This is not medical advice. If you believe you are at risk, please seek immediate medical attention. Poison control: https://www.poison.org/
Is there a way to reduce the quantity of caffeine on your body, like a caffeine antidote?
For example, if you take an espresso or a certain amount of coffee to keep you awake (for finish a work or study), but then you realize that you don't need to be awake all night, is there something that counteracts caffeine's effects (food or drink for example) on your body?
I've searched in your FAQ, but didn't find anything.
Thanks in advance, Tiago Portugal
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How to get caffeine out of your system
The best answer is: time and planning.
Setting a time limit on caffeine consumption (such as last drink by 4 PM) can help to ensure you're mostly free of caffeine's effects by bed time. You should also plan you
A healthy adult's half life for caffeine is approximately 5.7 hours (see: NIH).
If you take an average 1.5 oz espresso made from 7 g of espresso beans that contains 77 mg of caffeine at 8 PM, you would still have almost 40 mg in your body by 2 AM!
Yikes.
Studies on rats suggest that a chemical known as Rutaecarpine may increase the rate at which caffeine is metabolized, in rats. While this is yet to be studied in humans, herbal supplements have popped up on the market containing Rutaecarpine that people can take at their own risk.
Anything you're consuming is going to take time to counteract the effect of caffeine however, and will not provide immediate relief. While there have been very few cases of caffeine causing death (most are related to alcohol, or caffeine exasperating other conditions), you should go to the emergency room if you feel you may be in serious danger.
Regular overdoing it with your caffeine consumption can lead to nasty withdrawal symptoms - this can be avoided by avoiding regular high doses of caffeine in the first place.
Nicotine as a remedy
Smoking (nicotine) has been shown to increase the metabolism of caffeine (source) from about 6 hours down to 3.5 hours, clearing it out of your system faster. It makes it an "antidote" in a very loose way.
This however, introduces nicotine into your body, which is another stimulant, and is just terribly unhealthy.
Garlic as a remedy
There are no known methods by which garlic can help counteract having too much caffeine. This is an old wive's tale.
Bananas as a remedy
Similar to Garlic, there is nothing in Bananas that is known to counteract caffeine. Bananas are known to be a good source of potassium, so if you're experiencing cramps due to dehydration from caffeine's diuretic effects, they may help alleviate cramping symptoms.
Drink Water!
Being dehydrated can increase the negative effects of caffeine - jitters, headache, increased heart rate. These are all signs your body is in distress and can work to multiply the bad reaction.
It's important not to overdo it though, over-hydration can lead to increase blood pressure (among other problems), which can just compound the effect of a raised blood pressure from caffeine.
A little planning
Ultimately, you're best off planning your hard work earlier in the day rather than relying on caffeine to keep you up. If you absolutely need to have something done for the next day, it's better to sleep now and wake up early, have that loving cup of coffee to get you alert, and get the work done early in the morning.
See other tips on how to cut your caffeine intake.
Additional reading: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK223808/
Anonymous says
re: WOW
Marijuana is not a depressant! Please do your research before posting. Take 2,000 to 2,500 of GABA on days of high caffeine consumption with about 400-800mg of Magnessium, a ZMA or Calcium/Magnessium/Vit. D combo would also work.
Anonymous says
re: Um...
...Are you sure it worked?
Anonymous says
re: Everything has a half-life
Every medication, prescription or over-the-counter, has a half-life. Any substance you put in your body has a time that it takes your body to eliminate half of it. I am a nurse and we talk about the half-life of meds all the time, and 99.99999% of them are not radioactive.
Daniel says
re: RE: Doesn't tea have caffeine in it?
If it is tea yes. By tea I mane leaves and buds from the Camellia sinensis plant. Herbal tea usually does not contain caffeine but any real tea will have some caffein. Black tea has the most. White tea has the least and green tea is somewhere in the middle.
Anonymous says
re: Facts or assumptions?
It's been scientifically demonstrated that marijuana use does not kill brain cells. It's also been scientifically demonstrated that after a certain age (which you've most likely passed) you lose thousands of brain cells every day. Killing a brain cell isn't a serious thing, but marijuana doesn't do that in the first place. I think you're confusing facts with assumptions.
