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
jackie says
re: shocked
i had a heart palpatation attack a few weeks ago and ended up in the ER room that night..well the next day i cut out all caffeen...i only expected to get major headachs what i got was much worse...i had no idea what i'd be going through...then anxiety and fear is unbelievable...i too almost went on anti depressents...i'm feeling better now...i just hope i really get back to my old self completely....do you think it would be ok to just drink decaf....?
User says
re: You need to check the
You need to check the caffeine content of the aspirin - probably why you don't have side-effects.
User says
re: Linnea
Hi Linnea
Could you please give me your email address again? If you would prefer mail me at Abbasec @ aol.com. I just wanted to pick your brains about some of the things you said.
regards
Pauline
User says
re: What helped me - coffee withdrawls
Hi, please read my post about "This greatly helped my withdrawls". I believe the brain chemicals get off and thus the horrible symptoms. Thanks and good luck...mail me anytime for support. Linnea
GOING CRAZY says
re: MOST OF THE SYMPTOMS HAVE
MOST OF THE SYMPTOMS HAVE SUBSIDED. I STILL WAKE UP AT ABOUT 4 AM BUT CAN GET BACK TO SLEEP AND THE SKY IS FALLING SYNDROME IS MOSTLY GONE FOR NOW. IM FEELING BETTER AND ABLE TO CONCENTRATE BETTER AND IT HAS BEEN ALMOST 12 DAYS. THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS I FELL PRAY TO AW ONE COULDN'T HURT AND I MADE IT THROUGH WITHOUT RELAPSE. THE VITAMANS HAVE BEEN A KEY IM TAKING A MULTIPLE 4 X A DAY AND SUPP C 4 TIMES THAT HAS HELPED ME THE MOST AND I TRULY THANK YOU FOR THAT INFO IT HELP STABILIZE ME THE QUICKEST.
John S says
re: Cold turkey on the caffeine
As a truck driver I too am giving up caffiene. Mostly because I have read several articles on how it affects Insulin levels. I am insulin resistant and am looking for ways to improve my sensitivity to insulin. But, I agree why go cold turkey and increase all those withdrawal side effects.I am taking it a bit slow. I have started mixing my coffee with decaf in the morning. it gives me the taste of real coffee but half the caffeine. In a week or so I will almost go totally decaf. So far my only effects are feeling tired, but during the day I actually have more energy. I also take muti vitamin and drink much more water now.
Gigi says
re: Caffeine withdarawl and muscle aches?
I'm on day 4 of caffeine withdrawal. Like many posters here, I am from the Seattle area and coffee is practically a religion. When I was working I was accustomed to 2 double tall lattes every morning (one made at home, one at Starbucks), and then a third in the afternoon. I have the month of July off, and decided this might be a good time to kick the caffeine habit. Day 1 wasn't bad, actually. And days 2 and 3 came and went with no headaches. I was REALLY tired day 1 & 2, though. That seemed to improve by the third day. But on the second night I started to have an interesting new symptom that has not yet subsided - muscle aches. I hurt all over, but mostly in my legs and back. I feel like I have the flu. I have no other symptoms but this awful soreness. Anyone else have this, and did it pass? I am also doing the Montignac diet (French diet), which eliminates sugar and limits carbs, so it's hard to tell what the culprit is. I'm sure my body is just not happy with being deprived of sugar and caffeine all at once, though.
User says
re: Leg Pain - wow
HI
The only problem is that drinking the coffee will make the symptoms go away but it only lengthens the cycle of coming entirely off caffeine. It's a bit like a heroin addict will feel better after having a dose of heroin but you are only prolonging the long term effects of why you wanted to come off the drug in the first place.
I made the mistake of going cold turkey and then the odd drink of tea here and there and found that I had to , not start all over again, but still go through withdrawal symptoms.
Hope this makes sense.
User says
re: Thank you all for sharing
Thank you all for sharing your experiences. As many others have said; It is comforting to know that other people are experiencing the same withdrawal symptoms.
I quite caffeine just a little over a month ago, and not knowing the troubles that lay before me... I quit cold turkey. At first I had all the normal withdrawal symptoms: headaches and loss of energy. By the end of the 3rd day I felt pretty good. The headaches were gone and I figured I was out of the woods. That night I had a terrible nightmare and that of course is when the anxiety and panic attacks started. The anxiety and panic was pretty severe and lasted for about two weeks. During that time I also had a number of nights when I had a lot of difficulty sleeping. Fortunately the panic is gone, the anxiety is seldom, and when I do have it it is mild.
