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
Gordon says
re: Withdrawal Symptoms
Reading through the comments below, it would appear that I am suffering from the effects of caffine withdrawal also. I only drink diet soft drinks - usually coke or pepsi, so my caffine intake didn't really seem like an issue. I associated caffine with tea & coffee. Obviously I was seriously wrong. I have switched to caffine free diet coke and for the past week and a bit I have been suffering most, if not all, the symptoms mentioned on this thread - sore head, (although not that bad. Generally a dull ache that doesn't necessitate pain killers); lethargy and sleepiness, (I have felt so lazy recently and very sleepy mid afternoon); inability to sleep soundly at night, (I spend the day feeling sleepy, but at night I have a really restless sleep); aching limbs & cold-like symptoms, (however it has never actually come to anything...)
I have started back at the gym after a lay off of about a month and to begin with I felt really bad. Just no energy. Thankfully, my energy appears to be coming back and the symptoms are slowly abating. I am amazed at the affect caffine can have on ones person. One thing I have noticed is I am not so quick with my temper since I stopped consuming caffine, which is a huge plus. the down side is so many training supplements contain caffine to inhance performance, so I am just going to have to do it the hard way.... c'est la vie!
User says
re: I'm glad to hear that I'm
I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one experiencing back/hip/leg pain! I'm sorry that the rest of you are feeling it too, but I thought something was really wrong with me! I decided to do a search on caffeine withdrawal, after my body has been aching for 2 days now...couldn't get comfortable worth a flip to sleep well either... and then, I had once glass of tea, and the pain subsided for a bit. So, I thought that perhaps it might be a caffeine withdrawal. I am going through a cleansing process, getting off sugar, soda, coffee etc. It's a little harder to give up my iced tea, but I'm down to one glass a day. I'm hoping this lower body pain will go away soon, so that sleep will be easier. I feel sometimes that my legs are just going to crumple beneath me! It's so horrible!
Good Luck to the rest of you!
Brian says
re: Reply
Read your comments.Seems very familiar.Is it all worth it.They do say it gets much better.All the best.
Brian says
re: Big throbbing headache
Live Blackpool,Uk.Day 2 of sensible eating deto.Have stomach ulcer so thought i would try new approach.No fat,no alcohol.no tea/coffee.Feel lowsy.From what i can gather withdrawl from caffeine is behind the headache,very lethergic,tired,grumpy.Must get better.
User says
re: Leg and back pain from caffine withdrawal
I had awful back and and leg pains after about 5 days of being without caffine. By the 7th day I could not sleep for the pain. I was just looking on the internet to see if anyone else had that trouble and I found this site and found out someone else did. I went and got a diet coke the next morning so I wouldn't have to go through anymore nights like that. But I don't want to get back on caffine. So I am going to try to drop down slower this time.
Bill says
re: I can't believe it. I
I can't believe it. I dumped chocolate 8 days ago and have very similar symptoms to what you described. My back/hips/legs hurt, bad enough that I haven't been able to get much sleep (during the day, I can walk off the pain). Until I read your posts, I was really worried that something major might be wrong with me.
One additional symptom for me has been night sweats, where I wake up soaking wet around my neck and shoulders. Because chocolate contains sugar, this additional symptom may be from sugar withdrawal.
Last night wasn't as bad as the previous nights, so I think this may be improving.
Bill
User says
re: headache!
I am on day two of a "fast" / detox that includes abstinence from caffeine (it's called the 'master cleanse' for those who are curious). This is the longest I've gone without coffee or diet coke, but I wasn't expecting such a horrible withdrawal. Ouch!
Caffeine withdrawal is totally real, and it sucks. I wasn't planning on giving up coffee before having this experience, however, now I am considering it. I mean, I quit smoking because of the awful addictive aspects of it as much as the toll it was taking on my health. Coffee might not be as bad for me as cigarettes, but the way I feel when I'm craving it (apparently) and not satisfying that craving is terrible.
Good luck to everyone who's trying to do this; coffee and caffeinated sodas are everywhere, it seems, especially where I live, in New York City.
