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April 16, 2010 7:45 AM Subscribe
In a few months, I would like to wean myself off of caffeine entirely. But I have some concerns.
Right now I consume between 275 and 414 mg of caffeine, in carbonated beverage form, per day. I dislike being dependent on it, to say nothing of its diuretic properties. I would also prefer to have more flexibility in my morning/midday beverage choices. Having browsed some previous AskMe threads about the process of kicking the caffeine habit, I think I can do it.
However, I have a few reservations, and I'd like to hear from those of you who have kicked caffeine permanently—or, for that matter, kicked it and then gone right back on it—about your experiences (and/or helpful links) related to the following:
1) Will I end up having trouble focusing at work? I have to be "on" most of the day and I couldn't have my mental sharpness diminishing.
2) I am the sort of person who needs a lot of sleep. My life circumstances also don't permit nights of unbroken sleep more than maybe 2-3 times a year. I fear kicking caffeine may render me damn near zombiefied in the mornings. I have a hard enough time attaining full wakefulness with caffeine.
3) The last time I tried this, I got really depressed; it went away when I got back on caffeine. Maybe my approach was too sudden, I don't remember, but has anyone else had that happen? Did it go away with time?
Right now I consume between 275 and 414 mg of caffeine, in carbonated beverage form, per day. I dislike being dependent on it, to say nothing of its diuretic properties. I would also prefer to have more flexibility in my morning/midday beverage choices. Having browsed some previous AskMe threads about the process of kicking the caffeine habit, I think I can do it.
However, I have a few reservations, and I'd like to hear from those of you who have kicked caffeine permanently—or, for that matter, kicked it and then gone right back on it—about your experiences (and/or helpful links) related to the following:
1) Will I end up having trouble focusing at work? I have to be "on" most of the day and I couldn't have my mental sharpness diminishing.
2) I am the sort of person who needs a lot of sleep. My life circumstances also don't permit nights of unbroken sleep more than maybe 2-3 times a year. I fear kicking caffeine may render me damn near zombiefied in the mornings. I have a hard enough time attaining full wakefulness with caffeine.
3) The last time I tried this, I got really depressed; it went away when I got back on caffeine. Maybe my approach was too sudden, I don't remember, but has anyone else had that happen? Did it go away with time?
I weaned myself off caffeine by cutting consumption in half every few days until I was consuming so little each day it was a breeze to just drop it altogether. During the weaning period, I would drink a few sips of additional caffeine if I got the headache.
For me, the biggest noticeable difference was that it was much harder for me to "hide" it when I had not gotten enough sleep the night before, which may be an issue for you as well. In fact, that was one of the primary reasons I went back to drinking caffeine.
posted by DrGail at 8:00 AM on April 16, 2010 [1 favorite]
For me, the biggest noticeable difference was that it was much harder for me to "hide" it when I had not gotten enough sleep the night before, which may be an issue for you as well. In fact, that was one of the primary reasons I went back to drinking caffeine.
posted by DrGail at 8:00 AM on April 16, 2010 [1 favorite]
1. I focus better without caffeine. Caffeine makes my mind jittery and it jumps around.
2. You will sleep better if you're not on caffeine.
3. It's possible. Take vitamin D. You could also try Sam-e. Which may also help with mental sharpness.
posted by MexicanYenta at 8:00 AM on April 16, 2010
2. You will sleep better if you're not on caffeine.
3. It's possible. Take vitamin D. You could also try Sam-e. Which may also help with mental sharpness.
posted by MexicanYenta at 8:00 AM on April 16, 2010
The best way I've found to kick a physical dependency like this is to...
A) gradually taper, staying ever so slightly ahead of withdrawal symptoms.
B) Make a pot of coffee and stick it in the fridge. Having a fast, convenient way to fight an onset of withdrawals will calm your fears some.
C) Switch to something like Diet Rite (0 caff) to prevent you from inadvertently taking in more caff via the habit of sipping cola.
Good luck!
posted by unixrat at 8:02 AM on April 16, 2010
A) gradually taper, staying ever so slightly ahead of withdrawal symptoms.
B) Make a pot of coffee and stick it in the fridge. Having a fast, convenient way to fight an onset of withdrawals will calm your fears some.
C) Switch to something like Diet Rite (0 caff) to prevent you from inadvertently taking in more caff via the habit of sipping cola.
Good luck!
posted by unixrat at 8:02 AM on April 16, 2010
2) I think you'll find, with respect to this, that after your 'withdrawal' period you will actually feel better when waking up. My experience has been that the caffeine doesn't allow you to sleep as well even if you dont realize that its doing it. It might take a little time but you should feel better rested after kicking it. Individual results will vary of course.
posted by Busmick at 8:02 AM on April 16, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by Busmick at 8:02 AM on April 16, 2010 [1 favorite]
I would wean myself off slowly, starting with cutting out the last caffeinated beverage of the day. After a couple of days cut out the next in line.
