32 replies to this topic

[Billybear185]

Hello I have a question for anyone that knows about caffeine withdrawal. I have been drinking coffee for about four years now and I have been off for about three weeks. I am more tired than usual, but nothing like chronic fatigue. However, I definitely experience brain fog, and my attention is not sharp.

Does anyone know of a quicker method to reverse desensitization of caffeine? I am already aware of good diet, exercise and sleep. I considered Piracetam, but I am not sure if it would do anything in this case. Any ideas are greatly appreciated.

[deh707]

I find it best to taper down your dosages instead of cold turkey stopping.

There were times when I was chowing down on 800mg caffeine a day.

To taper down, I halved the dose every week. 400mg/day for a week, 200mg/day the next, and so on.

Definitely consume more water, and you can try L-Tyrosine and/or L-Theanine to combat the withdrawal symptoms.

As for Piracetam, many find it useful to combat the withdrawal symptoms, as well. I've definitely transitioned into a mostly caffeine-free life just using those 3 on a daily basis.

[maya2013]

I had myself with piracetam with choline source absolutely but i know piracetam not enough for full focus and concentration so i read about Prolab Caffeine so tried to cut one tab in half cause it's too powerful so 100mg will do the work for a day and believe me it gets amazing for whole day without being tired and fatique but sleep is very compulsory when you take it or your blood pressure is increases cause not having enough sleep and keep working your body for whole day so take if you've completed sleep more than 8-10 hours

[spookytooth]

The best method indeed seems to be to gradually cut down the dose.
Switching to tea also helps. Then opening the tea bag and only use 3/4 of the contents. Then 1/2 etc

[3AlarmLampscooter]

Tapering is the best practice. I've used doses in the 4-5g range before, and did go through some withdrawl when coming off. Adrafinil would work well for combatting fatigue.

[Galaxyshock]

You could use another adenosinergic with energizing qualities but without the comedowns/dependence etc.

and that would be Cordyceps.

[Luminosity]

Congratulations on quitting caffeine.

Ginkgo may help. I like Gaia organics liquid alcohol extract. If alcohol is an issue there are plenty of other versions. Green tea may help. You can take decaffeinated green tea. Plain hot or room temperature green tea is best. Matcha green tea, placed in room temperature water, will have very little caffeine and contains components that may help your circulatory system heal. A good vitamin C may help. I like Ester C capsules without bioflavinoids, which I get from Swansons. MSM might or might not help. I like Source Naturals plain powder dissolved in water with a little vitamin C on an empty stomach.

My understanding of what may be happening is that your circulatory system needs to heal. For one thing, your veins may be dilated, leading to brain fog. The caffeine constricted your veins temporarily causing altertness, but in the long run it has made things worse. Eating a steamed green vegetable every day is nourishing and anti-inflammatory to the affected parts of your body.

Swimming in unheated water may be refreshing. If you are young and healthy and have access to cold water, or an ice bath in a spa, that may help. Just a cold shower might help. Don't overdo. You might catch cold.

In Chinese medicine eating consuming cold food and drinks is bad for you. Try to avoid that. Doing that causes "damp heat" which is a type of inflammation in your body. People with damp heat may crave caffeine or cold drinks because they temporarily alleviate this problem and make them feel crisp and clear. In the long run, however, this makes things worse. This is considered "normal" in Western cultures right now. In the long run, following a proper diet according to Chinese Medicine allows you to feel more alert all the time, without having to use cold drinks and caffeine to quench a constant inflammation in your body.

Following is a link to my thread on Chinese Medicine:

http://www.longecity...inese-medicine/

Edited by Luminosity, 30 July 2013 - 03:37 AM.

[aghonia]

I unsuccessfully considered many time quitting from caffeine. Major cause of withdrawing the withdrawal is the extreme anxiety I get from (green or not) tea. Currently, I am on a rhodiola rosea + n-acetyl-l-tyrosine+40mg caffeine regimen

[spookytooth]

Congratulations on quitting caffeine.

Ginkgo may help. I like Gaia organics liquid alcohol extract. If alcohol is an issue there are plenty of other versions. Green tea may help. You can take decaffeinated green tea. Plain hot or room temperature green tea is best. Matcha green tea, placed in room temperature water, will have very little caffeine and contains components that may help your circulatory system heal. A good vitamin C may help. I like Ester C capsules without bioflavinoids, which I get from Swansons. MSM might or might not help. I like Source Naturals plain powder dissolved in water with a little vitamin C on an empty stomach.

My understanding of what may be happening is that your circulatory system needs to heal. For one thing, your veins may be dilated, leading to brain fog. The caffeine constricted your veins temporarily causing altertness, but in the long run it has made things worse. Eating a steamed green vegetable every day is nourishing and anti-inflammatory to the affected parts of your body.