Rick Schmidt says
re: Coffee withdrawels
When you first decide to quit drinking coffee cold turkey, make sure it is on days or weeks that you have minimal responsibility (work,school work,etc.).Honestly, I reacted to coffee withdrawal with severe headaches and I even got strep throat man! Take a pain med that you know for sure will work for you. I used Tylenol extra strength and even Vicodin. Beware of taking Vicodin on an empty stomach though, it may make you pass out.The headaches are the worst I think, but now I have brain fog, trouble concentrating, and have trouble with motivating myself. This is why I mentioned earlier to make sure that you do the quitting thing on a vacation or something. Its been 7 days since I quit coffee drinking. Most of headaches are gone! YES!Now the brain fog!!! Dude, I am never touching coffee again.The only other experience I had like this was when I quit taking the antidepressant Effexor. That was 10 times worse than this!!!!All of this garbage will eventually subside. Your body will see to it. Just make sure you are eating plenty of fiber,eating wholesome foods,and drinking plenty of water. Hope this helps. Write me back man!
Rick Schmidt says
re: coffee withdrawals
Hey bro,don't feel bad. I am having all of same symptoms you are having especially the lack of concentration and mind fog. It has been 7 days since my last cup of coffee. It's weird man,you actually feel good in a way yet you still feel like crap.As for your cravings man, I highly recommend to you Soyfee. It's a soy bean coffee and it is awesome man. It will take the edge off of your cravings. You can pick some up at their website. Just punch in Soyfee.com. Its kinda pricy at $18.00/ 100 cups but you might be able to pick some up at a health food store.Fight the good fight man.Hope this helps you.
User says
re: caffeine withdrawal
yes both legs actually hurt very much. The pain starting from my lower back and up to my feet is unbearable. Result: no sleep and always restless..
User says
re: I have body aches,
I have body aches, especially in my legs and am still on caffeine. I thought it was middle age also but think it's from the caffeine.
Dan H. says
re: Day 3...no caffeine....just t-i-r-e-d.
Looks like the worst is over.
Yesterday's (ridiculously) awful, splitting headache has subsided. A tiny, little headache has taken its place -- totally manageable.
That said, I am QUITE tired. My eyes are burning. I can't wait to head home from work for the weekend and relax.
It's pretty amazing to me that your body goes through all this hell when you quit caffeine. I mean, do you really think if you drank a couple V8s, or even a 2-3 Gatorades for years, and then suddenly stopped on a dime, that you would feel like you were out partying with Lindsay Lohan till 5 in the morning? Ahh, I don't think so. It really tells you something about caffeine -- not so good -- doesn't it?
One remarkable thing I've realized in all this is how society doesn't think twice about guzzling caffeine. Everyone does it. It's almost anti-taboo. In fact, I'd go so far as to suggest that I'll likely get some second glances from people who can't understand why I don't drink coffee, Coke, etc.
Someone remarked to me years ago that if the FDA received an application for caffeine today, they'd ban it without batting an eye. That doesn't seem to be too far off the mark.
At any rate, best to all who are attempting to kick their caffeine habit. It CAN be done.
tommymommy says
re: Withdrawal
I have had some serious issues with heart palpitations, so i decided to give up caffeine to see if it helped. It did, but the withdraw symptoms are awful. I have been suffering from awful leg pains for days now. To make it worse, i have a cold too. Ugh, i'm miserable. Has anyone else had to deal with loss of sleep from this unbearable leg pain?
former fiend says
re: leg pains
the leg and hip pains are normal. mine started on day two and subsided by day five. take a tylenol for the pains and stick it out. I though that I had some kind of bone cancer going on in my hips and legs.. it really is amazing how much pain is involved. I just know that if my body has to go through all of this to get off caffeine, that it was not a very healthy thing to have been consuming. I am now on day six, feel great.. had a headache last night after I drank a single can of beer.. not sure what the relation is to caffeine withdrawal, but hopefully I will be able to at least have a few beers now and then without the headaches in the future.
User says
re: I have been suffering with
I have been suffering with heart palpitations/rapid hear beat to the point where i thought i was going to die. I decided to stop drinking coffee since i like it strong and knew this can attribute to palpitations. Well, i had a headache the first 2 days. Couldn't stand it so made some 1/2 caffeine 1/2 decaf. Well now it's been a week since dropping to decaf and now no coffee at all. Palpitations have subsided, but my legs and lower back are killing me!! I also have a bad cold which isn't helping. I thought i had the flu because of the aches in my legs. I can't sleep and its now day 5 dealing with this. Do i have some other health issue going on, or can someone else verify this as a symptom of withdrawal? Thanks
User says
re: Coffee, Starbucks and this Headaches
Starbucks is all a scam. I quit coffee 6 days ago. now feelling neck/back aches, tension headaches...I thought something was seriously wrong with me. But I see this is common. I hope the best for us all and that we overcome these illusions. Yes, I agree with the comment, the body's natural state is much stronger and energetic than stupid starbucks coffee. I'm sure their stockholders are sleepping well at night.
