Quitting caffeine?

amateursurgeon

amateursurgeon

Hot Metal and Methedrine
Apr 2, 2007
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The Uncanny Valley
I don't drink a huge amount of coffee (maybe about 1-pint of moka-pot strength a day), but I'm getting so I feel I can't work without it.

I woke up the other morning worrying about going to my parents' house because they only have shitty instant.

I'm not a fan of being addicted to stuff, so time to quit I think. I quit smoking decades ago, with no problem at all using only willpower, so shouldn't be too tough.

Has anyone here quit caffeine? How long did it take to get over withdrawals? Any tips?
 


It depends what stage your on, once you have evolved into the last stage its too late.



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Never quit. Caffeine stimulates protein markers in the same manner as exercise, it's very good for you.
 
When you quit prepare for pretty bad headaches. Especially if you're intake is somewhat high. You'll get them off and on for a couple days.
 
I still love my coffee. I quit ciggarettes about 2 1/2 weeks ago.

If i give up caffeine I'll have nothing left to live for.
 
Blood sugars are also something you need to watch. If you consume large amounts of sugar in the morning and then start to ease off in the afternoon, this can happen...

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I was pretty heavy drinker for 10 years and started to stop at the end of this year. Was feeling so run down and even drinking 2 strong cups in a row could still fall asleep.

It took two rounds but wasn't that hard. You won't get headaches as long as you ween yourself off. What I did was stop coffee but still drank strong English tea, first 2 cups a day for a week or so and then 1 cup. I then switched to non-caffeine free English tea to simulate having that 'drink' without the actual stimulation.

That helps with the habit of having a drink in itself which is part of the addiction.

I then stopped for about 2 weeks and then started to have a cup or two a week or a red bull. Started drinking a bit more and fell off for a bit but realized my sleep wasn't as good and felt the negative effects again so decided quit again.

Now I've pretty much quit being 'addicted', I can still have a cup or two a week but I don't crave it the same way as before and it's easier to control.

The great thing is when I do have one I actually feel it.

One thing I noticed is I feel much better overall and more relaxed. Was so used to being jittery almost 24/7 as was either under the influence of it or having withdrawl.

I have a lot more natural energy now even if I'm tired or don't get good sleep.

Next step was stopping porn this month, so overall my brain should be reset pretty well in another month or two.

But the key is to get to the point to where you can still have a cup or two a week but not fall back off the wagon like I did after quitting the first time. For me the lack of good sleep and feeling the ups and downs compared to how I felt when I quit was enough to get me to quit again, it's just much better overall.

Once you see you don't really need it you realize how bad it is to bombard your system with all this for not much real return. Better to just keep it as a treat and find something more natural to keep you going through the day, like achieving a task etc..

Good luck.
 
amateursurgeon said:
Has anyone here quit caffeine? How long did it take to get over withdrawals? Any tips?
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Week and a halfish for me. The hard shit stopped about like 4-5 days.

I'll tell you this though, I drank like... one of those "slenderize" drinks (about 2 months after quitting) and it kept me up all night. A huge change from 4-5 monsters before 2 PM and never had a problem sleeping.
 
you can avoid symptoms altogether just by reducing the amount you have slowly rather than going cold turkey.

Generally a doctor will never tell you to go cold turkey on anything, but to reduce to nothing over time (at least that's what I was told when I was popping 300-500mg of codeine a day). A lil bit of caffeine in the morning isn't bad for you either, it's when you depend on it all day to keep you alert that there's a problem.
 
Although I haven't quit caffeine at most I have 2 cups of coffee a day. I have gone though the low carb phase and no soda that kind of stuff and that sucked balls for about a month. But now if I where to drink one of those "energy drinks" I would probably fucking die as a Mt. Dew can get me pretty lit up like a 6 year old kid.

Oh yeah, hit the gym and workout it will give you extra energy.
 
medway said:
But the key is to get to the point to where you can still have a cup or two a week but not fall back off the wagon like I did after quitting the first time. For me the lack of good sleep and feeling the ups and downs compared to how I felt when I quit was enough to get me to quit again, it's just much better overall.

Once you see you don't really need it you realize how bad it is to bombard your system with all this for not much real return. Better to just keep it as a treat and find something more natural to keep you going through the day, like achieving a task etc..

Good luck.
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Yeah, this is pretty much where I'm at - it doesn't cause me any problems like jitters, lack of sleep etc, but I don't like craving stuff.

I think I'll cut right back rather than go full cold turkey, and swap out green tea for the moka pot more often.

I suspect the cravings are mostly psychological rather than physical anyhow.
 
I do about once a week two 200mg caffeine pills and it works fine for me. If you feel you might be addicted then do what you need to do.

Personally, I don't really believe in abstinence from stuff like caffeine. I see it as a tool and a really good one too. So when I'm extremely unmotivated and lazy I kick start myself with that.

I think the issue is when you start using it as a pre-requisite to even function. Why would anyone think that's good/healthy?

You mentioned you have strong willpower, if I were you I'd rather try to use it only when you really need it.
 
Just cut down to a morning and/or afternoon coffee

Why cut it out completely? It tastes nice and is mostly good for you.
 
Here is my whole take on 'let's quit everything that stimulates us' thing.

If the ultimate goals in life are happiness, freedom, and fulfillment, will quitting coffee ultimately bring you closer or farther away from that goal, assuming you drink in moderation? Ask yourself that question objectively, then make your decision.

Personally, I think the only thing it will accomplish is making your days a little less enjoyable.
 
barman said:
I still love my coffee. I quit ciggarettes about 2 1/2 weeks ago.

If i give up caffeine I'll have nothing left to live for.
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Me too, I drink at least six cups a day. I wouldn't be able to live without coffee, but not just because of the caffeine, it's also the taste.
 
I used to drink about a pot of coffee a day. I'm down to about a cup, mainly because I like the flavor of coffee and the cute girls at coffee shops. Just dedicate a week to it.

Drink a shit ton of water.
Purposefully ween yourself off of it until you're down to a cup per day or less (reduces likelihood of withdrawal headaches)
If you get a headache, just drink half a cup of coffee and it will go away and you won't lose progress

Your energy levels will stabilize after about a week or so
 
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