What Are The Side Effects Of Caffeine Withdrawal

How To Deal With Caffeine Withdrawal Symptoms

As suggested in many studies, the best way to cope and deal with withdrawal symptoms is to gradually quit caffeine. It is recommended to gradually reduce the amount of caffeine by 10% on a bi-weekly basis. The purpose of doing this is to avoid the very noticeable and significant withdrawal symptoms.

You can also shift to decaffeinated drinks. It is said that consumption of decaffeinated drinks reduces the withdrawal symptoms and even curbs cravings.

The most important and effective way of dealing with withdrawal symptoms is to be well-rested. People normally consume caffeine when they havent slept well or are extremely tired. If a person is well-rested, he/she might be able to keep most of the withdrawal symptoms under control.

Caffeine Withdrawal Recognized As A Disorder

Johns Hopkins MedicineSeptember 29, 2004

CAFFEINE WITHDRAWAL RECOGNIZED AS A DISORDER

If you missed your morning coffee and now you have a headache and difficulty concentrating, you might be able to blame it on caffeine withdrawal.; In general, the more caffeine consumed, the more severe withdrawal symptoms are likely to be, but as little as one standard cup of coffee a day can produce caffeine addiction, according to a Johns Hopkins study that reviewed over 170 years of caffeine withdrawal research.;

Results of the Johns Hopkins study should result in caffeine withdrawal being included in the next edition of the DSM or theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, considered the bible of mental disorders, and the diagnosis should be updated in the World Health Organization’s ICD, orThe International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems.

“Caffeine is the world’s most commonly used stimulant, and it’s cheap and readily available so people can maintain their use of caffeine quite easily,” says Roland Griffiths, Ph.D., professor of psychiatry and neuroscience at Johns Hopkins.; “The latest research demonstrates, however, that when people don’t get their usual dose they can suffer a range of withdrawal symptoms, including headache, fatigue, difficulty concentrating.; They may even feel like they have the flu with nausea and muscle pain.”

The study was funded in part by the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

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How To Manage Caffeine Withdrawal Symptoms

When caffeine withdrawal symptoms occur, the severity varies from mild to extreme. In a worst case scenario, withdrawal can produce clinically substantial distress or impairment in performing daily tasks, and on rare occasions, be completely incapacitating.

The obvious solution to reducing withdrawal symptoms is to consume more caffeine. But this solution is only rational if you discontinued your caffeine intake for an easily changeable reason, like trying out a new beverage instead of the usual coffee, or running out of coffee before you can get more.

But if you intentionally cut back or discontinue your caffeine consumption, you can reduce the severity of some of the withdrawal symptoms by reducing the amount of coffee in your diet gradually.

A good number of people who make the decision to overcome an addiction or stop a bad habit tend to use the cold turkey method where they drop the habit suddenly. The problem with this technique for caffeine elimination is that it worsens the symptoms considerably.

Here are some examples:

• If you get your caffeine from coffee, you can reduce your intake by half a cup a day, or by drinking a blend of decaf and regular coffee, or by slowly switching to decaf.
• For tea lovers, you can gradually reduce your intake, start drinking decaf teas or try teas with minimal caffeine levels
• If you like colas, consider drinking smaller sizes or gradually scaling back on the number you consume every day

You should also consider:

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Signs Of A Caffeine Addiction

Rather than going by the actual amount of Caffeine consumed per day, Caffeine addiction is discerned by the way that the substance affects an individuals day-to-day functioning. The severity of the addiction is calculated based on how distressed someone feels when they want Caffeine and cant get it and how much of a disruption this causes in their daily life.

The fifth;edition of the;Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders does not recognize Caffeine addiction as a SUD, but it does recognize it as a condition for future study. According to the DSM-5, problematic Caffeine consumption is characterized by at least three of the following criteria:

• A persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control Caffeine use
• Continued Caffeine use despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is likely to have been caused or exacerbated by Caffeine
• Withdrawal, as manifested by either of the following:
• The characteristic withdrawal syndrome for Caffeine
• Caffeine is taken to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms

You Could Feel Calmer

If too much caffeine has ever left you squirming in your chair or jiggling your leg, its time to say goodbye to your double espresso shots. Since caffeine is a stimulant, it naturally raises levels of adrenaline and stress hormones in your body.;Ditching caffeine will make you feel less stressed and anxious.