Dan H. says
re: Day 2...No caffeine...splitting headache & more....
What a great msg board.
I'm about done with Day 2. Today was GOD AWFUL. Major headache, nervousness, mild depression, anxiety...
Weird thing is, I just got a ray of light, I'm starting to feel better right this very second. Perhaps some of that can be chalked up to reading all the renforcement here?
At any rate, it's abundantly clear after feeling like complete dog $hit today, and reading all the other msgs on this board, that caffeine is a serious drug. Not to sound to nutty, but my take after feeling like a party of elves went on a excavating escapade in my head is this: Starbucks (Mmmmm..) is the nation's biggest dope peddler.
I am so psyched that I am going to conquer this nonsense. I look forward to a restoration of health, better nights of sleep, and real energy.
Everyone can do this -- all it requires is belief and a willingness to suck it up in the painful beginning stages.
Yes...you CAN do it.
former fiend says
re: day five - no caffeine
I have now been five days without caffeine and it has been quite rough. Of course the headaches started the same day that I stopped, continued unabated for the next three days and I had terrible aches in my pelvis, lower back and upper legs. Taking two Tylenols a day did a great deal towards helping me cope with these symptoms. Today is the first day that I have not had a headache and the legs and hip pains that seriously felt like advanced bone cancer have gone away. This site was a tremendous help in preparing for the move away from caffeine. I was consuming around 400 to 600 mgs a day in the form of coffee and energy drinks and including no-doz which I had almost developed a liking for the taste! anyway, it can be done and really one just has to be patient and accept that the discomforts will pass. I actually feel so calm and at peace now. my mood is so much better and friends and family have already noticed that I am nicer to be around! Drinking lots of orange juice helps as well, maybe the potassium?
User says
re: Do your research!
Thank you to the gentleman that provided all of the information about the palpitations. As for the person who left the comments about the Munchausen's Syndrom, you needs to do your research! Munchausen's Syndrom is a psychological disorder where a person feigns serious illnesses to constantly goes to the hospital for treatment, possibly for the psychological gratification of the attention. Maybe you were thinking about a hypochondriac?? Check yourself so that you don't seen ignorant.
Barb M says
re: It could be MSG causing the continued palps
Research MSG online, Dr. Blaylock on Youtube is great for such information and you will see for yourself. MSG can cause palpatations and I suspect that it is also part of your diet since the palpatations are not going away. MSG is not just in Chinese food but in virtually anything in a box or bag or can these days. I hope you find your trigger.
Christy says
re: Caffeine withdrawal
I also had anxiety and depression plus panic attacks. After quitting caffeine, there was a certain rise in the level of my anxiety, etc. However, I knew that the caffeine had been contributing to the anxiety and depression, etc., so I stuck it out - it took 3 weeks before I felt better. I have benefitted immensely in that my panic went completely away (I also reduced carbs like pasta and sugar), and the anxiety became much much less. I had the headaches - there are pills you can get from the doctor for these if aspirin does not work.
User says
re: Fourth day caffiene free
I've been four days with out my coffee. I was drinking 10 cups a day for over 15 years and decided that it had to stop so I quit cold turkey. The first two days I had major headaches, but Tylenol help with those. Yesterday and today I got a small headache (more of a pressure than pain)
I am noticing that I am very unmotivated today. Hard to focus on anything, quite drowsy like my mind is all foggy. From what i read this should pass as well.
My biggest challenge has been the craving for the tastes. I'm trying to substitute herbal teas but it's just not the same thing.
I'll stick with it though, I'm not going to go through all that pain for nothing.
Charlene says
re: Caffeine/coffee withdrawal
Hi,
If you can deal with the pain for a few days, I wouldn't take the pills either because that will be something else you are trying to quit at the end of the month. - you should just stop everything cold turkey. The last cup of coffee I had was this past Friday. I had a headache Saturday and Sunday and a little one today (each day my head hurt less than the day before). You can do it :)!
Listen to classical music while working (it has helped me)
Billy says
re: Caffeine Usage,...
