Good Luck to all!
Husband Of a Diet Coke Addict
re: Unclear Urine...
Hey Todd. Your urine not being clear right now is very normal. Your body is like a water starved plant. When you start feeding it water again, the water just runs out the bottom because it's not being absorbed. Don't worry. Even though your body is like this right now, it won't last. Your body has spent so long being starved for water that it has lost it's ability to accept it...this is only short term and you really need to stick with it. Soon, many things in your body will return to you. Better health, clearer skin, better mental health, focussed and clearer senses and so much more. My wife is like most of you people and she's going through hell right now but trust me when I say this, the 2-4 litres of Diet Coke/day she was drinking...was killing her. She would not have lasted another 5 years and unfortunately it took her doctor to confirm it. Be strong people, you're avoiding a long, slow suicide.
Susan
re: reply to can't handle the headaches
In regard to you taking the Excedrin Tension Headache medicine, "Don't!!" I am right now on my 4th day "cold turkey" from taking Excedrin Migraine for over 10 years. I was so addicted to the caffeine (I'm not a coffee drinker) that I was taking up to 10 pills a day and even had an ulcer perforate and had to have emergency surgery a couple of years ago. Even after all of this and I have also had 3 total left hip replacements for arthritis, I hadn't learned my lesson. I was always extremely tired, irritable and moody and my husband and family noticed it all of the time. I finally decided last week to stop this and be normal for the first time in over 10 years. I tried to wean myself last week by taking 1/2 a pill to a whole pill a day. I did fine last week but by the weekend my body was in withdrawal for more and the terrible "flu" thing started. I stopped the pills cold turkey Monday of this week and have been through the worst thing I could have ever imagined. I have had to go through withdrawal from Lortab because of my hip pain and even a terrible withdrawal from a pain patch that almost killed me but this has been very difficult and I am looking forward to finally feeling better and being normal. I never imagined that those pills could do this but they did. I have barely been able to get out of bed for 4 days, had the chills and sweats, terrible muscle and joint aches and nauseousness. If I wouldn't have found this site, I thought also that there was something wrong or that I had a terrible flu. Don't substitute your one caffeine with another - such as the Excedrin Tension pills. It will only make it worse and you will not be quitting caffeine. I can tell you for a fact - I know. I have been taking Tylenol and Ibuprofen and while it doesn't completely alleviate the symptoms, it has helped. Time is the only cure and hopefully, over the next couple of days it will be over and well worth it in the end. My story was a little different because it wasn't coffee, tea or soda so I wanted to share this and let people know that the amount of caffeine in one Excedrin Migraine is equal to one cup of coffee and I was abusing them horribly and didn't know that was what was making me feel so horrible. Hang in there. Susan
User
re: Re: Not even a whole day yet!!!
You can do it. If you have the opportunity to go home and rest I highly suggest this. I am on my third day of no caffeine. The first day was horrible. I vomited 3 times and had the worst headache I can describe. I honestly wanted to die just to feel better. But I just slept if off. The next day I found what helped me somewhat is having some sugar. I ate a couple NutriGrain bars and my headache subsided. Drink a lot of water and eat plenty. Having an empty stomach makes you feel worse. I tried taking Ibuprofen but it just made me vomit. So the best suggestion I can give you is to rest. Your body is getting rid of a toxin and needs your help. Like I said I'm on my third day and just starting to feel a bit normal. My joints are really sore but I don't really feel tired. Hang in there! You're certainly not alone.
Dean Starkey
re: New comer
I'm only 17 and im at college so I'v been drinking coffee for the last 6 months.
Only 3 medium cups from Starbucks etc but Recently i would be on the bus to college about 2 hours after my first cup and my eyes get sensitive to light when looking out the window, eyes watering and drowsiness.
By the time i get to college i feel like crap.
Justin
re: soda
I have been drinking about 4 cans average daily of safeway select cola for about a year or so. My friend and i decided that we wanted to stop drinking sodas, for whatever reason. I've had some pretty bad headaches, and im soooo tired all the time, and concentrating is extremely difficult as well. Its been about a week and the symptoms arent really subsiding. im just wondering how long i have left!