Anonymous says
re: yes and no
some tea has caffine in it but not all of them do only teas like aged earl grey or breakfast teas have caffiene in them infact most teas are calming
Anonymous says
re: caffeine antidote REALLY WORKED FOR ME!!!
This worked AMAZINGLY well for me! I took 3 CALCIUM-MAGNESIUM-CITRATE capsules, drank a bottle of spring water, and felt super calm and relaxed within 5-10 minutes! I've NEVER found anything before that worked so fast and so easily! Each capsule had 1,000mg of Calcium, 500 mg of Magnesium, and 400 IU of Vitamin D. I don't know if the 1500mg of Magnesium was what did the trick, or if the other ingredients helped as well, but I am SO HAPPY right now to feel SO SUPER CALM. Thanks a million for this excellent caffeine antidote!!!
Anonymous says
re: Science
So I think the real argument here, stems from the science of stimulants versus depressants. OF the above mentioned alcohol, sleeping pills and marijuana are depressants. Both caffeine and nicotine are stimulants. Except that caffeine and nicotine have different chemical properties. Nicotine works directly on the nociceptors and dopamine receptors in the brain causing a calming affect. The actual jittering effects of the nicotine could be calmed simply by affecting the "pleasure" stimulation of the dopamine receptors in the brain. On the other hand the depressants would make sense that they help counteract caffeine because one is an upper and one is a downer in the simplest sense. A stimulant can be countered by a depressant. Simple science really.
Now the other argument that I am understanding is one about actual recommendations for taking this advise. Of course it would not be advisable to do or start something that is habit forming. But people do idiotic things every day without rhyme or reason.
Simply stated in science: It is understandable that the above recommendations would have the possibility to work. Recommendations aside, that is for any one person to decide.
Anonymous says
re: Your retarted
Pot has never killed any brain cells. I smoke pot and it helps me go to sleep. Also helps with my asthma and sleep apnea. I dont wake up gasping for air anymore like I used to and dont recieve any attacks. And when I dont smoke I dont get any side effects. If you state your addicted to it your mentally weak. I stopped just to prove I could and had no desire at all to smoke one. It's all mental. I just dont understand how you think coffee is good but pot which has never killed anyone is bad.
Anonymous says
re: wow
half life does not only apply to radioactive substances.....u looked absolutely ridiculous with this comment.
Anonymous says
re: Smoking Pot?
Ok I have insomnia and was prescribed by my doctor a benzodiazepine medication as a sleep aid. I do know the risks involved that one can form a dependency and may have the potential of becoming addicted to this type of medication but it is being monitored and prescribed by a licensed physician. I was told by a friend maybe I should try pot but I declined. I am already having a hard time dealing with getting over one addiction and don't want add another. I have to admit that I am scared about taking the sleeping medication that was prescribed but with no sleep, the benefits out way the risks. But when it comes to pot, it is illegal and enough said. Yes, there maybe so called quick fixes out there to try and get over the caffeine withdrawals but we need to think about the potential harm that these drugs could do to our bodies. If you are not sleeping because of caffeine withdrawals, I would strongly advise you to seek professional medical help. Sleep deprivation in the long run can cause you more anxiety and harm to your body which will make the healing process of caffeine withdrawals seem never ending.
Anonymous says
re: caffeine
Try Citric Acid
Anonymous says
re: Pot is more harmful
while both caffeine and pot produce negative to a human body, i think pot's effect is more serious. caffeine will cause withdrawal symptoms but once you quite, all the effects will be gone. however, pot actually kill your brain cells. and especially if you are a heavy pot smoker, your brain will never work the same ever again even after you quite. i think caffeine have a worst short term effect while pot has a worst and a more serious long term effect on a human body.
Anonymous says
re: finally
Yes, all these other things will only reduce your symptoms (and I'm not saying any of them will) but the caffeine will still be in your system until it is converted and eventually excreted.