LOL,... isn't it funny the way we outlaw Marijuana, but not caffeine? Much too productive of a drug. I too am a caffeine junkie, have been for about 12 years (age 30) I usually drink about two single shot Latte's a day. I've read some of the posts on this thread and am amazed how drastic with the withdrawel symptoms are. If I go without any caffeine, I usually experience only boredom, lethargia, and a little depression. In fact, by mid day I usually feel much more calm and relaxed, and by the end of the day I don't have any 'burn-out' symptoms that caffeine always gives me, usually ending in more end-of-day energy! I must say that over the last few years, I think I have developed a bit of an allergy to caffeine. It gives me the sneezes, head pressure, scattered thinking, and pretty bad anxiety/panic now. Yet still, every morning, the hissing sound of my espresso machine can be heard throughout my Condo.
Damn you Caffeine! Sweet elixar!
User says
re: Few (Q's)
Hey I've just read your information and I smoke a lot, and smoke cannabis a lot, now I've been to a GP today doctor to ask why my breathing is bad and if this is to do with smoking and basically this doctor I've never met such a so and so, it was pointless he didn't tell me anything... the only thing he said was go buy these pills... amoxicillin Capsules, basically he said I'm not Hyperventilating, but I must be I have to think to breathe when I go to sleep I scared of going to sleep because off this reason and basically I'm bringing up a lot of flem, the colour is light, with bits off brown in and this is virtually every morning I cough lots I feel I can't breathe, my breathing altogether is crap, basically I just want to know how you feel now you haven't smoked Cannabis and smoked for 7 days
?
Jase
Dave says
re: To the person that has no name.
First, I think you should know what Munchausen's syndrome is before rambling it off. My helping others in here that were scared to death about palpitations and their trips to the ER was for encouragement and a help in pinpointing what causes their palpitations in the first place. I seriously doubt that you suffer from that problem and that is why you resorted to giving your uneducated opinion. Palpitations can be serious in some individuals and you should have known that Dr. Munchausen or whatever your name that were afraid to share with the rest. Maybe you should consider others in here that might be eating dinner having a great time when all of a sudden their heart starts beating weird. Why shouldn't they fear it when in some individuals, it can cause clotting in the heart and in rare cases the heart can stop beating altogether?? For some this was a new experience and they wanted to know what the hell was going on and how to stop it. I don't think they want advice from a know-it-all that obviously knows nothing.
Anyways, I think that the word you were looking for was Hypochondriac and not Munchausens syndrome. Even then you would still be wrong because palpitations actually happen with these people and not that they simply believe that they have a condition. I sure hope that you get a good case of it and that way I can say "You might have Munchausen's syndrome" when your heart doesn't beat right. Anyways, thanks for the laugh!
User says
re: I quit drinking coffee cold
I quit drinking coffee cold turkey (had a 3-4 cup/day habit x 15 years) *because* of a bad heart palpitation episode that's still happening. It started four days ago following a hangover after a party where I consumed too much alcohol. The alcohol consumption was probably the trigger, but since caffeine had caused shorter episodes of the palps in the past I decided to quit coffee cold turkey (as well as swear off more than 1 or 2 alcoholic beverages per week).
I'm now 4 days without caffeine. Still having the palps, though they're gradually decreasing. I'm not having bad headaches, but more a sense of pressure on my temples and in my ears making me feel like I want to sleep all the time. The pain I AM experiencing is in the back of my neck and upper back, though I have no idea if it's related.
The benefits, if you could call it that, to the palpitations is that they naturally make me not want coffee. But I'm wondering when this feeling of extreme fatigue is going to go away.
User says
re: Caffeine Withdrawal?
I'm a middle aged male (43) who would drink a large Dunkin Donuts coffee every morning along with a diet Sundrop (50-60 mg caffeine). I would also drink 3-5 diet Sundrops in the evening up until midnight. I made the mistake a week ago of taking two Sudafed at bedtime and did not sleep at all that night. I stayed home from work the next day and took a tylenol PM and slept 3-4 hours. Since then I have had practically no caffeine (i'm on day 4 roughly). I have been feeling terrible and have had heart palpatations at night, waking up throughout the night, depression, feelings of "what is wrong with me" or "am I having heart/circulatory problems", no desire to do much, dry mouth, and some diarehha. I'm on day 4 or so without practically any caffeine and I sure wish I would get back to feeling well. Thank the Lord I have a wife and kids to support me and comfort me.