Out-west
re: Reply to pain in legs
My pain lasted three days. I was only having two cups a day on average. How much water did you have with all that caffeine? It appears to be an equivalent of 9 cups of caffeine a day you were having. I now drink 8 to 10 cups of water a day and that has helped.
User
re: Not even a whole day yet!!!
Ok fellow detoxers! I am in my first day, about 3 hours into it! My head is killing me!!!!! I don't know if I can do this. Can I go minute by minute feeling as if someone has just split my skull in two?! I am nauseous and chilly (it's 75 degrees in my office) and my oh my it hurts! Someone please send some words on encouragement!!! The coffee pot is right on the counter! Empty but right over there!
User
re: I was searching the site for
I was searching the site for the same situation that I am having. Last night was nite 4. I have been on a detox diet that eliminates caffeine as well as many other things. I had the most severe leg pains, and thought that there was something seriously wrong with me. I am not a big coffee drinker, but usually about 2 cups, I drink tea too. I have been drinking one cup of tea in the morning since I started the diet. I hope that I get some sleep tonight though.
User
re: I wish someone would have told me....
ok..I am two weeks into this now. Still have nausea and tightness in my legs below the knee and knee joint pain. I went to the hospital today and all blood tests came back normal. I use to drink about 6 cups in the morning, and 20 oz of mountain dew for lunch, then maybe a diet coke for dinner. Has anyone had this last as long as two weeks. All other symptoms are gone.
User
re: Before commiting your self
Before commiting your self to a life with caffeine you should know that caffeine can leed to panic attacks, irritability, nasuea, vomitting, sleeplessnes, blood sugar inbalance (it causes our body to kick out excess insulin), nervousness, severe mood swings etc etc... So a few weeks of withdrawls is worth the extended life time of better health and over all feeling of well being.
Anonymous
re: Decaf brought back symptoms
After 338 hours I thought I could try a decaf from the famous green labelled company that started in Seattle. The first one was so good. In the evening I had another one. Then I had one of the worse nights of my life, getting about two hours sleep. There was pain and irritation in my bladder and groin, almost worse than before. It could be because there is a small amount of caffeine in it, also I am not sure how long the residual caffeine stays in the body or if it built up. Anyway, I am extremely disappointed as I thought I could at least pyscologically enjoy holding, smelling, tasting coffee again, in the same environment I used to go and relax in for years.
Anonymous
re: 338 hours
I was told to go off coffee for two weeks. 336 hours. 2 hours after that I tried my first cup of any kind of coffee, a decaf. I had a few sips and threw it out. Not ready to get back in to it yet I guess. If I can do it, a severe addict, anyone can. I may have a coffee once in awhile as an enjoying treat, but don't intend to get hooked again. I think decaf may eventually replace it altogether, at least I can hold it, mix it, brew it, taste it, be in the same places I socialized before. It has now been 350 hours.
Sara 29
re: Coffee
O.K. so about 3 weeks ago I was driving to work after dropping off the kids and paying some bills and was listining to the radio. I have always drank about 4 cups in the morning and I stop for another on my way to work and then I of course have it at work as well and then at home in the evening to get me through my routine with my family. Anyways so I was on my way to work and I remember telling myself "I feel great today" and then about a few minutes later I couldnt breath and it felt like I was in a tunel and couldnt focus on the road anymore so then my heart started racing, I got so hot and started shaking and was so weak, I had to call my mom to come pick me up and the embarrasement sent me through the roof. I have nothing to stress about and couldnt wrap my brain aroung it. So the next few days were like having the flu then one day on my way home from work it happend again. So I went to the doctor and he said it was my inner ear so then I started taking Claritin, sudafed and pills for dizziness. But all the symptoms are still here and the medication makes it worse. So we finally decided that my body and mind and nerves are all being effected by my outragous amount of coffe drinking! So I quit and after analizing the situation, every time I had a attack or got close was after my coffees. Let me tell you I've been a coffe drinker for at least 10 years and alot of it and I never expected this, not only do you feel all the pains in your intire body, your nervous, anxious, tierd, dizzy, you cant seem to put two feet firmly on the ground and all of these thing put together make you scared, your stomack hurts you cant hardly hold a conversation, you loose your memory....but now that Ive figured out what it is I cant seem to figure out how to get over it now I have to figure out what to do with all that time I spent drinking coffee!! It was ME time and now I feel almost naked without it! I will say that this site has really helped alot I mean I really thought I was loosing it. But I can say that it does pass slowly and I guess it depends on how much you have in your body in my case Im probably marinating in it, water does help alot and sleep and taking it slow. And reminding yourself that it is what it is nothing more than riding yourself of the very thing that is causing it.