About two weeks after quiting I started getting 'strange' headaches. I call them strange because I have never had a headache in my temples and on the top of my head before. By the way they feel I would guess they are tension headaches. They aren't severe by any means but I guess they are a bit unsettling. The other problem that I have had about as long as the headaches are problems with my eyes. I have difficulty focusing, I can't look at my computer screen for more than a few minutes at a time, and it feels like there is 'stuff' floating around in my eyes. Like the headaches the problems with my eyes come and go. I am curious to know if anyone else has had problems with their eyes.
User says
re: Leg Pain - Wow
I have also had leg pain! I thought it was a back problem coming back but all of a sudden when I woke up this morning with it again (4th day after quitting entirely) I started to wonder because the symptoms really made no sense. SO good to know others are experiencing it. I had a cup of coffee this morning and it seems to have finally subsided after 3 days. Any idea how long this lasts?
Anonymous says
re: Help for withdrawl
Hi, yes keep me posted if you wish as to how you are feeling. I am finally through the worst of it and can truly say I feel like myself again. Sad I can't have coffee anymore but I can't go through that nightmare again. Good luck, Linnea gracefulmiracles @ yahoo.com
Anonymous says
re: Hi and coffee withdrawl
Hi there, gosh we have had the same symptoms. The amino acid helped a great deal as did the B-6, C. If I did not have these in this combination then I starting have all this weird depresssion, etc. Oh gosh it was just horrible. I have the fear, etc as well and could hardly be around people. Hang in there and let me know how you are doing. Grace at gracefulmiracles @ yahoo.com. Mail me anytime for support.
Anonymous says
re: This is brutal
I am finishing day 4 right now. After 23 years of at least a 16oz cup of coffee (starbucks grande for the past 15) plus other mid day and evening sources of caffeine the doctor asked me to quit in response to chest/neck pain and stress/occassional panic attacks that I was experiencing while tests are performed on me. Those tests continue and although the I may find the that the coffee was not the main culprit, the withdrawl is brutal nonetheless. The most uncomfortable feeling is the anxiety and feeling of loss of control at subjects in your life that are stressful..it comes and goes and ususally after I sleep for an hour or so I feel much better...I am taking a sip of coke every few hours to take the edge off (no more than 45 mg. as day versus the 600 or so I used to consume) but the aches, sweaty palms, chills, loss of appetite, hazy head above the eyes, inability to concentrate and other symptoms are tough to shake. I suppose after over 20 years of drinking this stuff I had no idea how powerful it was.
I have found that forcing yourself to do things that require active involvement, exercise, forced concentration on work or reading help keep you sane. I certainly hope this improves over the next few days but now I am resolved to stick it out knowing the power this chemical has had over me for two decades.
GOING CRAZY says
re: CAFFINE WITHDRAWL
TO KNOW THAT SOMEONE OUT THEIR IS GOING THROUGH THE SAME SYMPTOMS I AM HAVING IS SUCH A RELIEF, SLEEP BECOMING BETTER BUT WAKING UP AT 4 IN THE MORNING WITH ALMOST PANIC ATTACKS, WORRY AND FEAR AND A SENSE OF I AM INCOMPETENT AND UNABLE TO SOCIALIZE WITH OTHER PEOPLE IS SOME OF THE SYPTOMS. I HAVE FUNCTIONED DURING THE DAY BUT SOME MORNINGS IT DOESN'T FEEL LIKE IM GOING TO MAKE IT AND BEING A SINGLE FATHER OF THREE I CAN'T EXACTLY STAY IN THE BED WITH THE COVERS OVER MY HEAD. I FEEL LIKE A SCARED LITTLE BOY LOCKED IN A DARK CLOSET OR HAVE THE SKY IS FALLING SYNDROME. IT SI GETTING BETTER IS HAS BEEN ALMOST 1 WEEK BUT I WAS CONSIDERING AN ANTI DEPRESSANT BUT I AM GOING TO HANG IN THERE AND DO THIS BECAUSE THE CAFFEINE HAS BEEN MY ENEMY FOR A LONG TIME BUT IM DETERMINED TO MAKE IT THROUGH, I WILL GET HE LIST OF VITAMINS YOU SUGGEST AND LET YOU KNOW HOW IT WORKS. THANK YOU SO MUCH. HAVE A GREAT DAY
User says
re: leg pain ad caffiene withdrawal
I had the leg pain also. Still do some, but, less and less each day.