Swimming in unheated water may be refreshing. If you are young and healthy and have access to cold water, or an ice bath in a spa, that may help. Just a cold shower might help. Don't overdo. You might catch cold.

In Chinese medicine eating consuming cold food and drinks is bad for you. Try to avoid that. Doing that causes "damp heat" which is a type of inflammation in your body. People with damp heat may crave caffeine or cold drinks because they temporarily alleviate this problem and make them feel crisp and clear. In the long run, however, this makes things worse. This is considered "normal" in Western cultures right now. In the long run, following a proper diet according to Chinese Medicine allows you to feel more alert all the time, without having to use cold drinks and caffeine to quench a constant inflammation in your body.

Following is a link to my thread on Chinese Medicine:

http://www.longecity...inese-medicine/

Although I am sure you mean well there is no evidence to support TCM.

http://www.cochrane....hinese medicine

Please try to stay scientific.

Also what makes you think dilated veins are responsible for cognitive deficits and that they are a (permanent?) result of consuming caffeine?

Edited by spookytooth, 30 July 2013 - 01:01 PM.

[rwac]

Caffeine has potential for life extension http://www.longecity...e-and-lifespan/
May I ask why you're giving it up?

[Galaxyshock]

Although I am sure you mean well there is no evidence to support TCM.

http://www.cochrane....Chinese medicin

Please try to stay scientific.

Also what makes you think dilated veins are responsible for cognitive deficits and that they are a (permanent?) result of consuming caffeine?

So you type it "medicin" on purpose to show no results? ...............

http://www.cochrane....hinese medicine

Edited by Galaxyshock, 30 July 2013 - 12:35 PM.

[spookytooth]

Although I am sure you mean well there is no evidence to support TCM.

http://www.cochrane....Chinese medicin

Please try to stay scientific.

Also what makes you think dilated veins are responsible for cognitive deficits and that they are a (permanent?) result of consuming caffeine?

So you type it "medicin" on purpose to show no results? ...............

http://www.cochrane....hinese medicine

No. Why would I do that? Weird allegation. That was a typo. I've corrected it.

Edited by spookytooth, 30 July 2013 - 01:04 PM.

[Billybear185]

Although I am sure you mean well there is no evidence to support TCM.

http://www.cochrane....hinese medicine

Please try to stay scientific.

Also what makes you think dilated veins are responsible for cognitive deficits and that they are a (permanent?) result of consuming caffeine?

Actually the TCM guy is correct, dilation of the blood vessels increases blood to the brain and causes headache and tiredness. This is not permanent, but I am not sure how long it lasts.

Caffeine has potential for life extension http://www.longecity...e-and-lifespan/
May I ask why you're giving it up?

I am not so sure about the credibility of this research. It may be true, but I think I will wait until it is pretty definitive. The reason why I am quitting caffeine is because I don't like being dependent on it. I'd much rather be able to wake up and be productive through out the day with out it.

[spookytooth]

Although I am sure you mean well there is no evidence to support TCM.

http://www.cochrane....hinese medicine

Please try to stay scientific.

Also what makes you think dilated veins are responsible for cognitive deficits and that they are a (permanent?) result of consuming caffeine?

Actually the TCM guy is correct, dilation of the blood vessels increases blood to the brain and causes headache and tiredness. This is not permanent, but I am not sure how long it lasts.

Caffeine has potential for life extension http://www.longecity...e-and-lifespan/
May I ask why you're giving it up?

I am not so sure about the credibility of this research. It may be true, but I think I will wait until it is pretty definitive. The reason why I am quitting caffeine is because I don't like being dependent on it. I'd much rather be able to wake up and be productive through out the day with out it.

The dilation of blood vessels increases blood flow to organs, that's true. But he mentioned veins specifically which transport blood back to the heart. Vasodilation is mainly about arteries.

[Billybear185]

The dilation of blood vessels increases blood flow to organs, that's true. But he mentioned veins specifically which transport blood back to the heart. Vasodilation is mainly about arteries.

The main reason why one gets a headache from caffeine withdrawal is due to dilation of blood vessels in the brain.

[spookytooth]

The dilation of blood vessels increases blood flow to organs, that's true. But he mentioned veins specifically which transport blood back to the heart. Vasodilation is mainly about arteries.

The main reason why one gets a headache from caffeine withdrawal is due to dilation of blood vessels in the brain.

That might be true and I am not negating it. What I wanted to say was basically: Be critical of medical advice from someone who propagates non-scientific treatment methods and who doesn't differentiate between arteries, veins or blood vessels in general. The latter point specifically can be seen as an indication of a lack of knowledge of basic physiology.

Edited by spookytooth, 30 July 2013 - 03:14 PM.