Anonymous says
re: correction
I agree with your post, except pot and the other drugs you listed are all schedule 1.
Anonymous says
re: your pot is laced
You can not become physiologically addicted to pot, only dependent psychologically. As of date, no research study has found evidence of THC addiction. There is no physiological change at the synaptic level of the chemical pathway for THC. However, it has been shown that prolonged use of THC (smoking pot) does have a permanent effect on mental capacity, which is what you may be suffering from.
Anonymous says
re: They say it does but it
They say it does but it doesn't give me the rush that coffee or even a single soda does...not matter how much tea I drink!
Anonymous says
re: Doesn't tea have caffeine in it?
A Lot of this is very useful, but I thought tea had caffeine in it? Wouldn't drinking tea be counter productive?
Anonymous says
re: Running On Caffeine
Be careful in having a lot of a stimulant drug in your system while exercising. It is very easy to get dehydrated and it could put strain on your heart, as well.
Anonymous says
re: I care to disagree
studies show that pot can be addictive; but since THC stays in your system from 3-90 days depending on use frequency, pot smokers don't experince any withdraw symptoms, because THC will continue to slowly release in your brain. So this drug is actually kind to it's users, but also if you don't have caffine after drinking coffee or whatever for a while, you will be irritated, fatigued, and will surely have mood swings. Not saying anybody should smoke pot, but it is considerably less harmful than caffeine. I don't smoke pot, so this not bias, just facts. Another fact is that a person would have to drink 80-100 cups of coffee in 4.9 hours to die, oppose to smoking 1500 pounds of pot in 14 minutes to die. My advice don't try either, but if your doing both drop the caffeine. It can have very serious side effects, research it if you don't believe me. I don't want to tell you cause I'm not trying to scare anybody.
Anonymous says
re: User! I love herb just as much as you but don't be naive
everything in moderation... I'm addicted to pot because i smoke too much! There goes your history theory!! Pot is definitely addictive mainly pychological though it can actually have physical withdrawal symptoms to some degree... I think ALL daily pot smokers will agree. If I don't smoke, for instance , when I have my first meal of the day, I can only have a few bites before I get nausea and even though I am still hungry I really have trouble eating unless I have smoked first... Furthermore, Any habitual toker must admit that not smoking for a day or too definitely alters my mood in a negative way. In particular I have zero patience and am quick to get irritable. Insomnia also is a problem the first few days. However, on the other side of that coin, if I can just make it past the first 3-5 days virtually all these withdrawal symptoms disappear and its much easier after that. If you allow yourself to fall into a daily habit then you too will feel these effects. But unlike most all other narcotics kicking the habit is wayyyy easier.
Caffeine is defiantly more addictive than herb, my uncle for instance, experiences all the same symptoms I do if he doesn't drink his morning cup of coffee; he'll get a bad headache, very irritable, trouble eating... And it wont be nearly as easy as waiting it out for a few days to get back to normal... however once you get into the lifestyle of loving herb it super hard not to keep on loving it!! even when i dont smoke for 2 or 3 months I always have times when I would just love to roll one up and kick it! it'll be like that for the rest of my life!! when i was in the service i didn't smoke for 4 years! and the day after i got discharged you know I was toking that chronic smoke! hence phycological addiction
so long story short, ya if you drank waay too much coffee and your heart is gonna burst out of your chest, take a little toke if you don't have a penchant for smoking too much or if its not a problem if you do. Just be careful to have a little knowledge on the strain of weed you smoke, some sativas and indeed some Indicas will actually make your heart beat faster, but you definitly will get tired after and be able to sleep better in an hour or so...
User... if you really believe what you wrote, then your ignorant...
don't hate, appreciate!
Anonymous says
re: hahah your a pot addict???
no
hahah your a pot addict???
no body in the history of pot has ever considered themselves as a pot addict!
its no PCP its not crack, altho it is a schedule 3 drug in America, which puts it up there with heroin, morphine and Meth.. but i digress...
your an idiot
Anonymous says
re: the best ways to stop
the best ways to stop caffeine is to start smoking, are you kidding me?
