Caffeine also boosts other hormones and neurotransmitters like adrenaline and dopamine, and reduces blood flow to the brain. The withdrawal symptoms happen as the brain works to adjust to functioning without caffeine. Fortunately, caffeine withdrawal does not last long and symptoms are considered to be relatively mild.
Are you wondering how long it takes to feel normal after quitting caffeine? It definitely should not take months. For most people, caffeine withdrawal symptoms can last two to nine days and you should be feeling fine again no more than two weeks after you stopped using caffeine.
The severity of symptoms vary from individual to individual, and most commonly include a headache, fatigue, decreased energy/activeness, decreased alertness, drowsiness, decreased contentedness, depressed mood, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and feeling foggy/not clearheaded.
However, caffeine can also stimulate the body's fight or flight response, leading to symptoms such as nervousness, stress, anxiety, low mood, heart palpitations, and panic attacks. Quitting caffeine can make you less anxious, especially if you are prone to anxiety.
You'll feel happier and more awake
Caffeine also increases your stress response, which results in the release of the stress hormone cortisol. “An increase in cortisol will cause an increase in blood sugar levels which then increases insulin. This increases inflammation, making you feel tired and lousy,” Melissa says.
Caffeine withdrawal fatigue can last anywhere from two to nine days. If you're sleep deprived and rely on coffee to perk you up, though, you may feel fatigue until you address this.
Tip: Don't Quit Cold Turkey
A step-by-step approach is your best bet. To start, replace half of your morning cup of joe with decaf, for example. Switch out your caffeinated foods and drinks over time with caffeine-free options to help ease withdrawal symptoms.
Not partaking in caffeine can be good for your blood pressure. Caffeine has been shown to raise blood pressure levels due to the stimulatory effect it has on the nervous system. High intake of caffeine — 3 to 5 cups per day — has also been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
Lifelong coffee/caffeine consumption has been associated with prevention of cognitive decline, and reduced risk of developing stroke, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.
People can develop a dependence on coffee and other Caffeinated beverages quite quickly. This is due to the chemical changes that sustained consumption produces in the brain. If someone drinks Caffeine on a daily basis, they will develop a tolerance just as they would to other drugs or alcohol.
Gradually reducing your caffeine consumption over a period of two to three weeks will help you successfully change your habit without causing withdrawal symptoms.
Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant that can significantly contribute to anxiety. There's evidence that quitting caffeine can be even more beneficial for anxiety than taking prescription anti-anxiety drugs!
For some people — such as those with anxiety disorders — caffeine in coffee could worsen anxiety symptoms. Avoiding caffeine may help lower anxiety symptoms. It's important to know when to talk with your healthcare provider about what other treatment options might be right for you.
How much caffeine is in decaf coffee? Decaffeination removes about 97% or more of the caffeine in coffee beans. A typical cup of decaf coffee has about 2 mg of caffeine, compared to a typical cup of regular coffee, which has about 95 mg of caffeine.
In moderation, it can be okay, but drink it too much and you could feel irritable, scared, and even angry. If you take a break from drinking coffee, you may find that you get stressed much less often and your moods feel more stable.
Benefits of Quitting Caffeine
These speak for themselves, but cutting down on your caffeine consumption can lead to less anxiety, better sleep, more efficient nutrient absorption, whiter teeth, balanced hormones, improved brain chemistry, and fewer headaches.
Abruptly quitting caffeine can cause a dramatic change in the chemicals present in the brain, which may cause feelings of anxiety, depression, or irritability.
Quitting coffee can increase the growth of collagen and makes look healthy and makes it glow. Moreover, the dehydration can cause premature aging and a caffeine detox can lead to a beautiful change in your skin quality. Coffee can also increase oil production in the skin and cause our pores to get clogged due to this.
In fact, in a Psychology Today article by Ohio State University professor Gary L. Wenk, Ph. D., coffee does not raise IQ levels. The caffeine in coffee only increases the brain's processing speed but it doesn't lead to significant long-term changes in cognitive performance.
Moderate caffeine consumption might boost memory. Recent Johns Hopkins University research indicates that caffeine may enhance long-term memory.
Caffeine is the key reason why coffee boosts brain function. This stimulant blocks adenosine, an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain that makes you sleepy.