[Luminosity]

A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ralph Waldo Emerson

Only 15 percent of the decisions a doctor makes
everyday are based on evidence.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Robert Califf M.D. Director of Duke University's Clinical Research Institute
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .(Time magazine October 12, 1998)

Cultural assumptions are often the hidden rationale
underlying many scientific premises.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Fatimah Jackson
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Professor of Biological Anthropology
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .University of Maryland

The Lord hath created medicines out of the earth, and
he that is wise will not abhor them.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Brillat-Savarin
. . . . . . . . . . . . . ."The Physiology of Taste" 1826

That's the best you got spooky? That I generically used veins to mean blood vessels? My point is still valid.

Not sure why you are using this man's thread to debate "science" vs. Chinese Medicine but . . . you say there is no scientific evidence behind TCM? Obviously, you are not a scientist. They know that isn't true, and that Western Medicine often has no valid science behind its methods. Giving antibiotics for a cold, for instance. Standard treatment for lung cancer was found to make the patients 2% more likely to die, according to a meta-analysis of all the data. You trying to out argue me is an example of bringing a knife to a gunfight.



for more quotes go here: http://www.longecity...and-quotations/
to see more of my writing about health, go here: http://www.longecity...92/cat-5-health

Edited by Luminosity, 02 August 2013 - 05:42 AM.

[thegodsmustbecrazy]

Caffeine, and coffee in particular, is the nectar of the gods. When people talk of quitting caffeine, I have to wonder why? Coffee is one of life's simple pleasures. It is fairly safe, might even be good for us, and makes us more productive. In my mind, this makes the whole concept of withdrawals and quitting a moot point. As for the OP's underlying premise of being productive without being addicted to something, that is fine too, and more power to you. I'll have that double espresso, ground from fresh beans that I roasted myself, thanks.

[Galaxyshock]

"To do nothing is sometimes a good remedy."

- Hippocrates

[Introspecta]

Many people have had good results using DLPA to reduce caffiene withdrawal. I know I use it when I'm tapering off caffiene to potentiate it.

I've been on and off quitting caffiene for a long time due to negative effects. I was drinking 3-4 energy drinks a day at one point. I know coffee is much healthier but some people get out of control with it and it becomes difficult to function without it. When Off caffiene I wake up feeling so much better. That is why people try to quit. You actually feel better without it. You stay more balanced througout the day in my experience

[aghonia]

try to reduce caffeine by assuming caffeine + l-theanine

[thegodsmustbecrazy]

I've been on and off quitting caffiene for a long time due to negative effects. I was drinking 3-4 energy drinks a day at one point. I know coffee is much healthier but some people get out of control with it and it becomes difficult to function without it. When Off caffiene I wake up feeling so much better. That is why people try to quit. You actually feel better without it. You stay more balanced througout the day in my experience

This is a fine reason for quitting. However, it mostly highlights the negative effects of abuse. I really enjoy my coffee, but still try to limit myself from having more than 300mg a day tops. Usually, spread throughout the day i will go through about 250mg (which is a double espresso in the morning, and a cup of coffee in the afternoon). Going way over this would leave me prone to crashes, and drinking it later than 6pm would make it hard for me to sleep.

cheers, gods.

[machete234]

I had no coffee today but I drank at least 5 cups of black tea, I can really recommend that.
Tea is really almost not stimulating and only when you drink way too much you will get nauseaus but still no overstimulation.

Im sort of a coffee addict and this was really surprising because I wasnt this calm in days.
I read somewhere that Magnesium can help with caffeine withdrawals

"To do nothing is sometimes a good remedy."

- Hippocrates

Thats how I quit smoking its a genious method, brother still thinks hes addicted.

Edited by machete234, 02 August 2013 - 08:43 PM.

[norepinephrine]

If you're drinking 5 cups of black tea, you're not going through caffeine withdrawal.

As well, the calmness likely arose from the modest theanine content.

[aghonia]

I exploit norepinephrine's post to get back to the concept: try to reduce caffeine intake by assuming theanine+40-60mg caffeine. The joint effect is extremely noticeable and at least for me worked well in reducing the quantities.

[machete234]

If you're drinking 5 cups of black tea, you're not going through caffeine withdrawal.

As well, the calmness likely arose from the modest theanine content.

Yes but I think this is a great way of tapering down and I normally drink 5 cups of coffee which is like 500mg a day I guess
while the tea probably has half that or less. (It took 3-4 cups to not feel tired somthing that 1 or 2 cups of coffee does)

Edited by machete234, 02 August 2013 - 09:52 PM.

[aghonia]

do you use strong espresso coffee or the 0.5L undrinkable sludge which I very often find in northern europe \ us?

[machete234]

I normally drink epsresso or espresso + hot water for a tall cup, this allready should have a lower caffeine content.

[aghonia]

perhaps you can just take the espresso (around 60mg caffeine) and receive all the effect instead of taking more diluted coffee during the day

[Billybear185]

Thanks for all the help everyone. However, after about 3 weeks I am already back on caffeine. O well I think I will just try to limit my caffeine intake...