Anonymous says
re: mmm
I smoke Pot and is the worst mistake ive had, i wish i was a doctor or something, instead Im a Pot addict, whoever says good things about Pot is full of crap. Stop now while you still can
Anonymous says
re: if ur in the right mental
if ur in the right mental state one cigarette will not lead to a lifetime habit and im livin proof right now that aone cig helps dirastically dont believe me try it urself im not lying im serious
Anonymous says
re: Reply to smokingpost comment
I totally agree that pot is way less harmful than caffeine is. Pot is non-addictive, while you actually have to withdraw from caffeine. Just look at the bad side effects of caffeine:severe panic attacks, dizziness, severe fatigue, body feeling like a lead weight, digestive problems, sleeplessness ,etc.... So, lets see a nice calming "drug"(which it is not in my book....have you heard anyone dying from smoking pot?!) compared to a drug that affects you body so much that you withdraw like an ex coke addict. So...point being do you research...and smole a joint it will totally chill you out and no withdrawal! 🙂
Anonymous says
re: haha
i'm pretty sure this is something we learn in middle school too
Anonymous says
re: Coffee comments
Thanks for all the comments! some were really funny!
Anonymous says
re: Ha-ha-ha
You people are funny. Why can a pot-smoking lifetime habit be bad, but a coffee-drinking lifetime habit is ok? Is that double standards or what? Besides, there is little harm from pot, it actually is used as a Medicine; however, coffee obviously has some serious side effects, to which this very page is an evidence. So check your own belief system, baby, before next time you think that you are smarter than others.
Adios!
Anonymous says
re: really
you think smoking pot once to reduce the effect of caffeine will kill you. obviously you've never smoked pot before.
Anonymous says
re: Lets Stop the Tolerance Garabage
Telling people to use harmful methods is never appropriate. Smoking cigarettes or pot can easily lead to a lifetime habit than can kill. Keep the advice to what is health and real.
Anonymous says
re: Research before you post
Biological half-life...did you go to high school?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caffeine#Metabolism_and_half-life
Anonymous says
re: you're an idiot
caffeine is not radioactive, so it does not have a half life. nice try.
Anonymous says
re: Caffeine "Antidote" Tried
Here is an unofficial experiment. I am very sensitive to caffeine but I have two exams and a presentation next week so I was falling asleep studying and to force myself to stay awake I used 4 cups of high caffeine Black Nepal and Green tea mixed. About an hour later I felt my heart racing and felt like I would die giving me anxiety. I searched and found this site and tried the following advised remedies and with 5-10 minutes was feeling much better.
1. Took a magnesium supplement
2. Drank 2 glasses of spring water
3. Ate an egg sandwich with 2 ounces of melted cheese on top, 1 slice of canadian bacon (optional) on an english muffin.
I still don't feel tired and my heart is still a little jumpy but I immediately (5-10 min. felt myself calm down)
Anonymous says
re: Foods with Melatonin
Purslane has the most melatonin and it is buffeted with omega 3 healthful oil.
Get it at a well stocked produce section which caters to Mexicans.
Eat some toast with smoked salmon on top, and keep your heart lubed
so that it is not jittery from the knocks of the caffeine.
There are no chemical isomers of caffeine : no teaine from tea, mateine from yerba mate, etc.
The structure forbids it. Caffeine is caffeine.
Anonymous says
re: honesty is stupid?
That was not stupid. Factually it is correct. Smoking reduces the half life of caffiene. I don't think he was advising anyone to do those things, just answering the question.
Relax.
Anonymous says
re: When I had caffeine
Have you tried chamomile tea? I would think that would work also.
Anonymous says
re: Programmable
You are programmable, I make my own decisions. I still don't see how this shows that caffeine will cause the demise of thousands. Smoking is bad. I get it.