suz
re: Tea Withdrawal
I've been reading all the comments and am so glad not to be alone. I quit tea yesterday. I've been drinking it by the pot load for years. I've tried cutting down but the quantity just goes up again. I have virtually quit drinking wine as I'm pregnant and was drinking even more tea.
Anyway I feel foul, yesterday I was grumpy and irritable with my partner and kids and today I've got an awfull headache and have been feeling sick and weak. I managed a sleep with the kids this afternoon and that helped abit. I've considered going to a neighbour to scrounge a coke to get rid of the symptoms but have managed to ride it so far.
Anonymous
re: your not alone
I gave up alcohol 10 months ago, and found I was Really leaning on the coffee. I am at a point now, where I am irritable at night waiting for morning to role around so i can have my fix.. That sounds bad. I have highs and crashes from the caffine. I am cutting back big time. Drinking lots and lots of water, exercise, and one small coffee before lunch. It is amazing what a exceptable drug caffine is in society. But the down sides really out weigh the good.
Keep it up, it will get easier.....
Out-west
re: Re: help
You didn't say what type of tea you were drinking. If you check the chart, tea also has caffeine in it. It doesn't sound like you have to quit for medical reasons, so why not do a slow withdrawl by having half caffeine half decaf and slowly increasing the decaf percentage?
Out-west
re: Still have cravings
It has been 208 hours since I quit. Yes, I am keeping track. I still think of coffee all the time, when it is brewing, imagining holding a cup and adding the cream and sugar, and holding it, smelling it, drinking it. I wake up thinking about it, and all the reminders around me. I feel like a junkie, still craving a fix. I had planned to go back on it after 2 weeks (the doctor told me to quit for that long), and looking forward to it, even though the stomach pains etc. My brain wants me to take it more than my body needs it.
Stefanie
re: HELP!
I quit coffee earlier this year and did not have any until November. I think I went a total of 6-7 months. I was doing so well...drinking a lot of tea, but I just missed the smooth, rich taste of coffee. After getting a new job and having my cubical RIGHT next to the coffee pot, I could not resist the smell any longer and decided with much enticing from fellow co-workers to give into my temptation. It has been several wonderful months of enjoying coffee, HOWEVER, I decided to give it up yesterday and I really don't think I am going to make it. Sometimes tea just does not do it for me and I've been so tired, annoyed, irritated, and unfocused. Any help anyone could give me would be great!
Paula T
re: tips
I'm on my second day of No Coffee. I take cocoa in the mornings instead, so I'm not quitting cold turkey. When the cocoa powder is finished I'll move on to finishing my supply of black and green tea. After that it'll be rooibos (red bush) tea for me. Fortunately I have no desire for sodas. I have bought a bushel of oranges to make fresh orange juice in the morning. I also intend to up my intake of veggies and good proteins & fats and avoid junk food. Am now looking into a mix of natural supplements that will help me stay energized and help the detox process.
Yesterday I woke up with a severe headache and needed 2 Ibuprofen, but today it was only a very mild headache. I'm drinking lots of water and Ayurvedic spice tea - this seems to be helping. Other tips I've heard are to do some mild form of exercise, such as walking or swimming. Someone mentioned elevated heart rates on this post, I also think the endorphins from exercise will help.
I've not had leg cramps, but perhaps you could try massage/stretching. Pamper yourself and derive courage from the fact that you are doing something that is good for you in the long term.
Good luck!
Steve
re: Comment
Hey, thanks for really opening up and telling your story.
I'm sure it must have been "HELL" for you, however, I am crawling
up onto the caffeine free train as well and you certainly gave me a shove!