A good B Vitamin supplement will help to supply some of the zip that you are feeling right now from the caffeine.
I would also suggest upping your intake of Omega 3 fatty acids. Studies have shown that not only is it good for cardio-vascular health, stroke prevention, and your immune system, but also for memory improvement, mental functions, and depression. The best way to do this is of course by eating more fish (at least three meals a week). But you can also get it through supplement form.
posted by CoffeeDregs at 8:05 AM on April 16, 2010
A good B Vitamin supplement will help to supply some of the zip that you are feeling right now from the caffeine.
I would also suggest upping your intake of Omega 3 fatty acids. Studies have shown that not only is it good for cardio-vascular health, stroke prevention, and your immune system, but also for memory improvement, mental functions, and depression. The best way to do this is of course by eating more fish (at least three meals a week). But you can also get it through supplement form.
posted by CoffeeDregs at 8:05 AM on April 16, 2010
I've gone off and then back on (as needed) here is my path and experience. Historically it's gotten mixed reviews.
1.) Drop all liquid caffeine, it's too hard to track. 2.) Switch to 200 mg caffeine pills (controversy!!) lot's of stigma with pills, but they are easy to track. 3.)I took one in the morning and one in the afternoon. 4.) Eliminated afternoon pill after a week. 5.) Cut the morning one in half after another week. 6.) Down to a quarter (at which point I don't even believe I was feeling it... all in my brain probably) 7.) Then all together.
No withdrawal for me, I even started to sleep better. But I did lose focus at work a bit. So my mixed solution. No caffeine in the morning. Direct from bed jumping jacks or push-ups, enough that I feel blood start moving. Then I allow myself an indulgence once a week but only before 3 pm. I can't speak towards the depression as I was eliminating caffeine per the recommendation of a mental health provider and in addition to an RX I was taking for anxiety (yeah caffeine + anxiety = stupid choice on my part, but I need it sometimes) B vitamins didn't work (actually made me sleepy) but vitamin D appeared to (I'm skeptical of all vitamins, but I'll take it purely for the placebo).
posted by syntheticfaith at 8:07 AM on April 16, 2010
1.) Drop all liquid caffeine, it's too hard to track. 2.) Switch to 200 mg caffeine pills (controversy!!) lot's of stigma with pills, but they are easy to track. 3.)I took one in the morning and one in the afternoon. 4.) Eliminated afternoon pill after a week. 5.) Cut the morning one in half after another week. 6.) Down to a quarter (at which point I don't even believe I was feeling it... all in my brain probably) 7.) Then all together.
No withdrawal for me, I even started to sleep better. But I did lose focus at work a bit. So my mixed solution. No caffeine in the morning. Direct from bed jumping jacks or push-ups, enough that I feel blood start moving. Then I allow myself an indulgence once a week but only before 3 pm. I can't speak towards the depression as I was eliminating caffeine per the recommendation of a mental health provider and in addition to an RX I was taking for anxiety (yeah caffeine + anxiety = stupid choice on my part, but I need it sometimes) B vitamins didn't work (actually made me sleepy) but vitamin D appeared to (I'm skeptical of all vitamins, but I'll take it purely for the placebo).
posted by syntheticfaith at 8:07 AM on April 16, 2010
I feel better without caffeine. I quit cold turkey 5+ years ago. Now, on the rare occasion I consume it, I feel less 'productive' and more like 'halfway to an anxiety attack.'
posted by sugarfish at 8:08 AM on April 16, 2010
posted by sugarfish at 8:08 AM on April 16, 2010
Every time I quit cold-turkey, I spent 1-3 months wanting to nap constantly and having trouble focusing. Taper?
posted by salvia at 8:11 AM on April 16, 2010
posted by salvia at 8:11 AM on April 16, 2010
Lifehacker's "caffeine" tag has a lot of resources w/r/t kicking caffeine and offsetting the issues you're worried about.
posted by griphus at 8:13 AM on April 16, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by griphus at 8:13 AM on April 16, 2010 [2 favorites]
I've quit completely for short periods of time, but I am such a miserable prick that I've decided my mental health is more important than caffeine's minor health issues. I have a cup of chai or hot chocolate in the mornings, and maybe a Coke with lunch. No caffeine with dinner or thereafter. That amount keeps me from getting headaches and allows me to focus. It also prevents me from stabbing people in the face with a fork.
posted by desjardins at 8:35 AM on April 16, 2010
posted by desjardins at 8:35 AM on April 16, 2010
I have been a pretty steadfast one-soda/day person for almost fifteen years. I have quit three times and each time although I felt ok people kept asking me if something was wrong. My ex described me a 'melancholy'. I didn't feel depressed, just didn't engage as much with the world around me. So I got back on it for a quality of life issue. (Also I couldn't stay up as late as my retired parents so I knew I had to get help) :-) I take mine mid day to get the most benefit. Taking it first thing in the morning actually made it harder to wake up and the effects didn't last long enough to be useful.
posted by stubborn at 8:53 AM on April 16, 2010
posted by stubborn at 8:53 AM on April 16, 2010
I've gone cold turkey and it is absolutely terrible for at least four days. After about a week and a half, though, I don't miss it at all. Once you're past the withdrawal, you won't feel groggy in the mornings - the reason you're feeling groggy is because your body needs caffeine. If you're not physically addicted, you won't need it anymore.