I have been drinking some tea instead and it seems to help quite a bit.
Stephen says
re: I used to drink three to
I used to drink three to four energy drinks a day along with a 2-liter of diet soda because I really enjoy the nearly anxious tweak of caffeine intoxication. I recently stopped drinking energy drinks but still drink some soda and for the past couple of days I have been getting really bad headaches and also irritable bowels (diarrhea). Even though I reduced my caffeine consumption by more than half I was still really surprised that I would have caffeine withdrawal. I drank 3 cups of coffee and I felt completely better (with a 2-liter of soda, of course). I might try to stop caffeine altogether since apparently I have a problem with impulse control. I don't eat excess sugar or fat though, which either one is far worse than caffeine. I don't remember hearing that caffeine caused someone's Type II Diabetes.
User says
re: Caffeine Free- 3rd day
I have been drinking diet mountain dew for a while. Usually 20 oz a day. 2 days ago, I decided I did not want to the caffeine in my body anymore because I want to stop drinking soda completely. I was fine the first day. The 2nd day I had a pounding headache, nausea feelings, faintness, and body aches. I had to suffer through these symptoms all while working an 8 hour shift. I felt like I had the flu and didn't realize how bad the symptoms could actually get. I am on my third day and have a slight headache and had a hard time concentrating in my class. I am hoping some of these other symtoms like leg pain don't occur like I saw some of you mention.
Pauline says
re: This greatly helped my caffeine withdrawal
Thank you so much you have answered some of my questions. It's now longer than three months but I have had all these problems, too. I will certainly look into this. thank you.
Daniel says
re: Coke had coke
Please refer to the
Snopes
article about Coke and cocaine. According to Snopes (usually trusted) it's true.
User says
re: Me too!!
I've been having the same problem since I've switched to "caffeine-free" coca-cola. My headaches onset in the night while I'm asleep and sometimes I even wake up in the night to the throbbing pain. When I get up in the morning, it's still there! It's not the kind of headache you can "wait out"...it's the kind you want relief from immediately! So, I usually get some Advil and a regular soda (with caffeine) to ease the pain. So far, this method has worked, so I'm assuming these headaches are caffeine related.
User says
re: They say that, but is there
They say that, but is there any proof tat there was cocaine in it? I think it may be an old wives tale.... hmmm that would be interesting to find out.
User says
re: Without straying too far off
Without straying too far off topic, Buddhism has no rules per se. One CHOOSES to follow the precepts, and failing to adhere to one principle does not exclude you from a Buddhist mentality.
Secondly, any substance that can be used to modify a chemical process in the body is considered a drug. Our bodies naturally produce and consume drugs all the time. So, essentially, even sobriety itself is a continuous "drug-binge," as you endogenously excrete neurotransmitters and hormones. Making a distinction between drugs inside the body and outside the body is silly; it's the mindless pattern of behavior and addiction to a substance that is the culprit.
Anonymous says
re: This greatly help my caffeine withdrawl
I gave up coffee nearly 3 months ago, cold turkey and since then have had severe headaches in the temples and depression to the point where I thought I would have to go on an anti-depressant. I had no choice really as my body just could not handle the caffeine anymore. I could barely function and I don't know how I got through work each day. I was getting to get scared as the intense symptoms had not let up so I started asking around, visiting the health food store and finally found some relief. As soon as I started taking the following I felt better almost right away. I take three times a day: B-6 (50mg), L-tryosine (500mg an amino acid), vitamin C (500mg), vitamin E, a good multiple vitamin. I think the coffee withdrawl process depleted my brain chemistry especially the endorphins and the serotonin. I eat a lot of protein and this help too. Also I got a lot of excellent info from this page about depression and I have followed it to the letter and what a change: http://www.healthdetectives.com/thehealthdetectives/id19.html Good luck to you all.
User says
re: The zen of coffee
There are no "rules" to buddhism. A monk may take formal vows not to ingest certain drugs. However, lay practitioners may chose to ingest or chose not to ingest drugs.
User says
re: why cold turkey?
I have been thinking about cutting down on my caffeine intake but am wondering why on earth someone would want to just quit cold turkey. With all the people reporting headaches, panic attacks and insomnia, why not just slowly cut down? My plan is to buy some regular coffee and some decaf and mix them. I figure first I will go with 3 parts real and 1 part decaf..next go to 2 parts then to 1 part, etc.