Thanks again my friend!
User
re: it isnt that bad
I have quit also and their are headaches and aches and pain and allkinds of bad stuff. I went through Benzo ( like Xanax and valuim) a while back ago and I had a severe panic attack that lasted 2 weeks. Ih ad seisures, I was trhowing up every day and dry heaving, I couldnt eat, Ithought I was going to die and could have. Caffeine withdraws are a piece of cake
Jon
re: I always believed "caffeine
I always believed "caffeine addiction" was nonsense, yeah we coffee drinkers need a coffee to get us going first thing in the morning and occasional boosts through the day. Boy was I wrong...I ran out of coffee yesterday so thought I would drink tea instead.My local store was closed - no problem I thought I have lots of tea. This after 25 years of strong European drip coffee, 5-6 cups a day.This afternoon I thought I had been poisoned...like I had the biggest hangover...the tea is poisoned I reasoned (seriously I was delirious!) - I was totally unaware that this was caffeine withdrawal.I had a blinding headache, extreme light sensitivity,terrible indigestion,nausea and hot and cold sweating (and it is a cold day here in Prague!), my girlfriend came home and thought I was having a heart attack. My pupils were totally dilated and I was grey! After a dash to the store she gave me a strong black coffee and within minutes the symptoms had almost vanished...it felt like I had drunk a large whiskey...very strange.
This has absolutely terrified me.As a smoker I believed that was the real addiction, coffee is just coffee I always thought.
So the coffee is this evening locked away and my love has the key! She is rationing me and is designing a reduction regime which I must stick to. If I hadn't found this page (thanks to you all) I would have been at the hospital by now. I have today learnt the reality of this addiction and I am going to beat it (then I can start on the cigarettes!). If there is a lesson here, for those really heavy users - I don't think I am the worst or that European coffee is stronger than American blends - expect symptoms far more extreme than for the two lattes a day users...sounds obvious but cold turkey gives the symptoms of horrible proportions!!
Jon
User
re: wow, as enlightening as it
wow, as enlightening as it was to read your life story and your elaboration on all of the many different cups of coffee you've had and where you've had them, this site is for those unfortunate souls such as myself that would like to be a little healthier than the average stressed out obese workaholic you sometimes pass by on the street. so, a word to the wise: take your opinions and sarcasm to those who relate to and feel about a subject as you do.
Daniel
re: organic
Organic is simply a growing method. It has very little to do with flavor and outside of the chance of chemical residue left on non-organic crops is not inherently safer or healthier. In the case of coffee you have two additional mitigating factors. One the roasting will destroy most if not all residual chemicals and two much of the coffee growing world is too poor to use large amounts of chemicals on their coffee crops so it is organic or nearly organic by default. Organic certification costs money so in poor countries it is often not available to even organic farms.
Anonymous
re: Anyone know if Organic
Anyone know if Organic coffee is better for you? My mom has 3.5 cups every morning and doesn't have irritated bowel, etc.
Anonymous
re: It Gets Better
Ok here's my story. I've given up coffee before, sporadically, but usually moving on to decaf (yes still full of caffeine). One week ago today I decided to quit coffee for good. I noticed at night I was itchy, my skin was dry for much of the time, I had gas at night after drinking it late, I was jumpy, I was tired in the mid mornings and mid afternoons. So I stopped cold turkey, from about 8 cups a day to nothing. It was hell. I had a headache most of the time, not severe but enough to require advil. Then the leg muscles started aching. This was the worst really, a dull constant intense ache, and I would take advil but still nothing really helped. A heating pad on the knee joint appeared to ease that pain though. Now a week later I am finally, finally getting over the withdrawal symptoms, No more headache, and the left knee only aches a tiny bit twice a day, really only when I used to have my major caffeine fixes -- odd. Well all this prompted me to do some research on the net, found this site of course and I realized how much of a serious drug caffeine is, affecting weight gain and loss, skin condition, overstimulating the adrenal glands, affecting hypertension and cardiovascular. I never considered myself a drug user, but just coming off the caffeine proves to me how much of serious drug caffeine is. Needless to say I'm avoiding decaf (caffeine and crap in that too) and hot chocolate, iced tea and soda, and chocolate for the most part. I don't want to supplement one form of caffeine addiction for another. Then once I'm truly off I'll have a sinful thing once in a while and not worry too much.