User says
re: I think you might have
I think you might have Munchausen's syndrome. Put down the journal, get outside and live life, bro. You've got more important things to worry about than which fricken side you sleep on.
User says
re: reply to "Oh my gosh... I'm on day one..."
So I just got off thermogenics [fat burners] (caffeiene is one of the main ingredients so there is going to be a large amount in each pill) and each serving is equivalent to 4 cups of coffee, so I was technically drinking like 8 cups of coffee for about 10 months if not longer. I feel your pain! Well I took 3 Bayer pills today with a can of coke (it was the only source of caffeine I could get my hands on)which was one of the and I'm feeling a lot better now. I vomitted twice today and with the headache..boy, I thought my head was going to explode. On the Bayer bottle it said to take 2 pills every 4 hours or 3 pills every 6 hours. I think it's a bad idea going cold turkey, if u just reduce ur intake I think u might feel better. Good Luck!
User says
re: Oh my gosh... I'm on day
Oh my gosh... I'm on day one... this freaking sucks. I've had a migrane like headache all day, and i can't get the pain to subside, even with a pop. Anyone who can give me some advice it would really be appreciated. I have had nausea all day also. I have thrown up twice... is this really worth it???
User says
re: Pectus Excavatum
This might be interesting to you. If you are tall and skinny, wear glasses and (not necessarily) have a caved in chest. For a moment I thaught you wrote about me 🙂
nancybr1 says
re: caffine/ coffee withdrawel
I have been a caffeine user for almost 19 years. I have tried to quit on and off for the past few years. The withdrawal symptoms are absolutely so horrible I never end up sticking to it. I think I have a sensitivity to caffeine anyway so I don't think it makes things any better. It is comforting to hear that I am not alone in experienceing the terrible withdrawals. I get so deeply depressed, severe fatigue, social anxiety and withdrawal, headaches, body aches- it's completely unbearable. Once I get my "fix" I feel normal again. I must get off this drug!!! I also have a severe addiction to dark chocolate. I must have it on a daily basis- not just a little but a large amount- I have bought a bag of dark chocolate chips and have eaten the whole bag in 2 days, along with a few cups of strong starbucks coffee.
I have decided I cannot live like this anymore and I must break this addiction. Now my larger caffeine intake is causing side effects also. Starting 5 days ago I decided to quit cold turkey- no chocolate, no coffee. BUT, I decided to take Excedrin Migraine(which contains acetaminophen, aspirin and of course caffeine) - the allowed daily dose contains 130 mg of caffeine, 500 mg, aspirin, and 500 acetaminophen. So I am basically down to 130 mg a day of caffeine which is helping with the withdrawal symptoms. I do feel much better than I did, but the problems I am experiencing are severe headaches in the night and early morning and also body aches. I don't know if this is a safe way to try to withdraw or not. I also don't know how safe it is to regularly take this medicine if I normally don't have migraines.
Does anyone know anything about this? I am hopeing to cut my pills in half and then in about a month be off of them completely.
thanks!
User says
re: Severe Nausea part of caffeine withdrawal?
I have been a RedBull addict for a while. Drinking about 4 a day during the week and 2 to 3 each day on the weekends. That means I go through 1 case a week. (They love me at Costco!) I am traveling in Japan and have been unable to locate any redbull. I tried drinking coffee here but it is very strong and I dont like coffee anyway. I have been getting cold sweats and anxiety attacks mostly when I am trying to rest. Everytime I eat anything, within 30 min or so I end up vomiting. Is this part of caffeine withdrawal?
I have only gone for 1 day at a time without caffeine in the past and mostly got a cloudy head feeling and bad headaches. I have now gone 5 days with maybe 1 can of coke a day. The nausea started after 2 days and has not stopped. I was thinking it was the food here but I have been eating very carefully and am very knowledgeable about Japanese food and the ingredients.
User says
re: day 14 no coffee , amazed at
day 14 no coffee , amazed at how much I'am effected by this drug.
I'am a light social drinker and the day after no effects and I'm feeling normal and connected with the world.
Not with caffeine . Headaches , palpatations , drowsyness , nervous one moment , dopy the next.And disconnected.I've had it with this poison.
The things that bring temporary relief I have found are eating a protein meal , stretching , taking a walk.
when I'am finally free of this stuff I'am going to post back.
User says
re: 14 days without coffee and
14 days without coffee and I'am amazed at how powerful a drug caffeine is.