I had full blown free floating anxiety (24/7) and insomnia for a year and a half and damned if I will take a chance getting that crap again.
rolson43 says
re: Yes! The leg pain is
Yes! The leg pain is horrible at about day 3 or 4. I tried to stop cold turkey but culd not due to the pain. It was almost like sciatica pain shooting down both legs. On day 5 I had coffee again and the pain subsided. Caffeine is certainly an addictive drug.
User says
re: Help
Ive been suffering from what I believe is caffeine withdrawal over the past few days. I have lowered the amount of caffeine ive consumed over these days and since then Ive gotten horrible headaches that I need to take Ibuprofen to get rid of. The Ibuprofen helps but once a new day starts I wake up with another throbing headache. Its been 4 days that this has been happening and Im hoping that it will end sometime soon
Anonymous says
re: Aching legs
Day 2: headache, fogginess
Day 3: heavy feeling in legs, headache
Day 4: no sleep, pain in legs, right worse. Like restless leg syndrome, but with pain. Makes one think having heart attack.
Anyone else have leg pain?
Anonymous says
re: Wow - Day 2, pounding headache
Wow, I'm on day 2 of a doctor assisted diet (seems like suicide). The first rule is no caffeine. Well I haven't had caffeine in exactly 50 hours and 30 minutes and my head hurts. Tylenol X 2 doesn't do the trick, still pounding. How long is it going to last? Is there something better than Tylenol for headaches? It is hard to work, especially on a computer that I am in front of for 9 hours. Help!!!
Tim Macking - MCSE, MCSA, MCDBA, MCT, CCNA
User says
re: 2 weeks off
hi, i have been off caffine for 2 weeks today.i still feel moody.
User says
re: nightmares
hi, i have been off caffine for 2 weeke now.I also have been having nightmares.every night,so i guess we are kind of the same.you can write me back if you like. thanks
User says
re: Cocaine
Coke used to contain Cocaine. Imagine the withdrawals from that when the government decided to put a ban on it?
I am trying to ween myself off tea. I love tea and am struggling with trying to resist it. Yes I get withdrawals...headaches and tension. But to tell you the truth I havent really noticed any benefits of not taking it either. Bummer!
No incentive not to take it, other than being free from the addiction, which I hate being tied to tea pot.
Jeanette says
re: Coffee withdrawl
Hello. Just wanted to respond and maybe you can shed some light here. I have been fasting for a couple weeks now. I will not eat anything after 3pm. Then Wednesday night I went out for dinner and had a big pasta dinner with Italian Ice and Medium Ice cream after. I was soo sick the next day, I think my body went into shock. Anyhow, I wanted to get that stuff out so I got a colon cleanser Thursday morning and started taking it. Today is the 4th day and I also quit the coffee cold turkey. Did you have aches and pains at all? I feel that the cleansers aren't working that well yet.... Does it take more time?
User says
re: Haven't tried Teeccino, but
Haven't tried Teeccino, but for me, this whole "getting off the bean" began after reading "Your Body's Many Cries For Water" by Dr. F. Batmangelidj. The book has been life-altering. The horrible things we do to our bodies by consuming caffeine-laced beverages and foods are frightening. Most of us are severely dehydrated. I've begun following his suggestions of drinking nothing but pure water (12+ glasses per day). While I've still had the caffeine withdrawals (headache and exhaustion), the water defintely helps. I'm only a few days into this, but each day has been better. Stick with it! 🙂
micky mouse says
re: my life
i love caffine. yo.
it gives me that lift in the mornin bro and it keeps me up all day. till i crash at twelve.
represent
bluesojourn says
re: Day 4 for me
This is my 4th day after cold turkey from caffeine. I thought I was getting off easy because so far I had just been sleepy and had just one seige of headache for a short while. Last night, though, it really hit me! My body started aching everywhere. I can even feel my internal organs aching. My nausea and intestinal upset is extreme. My head is a mush. I can't sleep. The only thing that helps is walking. I'm determined to stick through it. I'm getting this nasty sh*t out of my body once and for all!
I did want to mention: I bought some Teeccino herbal coffee from the health food store. You brew it just like coffee, and with my cream added, that stuff is very satisfying as a coffee substitute. I am impressed. And it's supposed to do some good, healthy things for the bod ...
User says
re: I'm confused. You're a
I'm confused. You're a Buddhist? You realize one of the rules of Buddhism is to not ingest any drugs, and you also realize that caffeine is a drug, right?