But the other side of the giving up coffee is the psychological aspect. Face it, we are (were) addicted to it. I drank it for years and loved it. Now I have to reshift my thoughts to not enjoying it and replacing my need for the oral fixation, of having something around. Currently it's peppermint tea and a jug of water near my reach. The tea (careful lots like green tea are loaded with caffeine) helps me when I wake up and want something hot to sip. The water is something I chug down each day, partly to help detox from the caffeine, partly because we should drink lots of water each day (take your body weight and divide by two -- this is how many ounces of water you should drink per day.) I've also found that taking vitamins, a multi and a b complex also seems to help me feel better.
The anxiety attacks and joint or muscle pain, and headaches one reads about here are all withdrawal symptoms. I read that giving up coffee is easier than giving up heroin but harder than cigarettes. So stick with it, take the advil, in a worst case scenario, do the slow get off caffeine trick of going from a bunch of cups a day down to one cup a day for about a week or so then quit it for good. You have support and trust me, even after a week, you'll feel a thousand times better over the course of a day than you did while sucking down that brown java.
Man: This coffee tastes like mud.
Waitress: It was ground this morning. 🙂
User
re: panic attacks
i stoped drinking red bulls about 7 days ago, i was drinking 5 -6 a day which i new was bad, i am surposed to be at work at the moment but becouse of a wicked panic attack , i had to get my friend to pick me up from the side of the road and take me home, panic attacks are very scarey to say the least, and can come out of no where, or start as a little anxity and esculate to an attack, ova the last 7 days, my anxity has been getting worse, but i have GAD which is an anxity disorder, and i have stoped smoking marijuwana ova the last 7 days as well, which has similar withdrawl effects with incrased anxity!! so the next few weeks of my life are going to be hell, but its for the best, im writing this to let anybody know that, Panic attacks are horrible BUT when having one think in the back of your mind, NOTHING bad is going to happen, as scary as it might be. they will last for about 3 mins then retreat , and try to slow your breathing down, as hyperventerlating is the main trigger for a panic attack if any body would like to ask me about anxity or panic attacks email me, unfortunity i have had years of experience and will gladly help any one. [email protected]
Anonymous
re: Leg pain.
Leg pain. Thank God I found this site. I usually had one cup of coffee in the morning, then another around 3, for the last 20 years. I went to the doctor because of stomach pains, she thought it may be irritable bowel and asked me to quit caffeine cold turkey for two weeks. No coffee, chocolate, pain meds with caffeine, tea, etc. The first 12 hours got a severe headache, which turned to a dull one with stabbing pain if I tried to walk. The next day felt like flu, couldn't think or function. Then I got horrible pains in my legs down to my knees, I could not get comfortable. The next day was not as bad and day five still have them but off and on. I am so glad I read similar accounts as I was wondering if there was something serious going on. I have a theory, could it be that after years of caffeine and not enough water, the muscles and sinews atrophied, and with caffeine gone and replacing it with water, they are actually stretching and growing back to normal size? The only relief I found was stretching my legs, that helped for a few hours.
Jared
re: headaches, nausea, sore throats, oh my!
I'm on day two of my detox and I have the foggiest feeling that I've ever had in my life. My eyes seem to glaze over from the inside out - I'm not having a hard time seeing, I'm having a hard time figuring out what I'm seeing. Yesterday I had the reddest eyes, and today my head is pounding like a hammer has set in. I really hope this passes soon.
I was drinking about 4-5 cans of Diet Coke per day alone with two tall lattes from Starbucks on a daily basis. I didn't really realize how addicted I was until I went to the doctor for heartburn and he told me to stop my caffeine intake and it would probably clear up (and I wouldn't have to keep taking my prescription antacid). Of course, initially, I was like, "NO! I need that stuff!"
But I relent.
I'm not looking forward to the rest of the withdrawal process, but I'm looking forward to the weight, mind, heartburn, and other benefits that it will bring. Bring it on!