Anonymous says
re: Caffeine vs. Nicotine
Caffeine is nothing like smoking in the health effects it produces. Smoking causes nearly 5 million deaths annually worldwide, and smoking increases your chance of a heart attack 2 to 4 times. Caffeine in normal doses can actually have a protective benefit on the heart, and decreases your chance of developing diabetes. I could not find annual caffeine death statistics aside from a few megadoses cases where amounts were taken 17x and above the overdose range of 300mg. This means the death by caffeine would range in a total consumption of 5g of caffeine. Although this depends on you weight and size. Your hatred of big business clearly show why caffeine is so bad. Thank you for enlightening me. (I'm being fecetious) Please provide evidence as to why you believe this, because frankly, what you believe is wrong.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15935584 (smoking deaths)
http://www.energyfiend.com/death-by-caffeine (I would have to drink 170 cans of red bull to kill myself)
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4726 (smoking 2 to 4x)
http://www.medicinenet.com/caffeine/page4.htm#heart (protective benefit to the heart)
Anonymous says
re: Oops
I mean smoking still is dangerous but they used to tell us it made us sexy, instead of telling us it makes you stink, will steal all your money and will kill you, slowly, in the most vile ways imaginable. How programable are we? Hugely.
Anonymous says
re: Caffeine is dangerous
I believe caffeine is like smoking used to be - deadly. But it's a multmillion dollar or multibillion I should say, industry and they arn't going to tell us. Caffeine can give you panic attacks and anyone who suffers from anxiety should stop ALL caffeine. Do it gradually though as, if you consume a lot, the withdrawal can just about kill you, literally.
Anonymous says
re: Don't throw up
It's too late to throw up about 5 mins after you've ingested it. Caffeine gets into your blood stream REALLY quickly. Take some of the other (sensible) advice.
Anonymous says
re: Seriously
How stupid are you? Advising anyone to smoke, drink, smoke dope and take sleeping tablets.
Water, vitamin C and melatonin (a natural hormone you can get at a drug store) are all good.
Anonymous says
re: Heavy food
I find just eating some heavy food helps. It is common to have a coffee after heavy food to wake oneself up. It makes sense, then, that heavy food should counteract the feeling of too much caffeine.
Anonymous says
re: Caffeine 'antidotes'
A way to really reduce the amount of caffeine in your body: smoking cigarettes. The half life of caffeine will be lowered by 50% (so caffeine leaves your body twice as fast). Of course this isn't a reason to pick up smoking! Drinking a few glasses of water and taking a high dose of vitamin C (> 1000 mg) may also speed up the breakdown a bit. Another way to counteract the effects of caffeine: valerian and melatonin are natural and side effect-free ways to induce sleep. There is a big array of herbs you can take for this reason, and stronger sedatives will also work which can be dangerous so know what you are doing! Always check if there are side effects and look if it is worth any of the possible side effects. Alcohol may also help but use your common sense if it's worth the hangover and don't mix with other sleep-inducing substances. Don't use alcohol with a big caffeine overdose: alcohol is a diuretic too so you may end up going to the toilet every 10 minutes and be at risk of dehydration. You can smoke some pot too but don't get into legal trouble, that's may cost you more nights of sleep than your caffeine overdose. The best way to get a decent sleep is of course just not taking too much caffeine a few hours before your intention to sleep!
User says
re: That works.
What also works
That works.
What also works is to sweat it out, pee it out, or throw it up.
So, drink a lot of water, and run. You'll get it out very quickly this way.
that_fiend says
re: just pop a magnesium
just pop a magnesium supplement...works really well..
Annica says
re: Caffeine 'antidote'
I'm caffeine sensitive and have found that if I, for example, get regular coffee instead of decaf at the coffee shop, a glass of milk, a raw carrot (chew well) and at least 600ml water settles the jitters and lightheadedness in about 30 minutes. During that time I prefer to go for a brisk walk or jog. DO NOT eat anything sweet, including fruits, as this will make it worse.
Adfcom says
re: When i had caffeine
When i had caffeine poisoning from "chefir"(extremely strong tea) and the psychosis started i went to doc and i was told to drink lots of peppermint tea to get the caffeine out of the body.
Daniel says
re: Elvis
Time is the only thing that will reduce the amount of caffeine in your system. You could conceivably take something with an opposite effect that would make you sleepy but then you might be called Elvis.