My husband drinks more coffee than I ever did and can quit without any side effects at all, so obviously YMMV.
posted by something something at 8:55 AM on April 16, 2010
My husband drinks more coffee than I ever did and can quit without any side effects at all, so obviously YMMV.
posted by something something at 8:55 AM on April 16, 2010
I quit about 2 years ago. I did cold turkey because I didn't feel like prolonging the misery.
But my morning coffee was such a part of my routine that I kept drinking my normal beverage in decaf form. Decaf coffee & has a small amount of caffeine but it wasn't important to me that I was taking in ZERO, just that I was mostly caffeine free.
As soon as I got a headache (about 36 hours in), I started dosing myself regularly with ibuprofen - 800 mg 3x per day. I did that for about a week (IANAD! just a veteran of monster cramps who knows the wonders of continuous Motrin.)
I would say it was all over in 2 weeks. During this two weeks, although I felt cranky, edgy and crappy, I kept up my normal workouts. Very intense, vigorous cardio, intervals, and weights (kind of crossfit style). That was very important I think. I never wanted to go (I was sullen and crabby about it) but I did, and never felt better than after I was done.
My ultimate goal was to reduce anxiety (HUGE SUCCESS!), not have to work my schedule around caffeine, eliminate headaches (success), and save money by not buying a latte or mocha each morning (FAIL).
Two years later, I still drink a decaf beverage every morning. The psychological addiction has been impossible to kick so far. But I can postpone my beverage without headaches, for example when I have a morning road race or triathlon.
posted by peep at 8:56 AM on April 16, 2010
But my morning coffee was such a part of my routine that I kept drinking my normal beverage in decaf form. Decaf coffee & has a small amount of caffeine but it wasn't important to me that I was taking in ZERO, just that I was mostly caffeine free.
As soon as I got a headache (about 36 hours in), I started dosing myself regularly with ibuprofen - 800 mg 3x per day. I did that for about a week (IANAD! just a veteran of monster cramps who knows the wonders of continuous Motrin.)
I would say it was all over in 2 weeks. During this two weeks, although I felt cranky, edgy and crappy, I kept up my normal workouts. Very intense, vigorous cardio, intervals, and weights (kind of crossfit style). That was very important I think. I never wanted to go (I was sullen and crabby about it) but I did, and never felt better than after I was done.
My ultimate goal was to reduce anxiety (HUGE SUCCESS!), not have to work my schedule around caffeine, eliminate headaches (success), and save money by not buying a latte or mocha each morning (FAIL).
Two years later, I still drink a decaf beverage every morning. The psychological addiction has been impossible to kick so far. But I can postpone my beverage without headaches, for example when I have a morning road race or triathlon.
posted by peep at 8:56 AM on April 16, 2010
I've just dropped myself from up to ten cups of coffee per day down to about two. I strongly advise not going cold turkey, instead make sure to wean yourself off it over a week or two.
The headaches I got after five days of crazy coffee consumption turning into zero coffee were atrocious.
posted by knapah at 3:35 PM on April 16, 2010
The headaches I got after five days of crazy coffee consumption turning into zero coffee were atrocious.
posted by knapah at 3:35 PM on April 16, 2010
I've tried to kick it several times and have never been successful. Headaches. Every Day. After four weeks I went back on it. FYI.
posted by raisingsand at 3:57 PM on April 16, 2010
posted by raisingsand at 3:57 PM on April 16, 2010
I did notice a major lack of focus when I stopped drinking caffeine. The headaches were gone within a day or two, but as I recall the lack of focus persisted for longer than that. Maybe a few weeks (?). I don't quite remember it was so long ago. I'm fine now though.
Waking up in the morning is easier when you're not on caffeine. Vigorous exercise will probably make you sleep better, so you may want to try that initially while you're waiting for time to clear the cobwebs out.
posted by willnot at 5:17 PM on April 16, 2010
Waking up in the morning is easier when you're not on caffeine. Vigorous exercise will probably make you sleep better, so you may want to try that initially while you're waiting for time to clear the cobwebs out.
posted by willnot at 5:17 PM on April 16, 2010
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posted by hungrysquirrels at 7:53 AM on April 16, 2010