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Top 15 Caffeine Withdrawal Symptoms

Need help reducing caffeine ?

How Do I Avoid Caffeine Withdrawal Symptoms

If you have ever gone through withdrawal symptoms from quitting caffeine, you will know how miserable it feels.

Caffeine affects the central nervous system and heart rate and helps to increase wakefulness; when we stop drinking coffee, our body craves more because it’s no longer getting its regular dose of caffeine. Its the bodys way of reacting to the loss of daily caffeine intake.

There is no set amount of coffee that can be consumed before experiencing these symptoms, but many doctors recommend not drinking more than 400mg of caffeine per day

The good news is that these side effects go away after about 1 week without consuming any caffeine whatsoever.

However, if youre finding the withdrawal symptoms are not subsiding, you may consider tapering or weaning off.

It’s not easy to quit caffeine- so here are some strategies for gradually weaning yourself off caffeine:

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I Quit Caffeine: Heres What Happened

Are you looking to quit caffeine? Or even take a little break from that daily cup of coffee? Here is what you can expect.

Caffeine is the most widely used psychoactive substance in the world, which is why most people, including myself, struggle with a caffeine addiction. In everything from TV shows to books, caffeine is romanticized as this necessary drug that we all need to function as adults.

This post is all about how to quit caffeine.

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 , theobromine and theophylline .

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.

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Supplements For Caffeine Withdrawal

Theres little;scientific evidence that supplements can help with caffeine withdrawal, but here are some that are;anecdotally reported to be helpful:

• vitamin C and B complex

• minerals calcium, magnesium, potassium, and zinc

• amino acids tyrosine and DL-phenylalanine

A group of herbal remedies known as adaptogens may be useful for caffeine withdrawal.

Adaptogens mitigate the effects of stress while bringing the body into a state of balance simultaneously;calming and boosting energy without being overstimulating.

Some;adaptogens to consider are ginseng, ginger, ashwagandha, Bacopa monnieri, and;Rhodiola rosea.

All have been used for thousands of years and are well established as safe and effective.

Caffeine Addiction And Withdrawal: Take The Next Step

Caffeinated drinks in moderation offer many health benefits.

But for those who become addicted, the drawbacks usually outweigh the benefits.

Caffeine is the culprit behind several recognized psychiatric disorders.

It meets the criteria of an addictive substance: dependence, tolerance, and withdrawal.

It exacerbates stress and anxiety.

Caffeine can create a vicious cycle of feeling tired, needing more caffeine, and insomnia.

If you decide to give it up, you can ease the pain of caffeine withdrawal by weaning yourself gradually and taking appropriate self-care measures.

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Nausea And Stomach Upset

Another symptom of caffeine withdrawal is nausea. Some may just feel like they have an upset stomach while others will vomit.;

All these symptoms can happen as your digestive system expels the remaining caffeine in your system. Some may have symptoms for a month or longer, while others may have symptoms for just a few days.

Be sure to drink plenty of water and electrolytes to stay hydrated and to help settle your stomach. You may also take over-the-counter medications to relieve these symptoms, which sometimes come with headaches.

Should I Wean Off Caffeine Or Go Cold Turkey

This depends. Going cold turkey on caffeine or coffee would have a higher chance working on someone who has perhaps 1-2 cups per day over a short period. You may not have such severe withdrawal symptoms.

However if you have been drinking 5-8+ cups of coffee daily for over 10 years, this may be a lot harder for your body to cope with the absence of caffeine . In this case, slowly weaning or tapering off your normal coffee intake may be the sensible solution. This way your body can take it easy adjusting to the reduction of coffee without enduring the withdrawal symptoms.

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Caffeine Dependency And Withdrawal

Like many other drugs, its possible to build up a tolerance to caffeine. This means you become used to its effects on your body and need to take larger amounts to achieve the same results. Over time, you may become physically and psychologically dependent on caffeine to function effectively.;

If you are dependent on caffeine and you stop having it, you may experience withdrawal symptoms. These may include:

• fatigue
• muscle pain
• anxiety.

