Caffeine Withdrawals

This is actually a serious problem, yet something many people gives no credence to what so ever. Just in the last few years the medical field has looked at caffeine withdrawals seriously. It is estimated about 2 in 10 people will experience caffeine withdrawals bad enough they will seek medical help. So not only is caffeine addiction real, so are the caffeine withdrawals that occur when one tries to quit caffeine. The symptom most reported is that of headaches, yet there are others.

There is really nothing that can be done when experiencing the symptoms of caffeine withdrawal. As with everything not everyone will experience withdrawal, this is dependent on many factors. Naturally then length of time and the amount of caffeine will more than likely play a role as to whether you will have withdrawals or not. It should also determine the extent to which you may experience it as well as the severity. As every person is different so will be their reaction to it. Yet it’s pretty safe to say for someone who has been having caffeine for a while and decides to quit caffeine, they will experience caffeine withdrawals to some extent.

As mentioned headaches seem to be the most common symptom, yet there are others. Some people may be feel depressed when trying to quit caffeine, and others will feel very sleepy. This makes sense as caffeine provides the body with a rush like feeling, and the body, in many ways, does become used to this boost. So when it doesn’t happen, the body misses it and reacts in different ways. Others may experience severe mood swings and even have to take medication to stabilize it. There are other cases where some people will have flu like symptoms with nausea and pain. Concentration is something that may be affected as well with caffeine withdrawals.

The duration of the symptoms will vary as well depending on the person. As I am sure much of it is physical, a lot of this has to do with the individual mentally as well. Medically a doctor will tell you that after nine days the body is considered no longer addicted. So if symptoms persist then it may be something else. Granted it is hard when you are used to relying on something as a boost, and then it’s gone. I am also sure to some degree the caffeine did physically assist you in having more energy and feeling better, if that’s the response the caffeine gave to you. Yet much of this is psychological as well, where you have trained yourself to feel, “I can’t get through my morning without that cup of coffee”. This is a learned response and reaction to coffee, yet always something that you can change as well.

There are also many people that will have no caffeine withdrawals at all. Others will experience a few days of discomfort in different ways and then it’s done. It’s a good idea to pay attention to your body’s reaction and to work through it in a positive manner. You will soon appreciate your decision of not being dependent on caffeine and start feeling better in no time.