Andrea says
re: Maybe the reason people need
Maybe the reason people need to "quit" caffeine is because it is addictive. Some even say as addictive as herion, just not quite as dangerous. For me, my caffeine withdrawl was not by choice. I found myself drinking pop and pop only throughout the day. Being as I am atrisk for osteoporosis I decided to quit pop, one week into it I'm suffering horrendous migraines which cements the reason I quit in the first place. Caffeine is okay in moderation if you don't become addicted which as you stated is very difficult these days. So please don't blame this addiction on the person, caffeine is the obvious culprit here.
User says
re: Caffiene Withdrawal keeping me down...
Hello all,
I have been a moderate-to-light coffee drinker for the last 10 years. I've tried numerous times to quit, but I can never get past 5 days. The headaches usually fade by then, but the psychological effects persist and I usually cave in.
This time around, I tried drinking decaf coffee for a few days, and that was enough to start a withdrawal. I got the usual headaches, but this time I noticed something I hadn't noticed before: I have been really down since.
I seriously thought I was mildly depressed. I keep having negative thoughts, and feel really tired. I've lost motivation to do certain hobbies as well. Then I looked back to when this started, and it coincided exactly when I starting drinking decaf coffee. It's comical in a way to see how a simple caffiene withdrawal can affect me psychologically as well.
Today, day four, was the first day I stopped drinking caffiene altogether. I drink lots of water, and had a Sprite, which satisfies the sweet tooth at least.
Being a Buddhist, I also try to meditate daily, which helps relax the mind and give it some clarity. I realize now that this negative behavior is not really me; it's a temporary side effect from the withdrawal, so I don't worry about it much. All I have to do is wait it out, and let my brain readjust. Others have stated that this could take weeks, but one positive note is that I am saving money (3-4 dollars a day) by doing this, so I'll hang in there.
I hope you do too. Good luck!
User says
re: Cold Turkey...Day 3
I'm finishing up day three without coffee...and I agree that cold turkey works for me as well. For the first two days I was fighting terrible headaches, feeling tension around my temples. The brain fog was awful, causing me difficulties in getting my work done. I hit a turning point after lunch today, though, and feel like I'm getting back to normal. I feel much "cleaner" without consuming black poison... and feel confident as I take a greater step toward self-possession.
Laine says
re: paracetemol seems useless!
like everyone else here i am also suffering from caffeine withdrawls, does anyone here notice that paracetemol does nothing at all. i have yet to try ibpuforen
User says
re: Cold turkey works best for me.
For me, cold turkey is the only way to go. I was doing fine for two days but then decided to have one cup of coffee. I made me feel normal but a few hours later I had a panic attack and then felt really sick. For a while I was convinced that I was suffering from food poisoning. The next day, I suffered depersonalization. Everything was confusing and my emotions seemed alien to me. It seems that taking a temporary break from abstinence will cause a major rebound of withdrawal symptoms a few hours later. I think some who cut down or switch to decaf may be making their symptoms worse. Caffeine causes anxiety for me and no matter how weird or sick I feel from withdrawal, I can still remaim calm and do not suffer much anxiety. However, add just the tiniest amound of caffeine to my system right now and all hell will break loose.
Anonymous says
re: Nightmares!
I have been off my caffeine for about a week now. Used to drink 5 diet cokes a day for 30 years. Yes, there are the headaches, but has anyone ever experienced nightmares where you wake up in the middle of the night? I was so confused (and thought I was dying) that I poured water all over me to wake up! I asked my husband to call 911 but he just held me and in about 3 minutes I was ok (but scared to go back to sleep). Is that part of all this?
User says
re: it sounds like u just made
it sounds like u just made one stupid mistake after another. Everyone knows caffeine dehydrates you. Everyone knows beer dehydrates you. The fact that you were even more stupid and didnt eat anything meant that any drug in your body would have a much greater effect.
how old are you and how little do you actually care about your body?
User says
re: Too much caffiene/coffee/soda ?
I've read most of the comments here. I also have gotten a mild headache if I go a couple days without coffee which goes away by the evening, but I've never gotten to where I can't, arbitrarily, just skip it whenever I like. Actually, I LIKE coffee, and I actually enjoy it while I drink it (always black, never 'polluted' !). Thus, I try not to ruin my enjoyment by over-indulging in it.