I'am a light social drinker and the day after I feel normal and connected with the world.Not so with caffeine.I'am still feeling distant , mildly depressed and dumb lol! On the positive side relaxed and calm and people are friendlier than ever towards me.I don't know maybe as heavy caffeine addicts we were giving off aggression without knowing it.
Anyway less and less drowsy each day , no desire for coffee , just waiting for my energy , focus and smarts to come back.
one thing I know that has helped is upping my protein content to help the brain/body heal.Always feel better after a protein meal.
tanya says
re: can coffee really be this hard to kick???
hi, this is my story in a nutshell. l have a pre-existing disorder with anxiety and was doing really well( almost 2 years without a panic attack), but a month ago l have a severe hot flush go threw me so l ended up in outpatients, had all tests done and it all came back clear. so the next day l decided to give up coffee cold turkey (about 8 cups of esspresso) a day. Problem was that l didn't realise how bad it could be, so l went 4 days and then started sipping diet coke for a little caffeine just to take away some of the nausea. but since then l have still been left with alot of symptoms of coffee withdrawal that have lasted almost 3 weeks, l am wondering if it is still possible to have them for this long. l have cut back my intake to 2 instants in the morning but for the rest of the day l'm anxious, tired or wired, depressed, nausea, dirreah and a general feeling of crap that has completed changed the way l would normally go about my day to day life, and l'm wondering if it has triggered my anxiety or if it could be withdrawal that would pass? most people tell me l should be over the caffeine by now so l'm not sure. any feedback would be appreciated. tanya.
Dave says
re: Palpitations
I have had palpitations since I was a boy. I am 38 now and still have palpitations once in a while. The worst one was in 1991 when my heart kept skipping beats non-stop for at least 3 minutes. It was due to my lack of sleep and the amount of Mountain Dew that I was drinking.
I have tried to overcome this problem many times and started a journal to record when these palpitations happen and what I ate, how I slept and so on to figure out the cause.
1st of all, palpitations are scary but they are not deadly if that is your only symptom. If you are experiencing dizziness with your palpitation then you should see your doctor and see your doctor ASAP if you are fainting.
The biggest cause of my palpitations comes from low blood sugar problems. You might experience palpitations if you are stressed or tired and then you eat a huge filling meal. Eating a huge meal like pizza when you are tired from little sleep is almost a guaranteed way to have palpitations. If you go too long without food then you might experience palpitations until you get some food in you.
Limit the sugars (carbs too) in your diet because eating a high amount can cause a sugar crash in your blood stream and that can trigger your palpitations. Eat a small meal every 3 hours that is high in protein and has a good source of green vegetables with it.
These vitamins and minerals are also helpful in treating palpitations and these are exactly what I take:
1. L-Taurine (a big help)
2. Magnesium (I take 3 teaspoons daily of Philips of Magnesia---works fine for me and that low spread out dose does not cause a BM so don't worry). Make sure that you do not have kidney disease.
3. Potassium (Avocados are your best choice and not bananas).
4. Hawthorn can help tremendously too. Do not use if you have Bradycardia (slow pulse--under 60bpm).
5. Fish oil. Fish oil helps prevent irregular heart beats from becoming deadly.
6. Co-Q10 taken with a teaspoon or more of Olive Oil (cold pressed). Olive oil is a good fat that helps absorb vitamins much better.
Your blood pressure medicine if you are taking it can cause palpitations because beta blockers can cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). When you have palpitations then take your pulse. Is it very slow?? If it is then you might need some food quick. Is it fast?? Then practice some deep breathing exercises for 15 minutes. Try to get your breath to less than 7 breathes a minutes (deep inhale and slow exhale).
Do not over-sleep. Oversleeping can cause palpitations too. Some of you may notice that if you sleep crappy then you might have few palpitations throughout the day (not always). When you sleep too much then you probably experience many palpitations throughout the day. Learn how much sleep your body actually needs. Use a journal. If I get less than 6 hours then I might experience palpitations. If I get more than 8 hours then I will probably get palpitations. Go to bed at the same time every night also helps and get up when you feel rested and not over rested. Beware of long naps during the day. 1/2 hour naps do great for me.
Shallow breathing is something else that cause palpitations. The next time you experience a palpitation then stop right where you are at and start breathing deeply and slowly.
