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What is Caffeine Withdrawal?

Coffee is definitely a part of American life. If you have ever hit that snooze button one too many times and ended up running through the front door without a commuter mug in your hand then you have felt just how dependent we are on coffee in order to get started in the morning.

  1. Coffee and Dependency

    • The length of time that it takes to form a dependency can differ from person to person. However, if you consume around 100 milligrams of caffeine a day, which is the amount in a 6-ounce cup of brewed coffee, then you are at risk of forming a dependency. Also, keep in mind that the cup of coffee you have in the morning may not be the only caffeine you ingest during the day. If you drink a can of soda or eat a chocolate bar you are taking in additional doses of caffeine.

    What Does Caffeine Do to Your Brain?

    • Caffeine actually changes the chemistry of your brain. Your body produces a chemical called adenosine, which binds to specific receptors in the brain and slows nerve activity. This process creates drowsiness. When you ingest caffeine your brain misinterprets it as adenosine, and it binds to the adenosine receptors. The actual adenosine is then unable to bind to its receptors, which causes the nerve cells in your body speed up, and you become more alert.

    What Caffeine Does to Your Body

    • Caffeine is a mild stimulant, and the chemical reaction it creates in your brain makes you feel more alert and energized. Other side effects are dilated pupils, a quicker heart beat and tightening of muscles.

    Symptoms of Withdrawal

    • Miss one cup of coffee in the morning and you will begin to feel the effects of your caffeine dependency. Some of the symptoms of caffeine withdrawal are headache, loss of focus and concentration, drowsiness, irritability and depression, and they typically start about 12 hours after you had your last cup of coffee, peak at two days and can last for as long as a week.

    How to Wean Yourself Off of Caffeine

    • Unless you want to suffer the full effects of caffeine withdrawal it is recommended that you wean yourself off of coffee slowly. Exchange one of the three cups of coffee you have during the day with a decaffeinated version or switch to a half-caffeinated brew. Allow your body to adjust to the new dose slowly until you feel comfortable enough to remove caffeine from your diet completely.

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