Maybe the issue is, as we have come to do these last 20 years here in America, we have over indulged ourselves on caffeine. That is, a cup of coffee in the morning was a 6oz (tea)cup back before 1970. Maybe one with dinner (6oz or less). You drank coffee if you needed to stay up for the night (policeman, firefighter, doctor, etc.) My God, if you've seen folks casually walking around with $5 24oz coffees, then have more at work, I mean, wow...go figure.
Caffeine ultimately is not the problem, America just has an addiction problem, in general...to anything ! (War, Oil, guns, TV, money, square-footage, etc.). Amazingly, it took decades for the smoking facts to finally touch most of the population that smoking has somewhat declined in popularity. True, coffee itself has no known/proven negative pathology like tobacco, but caffeine sensitivities do range from person to person. Perhaps a 24oz Starbucks should come with a Surgeon General's warning 😉
So my point is, why can't we just enjoy and not be 'dependent' on coffee/soda/yada ?...why do we have to make it something we find ourselves having to 'quit' to feel better. Yeah, it's a broken record argument, but nonetheless perhaps still valid, maybe the real issue is something deeper in the culture (the commercially sanctioned promotion/supporting of addictive behaviors).
Ellen says
re: caffeine
I forgot to mention in my other comment about my breasts. OMG I thought I was having chest pains but after further investigation I found out it was my breasts. They hurt me so bad I had to sleep with a heating pad at night. Before I found out it was coffee doing it, i went to the doctor because of the pain, lumps and swelling in my breasts. She asked me if I was pregnant because my breasts were engorged. I told her the fetus would have to be about 3 years old. She was so concerned she ordered a mammogram. The results were negative, but she told me to stop drinking coffee for a while and see if they improve. The pain is about 95% gone since I stopped the coffee. I was never told I had fibercystic tissue in my breast. Coffee is Dangerous to us peops who are caffeine sensitive so watch out.
Ellen
User says
re: I have just recently cut
I have just recently cut caffeine out of my diet entirely and even after just a week I can tell an intense difference. I was fortunate enough to not suffer from the intense headaches, but I have been excessively irritable and been on the verge of depressive for the last few days. Physically I feel ten times better than I had in weeks before. My muscles feel better and my body in whole feels more relaxed and rested. I can fall asleep at a decent hour and sleep the whole night through. I feel more rested in the morning and getting around in the morning isn't quite the challenge it once was. If you feel like having a soda/cup of coffee... have a glass of water. You wouldn't beleive how much better you'll feel!
ellen says
re: caffeine
I don't know about that anonymous, I was off caffeine for 2 months but I missed that Mcdonalds coffee soooo much. So I decided to have it once a week, the first week I chose a Friday. The second week I chose a Thursday and Friday. Sunday Morning I awoke with the room spinning very fast, dry heaves and numbness and tingling in my left arm. I had to be rushed to the hospital. All kinds of tests were done. The outcome was, that I was healthy. The dizziness lasted about 2 days then I was just in a slow spin for about 3 days. I did some research on caffeine and there are a lot of people with those same symptoms. I have been caffeine free for about four days now and I am shaking badly like I am crackish. I realized that I am caffeine sensitive and my body can not tolerate it. If this is your problem, you need to stay away from it totally.
Good Luck All
Ellen H.
User says
re: 6 days and counting...
Today is the 6th day that I have been without caffeine. I formerly used to drink 2-5 cans of Pepsi, Mountain Dew or Coke daily. I have now cut that out of my intake daily and drink strictly caffeine free drinks (Sprite, 7Up, etc..).
The first couple of days was horrible, sleepiness, horrible headaches, irritable, etc..
I am not as sleepy now, the headaches are still there, but not as bad, and I am no longer irritible.. so I am hoping that I am almost over the hump...
User says
re: Four days ago I thought it
Four days ago I thought it would be a good idea to take three Stacker 3 dietary supplements. These things are chock full of caffeine and other things. Almost 225mg of caffeine per pill. I don't drink coffee and only have the occasional red bull. This was a big shock to my system. I had been drinking beer throughout the day so I didn't feel much of the effects. But I woke up later that night at 1am and my heart was racing. I thought I was going to die. I didn't get to sleep that night. And I ended up going to medical the next day. I was dehydrated, hadn't eaten anything the day before. They got me on an IV and sent me home. They said they see this about once a month.
Well its 4 days later and I still have an anxious feeling I can't shake. Like there's a ball in my throat and I'm about to give a big speech infront of my peers. Very uneasy feeling. I don't feel productive, or all there. I really hope this is just withdrawls and I'll be back to normal soon. I don't want one crazy night to mess up my career because of a bum ticker.