If you experience palpitations when you start to walk or get up then you might have low blood pressure. On days that you are totally exhausted, try not standing in one place too long. Rock a little and kick your feet around. I noticed that when I am exhausted and I talk to someone in one place for a while and then walk away suddenly will trigger a palpitation.
When you sleep, avoid sleeping on your left side. The left side is supposed to be great for digestion but for some reason it puts pressure on the heart and can cause palpitations later. Don't ask me why this is but if I were to lay on my left side then I can be sure that I will experience palpitations in the morning.
Basically, try eliminating the most common causes: caffeine, stress, poor sleep, fatigue (start exercising). If those don't work then examine if you have low blood sugar problems. If that doesn't help then try and see if you have Candida (yeast infection in your gut). More people have this problem and do not even know it. I did.
I have had palpitations for over 30 years and I am healthy and in shape today. Palpitations are scary and I don't think that I will ever not be afraid when they happen. They are creepy but they are not deadly either. For some reason, when they happen we tend to think that we are either experiencing a heart attack or that the palpitation will not stop and that we might need to see a doctor ASAP. None has ever happened and it never will. It is kind of like getting the wind knocked out of you where you think that you will not be able to get your breath back but deep down you know you will. The same is true with palpitations.
I hope my experience with palpitations has helped someone.
Jan from Florida says
re: Depression from Caffeine
My Doctor recommended taking a Vitamin called 5-HTP 50mg after super. It's very similar to St. Johns Wort. This jolts the serotonin, helps the depression, and controls your appetite. These can also be taken 3 times a day if needed up to 200mg. They work great! My headache was in the same spot every day on the top of my head, I was convinced I had a brain tumor they were so bad. Much better now.
geeceelaroo again says
re: I'm on day 18 now and
I'm on day 18 now and feeling mostly fine. My beloved beer may have to go by the wayside, too, though, since it sometimes seems to aggravate things. Kicking the caffeine was tough the first week or so, but since then, much better. I barely miss it -- except chocolate. I miss chocolate.
The toughest thing is telling yourself that you're going to be fine when you're having them. I suggest -- just cause it worked for me -- leaving the TV on while you try and get to sleep if they're bothering you. The noise gives you something else to focus on besides the thumping... after a couple of nights of TV and Nyquil, I stopped thinking about it.
User says
re: leg cramps
Sounds like you body is detoxing. A soothing remedy is salt-baths (epsom salt) and then lightly scrub your legs to get the blood circulating the toxins out of the cells in your leg muscles. Works well for me. Best of health to you!
User says
re: I, too, went cold turkey on
I, too, went cold turkey on giving up coffee/caffeine. (It's been five days now.) By the third day, I had such awful pain in my lower back and legs. It feels as though there's a heavy weight on my lower back and the pain radiates down my legs and into the joints. If I bend forward slightly, it feels as though my muscles are being pulled. The pain has kept me awake and the only thing that has helped has been Motrin. Heating pad provided some relief along with an ice pack. I've been to my chiropractor twice this week thinking that my herniated disk is the problem. However, I've honestly believed it was caffeine withdrawal. My chiropractor told me to wean myself off of caffeine because it'll be too much on my body to quit cold turkey. I experimented this AM and had a small cup of coffee and noticed that the pains subsided almost immediately. Having caffeine confirmed that my pains are due to withdrawal. I'm going to hang in there and not have caffeine and hope that all will clear out soon!! I'm glad I found this website because I now know that my pains are related to caffeine withdrawal. I'll be working on giving up Splenda next...
User says
re: caffeine withdraws and panic attacks
Out of all the testimonials I have read yours hit me as the one that best describes me. Thank you and I will get through this by Information and especially God.
RFguy says
re: My Withdrawal Story
I was very glad I found this site a couple weeks ago. It was nice to see that some other people were suffering from the same withdrawal symptoms that I had.
My wife and I decided to quit artificial sweeteners together. But since about 95% of our artificial sweeteners were from diet soda, quitting caffine went hand in hand.
We didn't really have a plan on how we were going to do it. It started with just skipping the normal morning coffee, lunch soda, and all the other soda we'd drink throughout the day. So, in the end we were shooting for quitting cold turkey.
She got the mind-splitting headaches, whereas I didn't. However, by Day 3, I started getting heart palpitations, chills and uncontrollable shaking. I was trying to get to bed and my heart was just racing. I was freezing no matter how many blankets I had and shaking incessantly.
