9 replies to this topic

[Ace Silver]

I plan on stopping caffeine cold turkey with concern that it's contributing to adrenal fatigue. I also plan to stop (for the most part) consuming anything with sugar. My question for you all is what kind of supplements (if any) will help with the negatives of stopping caffeine suddenly? A little background is every morning I feel I NEED my coffee no matter what and also have about 3 to 4 cups a day, Including before bed. I also use to drink energy drinks 3 to 4 times a day until they started Messing with my stomach/acid reflux. I really want to get my adrenals back into working/healthy shape. I usually crash hard from energy drinks and coffee too (sign of adrenal fatigue?) My girlfriend can drink as much as me and never crash.

[Galaxyshock]

I'd rather do a somewhat quick taper off and take Cordyceps

[Mind]

Instead of supplements, maybe take a vacation. Caffeine withdrawal is difficult. Headaches and grogginess for 2 to 3 days. Some people say it takes up to a week or two to get back to normal. Take a couple days off so you can just lay around while you suffer through the withdrawal.

[Junk Master]

I've done it many times by using rhodiola, ashwagandha, and ginseng while substituting green tea for coffee.  Then I slowly taper the green tea to decaf green tea over a week.

[GoingPrimal]

Another, much gentler method is to buy separate bags of caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee. First few days do 3/4 caffeinated, next few days do half caff, next few days 1/4 caff, then straight decaff from there on out. Decaffeinated coffee still has some caffeine but it's negligible and won't pose any harm to your adrenals.

 

Also look into some supps/herbs to help adrenal function, many posts on this board about the topic - schizandra, ashwagandha, rehmannia, licorice if your blood pressure is fine.

[BasicBiO]

Yep, I agree with the others...a taper is a far better method from my experience.  Cold turkey gave me the worst headaches and withdrawal symptoms ever to the point of being not functional.

[serp777]

kratom maeng da is great for energy and the buzz will totally help you get through caffeine withdrawal.

 

After experiencing opiate withdrawal though caffeine withdrawal doesn't even phase me in the slightest since its relatively so insignificant.

[Galaxyshock]

Taking an opiate for caffeine withdrawal seems a bit excess, even if Kratom is less problematic than stronger opioids. It can also create a new habit that is most likely worse than moderate caffeine usage.

 

Cordyceps mimics adenosine (which caffeine antagonizes), but is also a MAOB-inhibitor which gives an energizing effect. Add a smooth caffeine source like Yerba Mate or Tea for the taper and it should be painless. One should also feel rejuvenated from using Cordyceps as it increases steroidogenesis, and also positive from getting rid of the caffeine habit.

[OneScrewLoose]

First of all you should really taper. I take time-released Theophylline to reduce my caffeine take. It's related to caffiene, being an adenosine antagonist, but is a bit different. I believe it's found in tea leaves. It's used for asthma. Careful though, Theophylline has a narrow theraputic index and you should really research the dosage, you can harm yourself if not careful.. I dropped my coffee intake from 5-11 cups to 1-3 cups per day.

[nowayout]

I don't get caffeine withdrawal symptoms when I stop - just another data point, given that reading some of the other responses might create more anxiety than necessary.  One of the major problems with quitting anything is managing the anxiety of expectations of withdrawal, accurate or not.  Generally a bit of a headache manageable with aspirin the first day or two is realistic, but having to take a vacation, opioids, or being bedridden for days would be extreme - not saying it didn't happen to someone, but it is not the normal expected reaction. 

 

If you feel the need, some dark chocolate might help taper you off.  As would teas (e.g. green tea) that have less caffeine than coffee. 

Edited by nowayout, 17 February 2015 - 02:42 PM.