Symptoms of caffeine withdrawal may begin within 12 to 24 hours and can last about seven days.;

The easiest way for you to break caffeine dependence is to reduce the amount youre having gradually. This gives your nervous system time to adapt to functioning without the drug.

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 or other warm beverage 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 has indicated that sleep enables your brain to drain built-up chemical by products of working so hard , which is good for you!

With these tips you can reduce the caffeine in your body and avoid the rebound of a caffeine withdrawal.

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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.

Additionally, caffeine withdrawal is recognized by psychiatrists as a real disorder.

Caffeine withdrawal is a recognized disorder and is listed in the DSM-5.

How Can I Treat A Caffeine Withdrawal Headache

• Gradually reduce your consumption of caffeine instead of stopping suddenly. This can help to reduce the severity of your withdrawal symptoms, although it may take longer for them to go away completely completely. Reduce how much caffeine you have each day over two to three weeks or longer if needed. Put a plan in place to help you stay on track.
• Headaches can be treated with over the counter medications, such as acetaminophen , ibuprofen and aspirin. Remember to avoid medications that contain caffeine.
• Rest and get plenty of sleep.
• Drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated.

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How Much Is Too Much Caffeine

How much caffeine is too much? Medical advice states over 400 milligrams of caffeine in one day is too much.

Heres what 400 mg of caffeine looks like in common foods and beverages:

• 4 eight-ounce cups of coffee
• 20 ounces of dark chocolate;
• 8 cups of black tea or green tea
• 5 energy drinks

Thats a lot of caffeine before the drawbacks kick in! In many cases, simply limiting caffeine to the recommended amount can make positive improvements without quitting it altogether.

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What Is A Caffeine Withdrawal Headache

Headaches are the most common and dominant symptom of caffeine withdrawal, occurring in about 50% of people trying to quit caffeine.

When caffeine is consumed it is absorbed into the bloodstream and crosses the blood-brain barrier where it blocks the adenosine receptors and prevents drowsiness..

Caffeine consumption also affects the blood vessels and the rate of blood flow in the brain. Consuming caffeine can significantly decrease the rate of blood flow in certain blood vessels in the brain within half an hour, with flow rates returning to normal after about two hours.

Withdrawing caffeine can cause blood flow rates to temporarily increase in certain blood vessels in the brain and this is thought to contribute to the development of headaches when trying to quit caffeine.

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Caffeine Withdrawal Symptoms: The Dark Side Of Coffee

Last Updated on September 17, 2018 by Michael Joseph

Coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world.

It tastes delicious, its good for our health, and its very popular at social gatherings and for bringing people together.

However, quitting coffee has side effects.

For some people who wish to quit coffee, there are some unpleasant caffeine withdrawal symptoms to deal with.

This article takes a look at the issue in detail and examines what these withdrawal symptoms are, why they happen and how we can deal with them.

Signs & Symptoms Of Caffeine Withdrawal

Here are a few caffeine withdrawal symptoms and signs:

1);;;Headache

The most common sign of caffeine withdrawal. It is said that caffeine causes brain blood vessels to shrink which reduces blood flow in the brain. Once we reduce the intake of caffeine the blood vessels open up increasing the blood flow in the brain. The sudden change can cause severe headaches as the brain would take time to adapt to the new increase in blood flow. The caffeine withdrawal headache can last a few days until the brain adjusts to an increase in blood flow in the brain.

2);;;Fatigue

Although caffeine lessens fatigue by blocking the adenosine receptors in the brain, a neurotransmitter that causes dizziness and slows the central nervous system when the body is preparing for sleep. Nevertheless, when an individual stops or significantly reduces the intake of caffeine it can cause an opposite effect and increases the feeling of exhaustion and fatigue.

3);;;Difficulty Concentrating

One of the reasons people consume caffeinated drinks is to boost concentration. Caffeine increases adrenaline in the body that causes a rise in heart rate and blood pressure which increases alertness and level of concentration.

Once you stop drinking caffeinated beverages, it has a negative impact on your concentration levels and it becomes difficult for you to stay focused.;

4);;;Tremors

Tremors as a result of caffeine withdrawal can last up to two to nine days.

5);;;Intense Mood Swings

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