I got out of bed and decided to try and watch some TV to get my mind off things. The heart palpitations/shakes/chills would come and go over the next 3-4 hours. By 5am I was exhausted enough to pass out for about 6 hours of sleep.
I was concerned that maybe there was something wrong with my heart. But my wife was pretty sure that since this only started when we stopped our caffeine intake, it was probably just withdrawal. To prove her point, I had a glass of caffeinated soda. Within an hour or so, most of my symptoms disappeared. So, at least I knew I wasn't putting myself at serious risk.
From that point onwards, no more caffeine. The chills, shakes, and heart palpitations continued for about 5 days (sometimes nausea too). Over time, I started to feel that the heart palpitations had more to do with anxiety than anything else. And the anxiety only really kicked in whenever I was trying to relax. This is a notion that other people posting here have made.
It made sleeping absolutely horrendous. My mind was focused on my heartbeat which only made things worse. It was a constant state of anxiety and "fight or flee" adrenaline.
After the fifth day (from my one glass of soda), the anxiety and heart palpitations have almost entirely ceased. I got the anxiety feeling about once per day for another three days. And still after that, I get it occasionally, but very rarely.
As for energy loss and the "always tired" feeling, I'm still coping. I'm trying to excercise daily (which I wasn't doing as much before) and I'm feeling a bit better. But, everyone is different.
One important thing: don't forget that you have to replace all the coffee/soda/etc that you used to drink with something else. I think I was starting to dehydrate because instead of reaching for soda like I used to, I was reaching for nothing. Personally, I replaced all the soda I was drinking with a combination of lemon-lime (or unflavored) seltzer and filtered water. I thought I'd never get used to it, but I think I already am.
Best of luck
User says
re: Leg Cramps
My leg cramps are unbearable. Is this normal? The only time they don't hurt is when I am walking or standing.
scared so bad says
re: fixing to quit with question
im fixing to quit drinking coffee and about 5 dr.pepper cans a day cold turkey.oh boy!i was just wondering if sprite was really as caffeine free as they say it is.i have a few lumps in my breast that are probably caused from all the caffeine i've been drinking for over 20 years.any advice on my quest.and good luck with yours.
Ville says
re: Back ache and leg ache
I found this page ad i tried to find if pains in my back and legs were from quitting coffee. I had to quit coffee as my belly could not handle it. It has been easy so far.
Pains have been really disturbing. I cant find a position to feel confortable in. I find in hard to sit, sleep, stand, walk. The pain demands my attention all the time. The pain came on day 3 and now I an in the 6th day.
Good things I have noticed:
- relaxed feeling
- i am no more that aggressive, i used to get aroused to quarrel easily
- i noticed how nice it is just to walk about and enjoy nature
- no hurry anymore. I seem to find easier time to play around with my children. (i used to have a hurry to do somethin before, what?)
- i find I burst into laugh with my children much more than before.
- my thoughts wander around and bump into new paths. Under caffeine I was more like "strainght through the wall"
I just hope this ache would end soon.
User says
re: something to help with palpitations
i am an old coffee addict, and now recovering from another bout with it. i' ve HAD it with the coffee/tea stimulants. it always takes me about two weeks to feel better. right now i feel awful. i can't think, my head feels heavy, i have zero energy, it's awful!! BUT i do know how to get over the palpitations. pls. try liquid minerals, plant life minerals. they are rich with over 64 or 90 (depending on what company you buy from) of plant life minerals that will definitely help with the palpitations. also, you can try taking larger than usual doses of magnesium. perhaps a combination of calcium magnesium, where the balance of magnesium is greater than the calcium. magnesium helps heart function and can relax the muscle...GOOD LUCK!!!!
User says
re: I get some 0f the withdrawal symptoms imbibing too much coffee
I've been a heavy coffee drinker for years. I mostly get the headaches (about 24 hours after I stop) which last a day or two, but not much more than that.
I've noticed some people commenting that they have achy bodies when going through withdrawal. I seem to have the opposite symptoms? I've had excruciating body aches sometimes for days on end. Also chronic joint aches that last for months. But I've noticed now, 3 different times when I was forced to stop my coffee drinking, that these aches disappeared. what I thought was a middle age problem (body aches), I'm now beginning to suspect is due to my excessive caffeine intake. Has anyone else had these body ache problems when they were ON caffeine?
User says
re: Mine are in the front behind
Mine are in the front behind my right eye.