Side Effects of Caffeine Withdrawal
Caffeine blocks brain receptors that can dilate the blood vessels. This may lead to some withdrawal symptoms, such as headaches. Teas, energy drinks, colas and chocolate contain caffeine, though in smaller doses. People who consume those products regularly may have withdrawal symptoms when they try to stop. Children may also suffer from these withdrawal effects as much as adults, depending on how much they consume.
Common Symptoms
Severe, throbbing headaches, fatigue, sleepiness and inability to concentrate or focus on activities are common symptoms a person experiences when withdrawing from caffeine. The more caffeine consumed daily, the more difficult it is to stop and the more severe the withdrawal symptoms become, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins 13.
Illness
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Nausea, vomiting and muscle pain or stiffness are other symptoms identified by researchers at Johns Hopkins. They analyzed 57 experimental studies and nine surveys on caffeine withdrawal 13. The research reveals that many people go back to using caffeine when they experience the withdrawal symptoms 13. In the experimental studies, the researchers found that 50 percent of the subjects had headaches and 13 percent had significant distress or difficulty in functioning. Even drinkers who had one small cup of coffee a day had withdrawal symptoms, but the people who drank more had more severe symptoms.
- Nausea, vomiting and muscle pain or stiffness are other symptoms identified by researchers at Johns Hopkins.
- In the experimental studies, the researchers found that 50 percent of the subjects had headaches and 13 percent had significant distress or difficulty in functioning.
Serious Effects
Other effects may include irritability, depression, anxiety and flu-like symptoms. High blood pressure and convulsions may also occur in people used to excessive caffeine. Drinking five to six cups of coffee a day can cause jitteriness and increased metabolic rate, according to Merck Source 2. There may also be waves of hot or cold sensations that sweep through the body.
- Other effects may include irritability, depression, anxiety and flu-like symptoms.
- High blood pressure and convulsions may also occur in people used to excessive caffeine.
Withdrawal Approach
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Effects of giving up caffeine may last for two to nine days. The peak withdrawal symptoms usually occur between 20 to 48 hours following abstinence. The Johns Hopkins researchers advise a step approach to quitting caffeine 1. Instead of quitting right away, they recommend people gradually substitute decaffeinated products over time to slowly give up caffeine and avoid withdrawal symptoms 13. It will still be difficult, but the side effects may not be as severe by cutting back on consumption.
- Effects of giving up caffeine may last for two to nine days.
- The Johns Hopkins researchers advise a step approach to quitting caffeine 1.
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References
- Johns Hopkins: Caffeine withdrawal
- Merck Source: Caffeine
- CNN: Perils of caffeine withdrawal
- Sigmon SC, Herning RI, Better W, Cadet JL, Griffiths RR. Caffeine withdrawal, acute effects, tolerance, and absence of net beneficial effects of chronic administration: cerebral blood flow velocity, quantitative EEG, and subjective effects. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2009;204(4):573-85. doi:10.1007/s00213-009-1489-4
- Shapiro RE. Caffeine and headaches. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2008;12(4):311-5.
- Juliano LM, Griffiths RR. A critical review of caffeine withdrawal: empirical validation of symptoms and signs, incidence, severity, and associated features. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2004;176(1):1-29. doi:10.1007/s00213-004-2000-x
- Evatt DP, Juliano LM, Griffiths RR. A brief manualized treatment for problematic caffeine use: A randomized control trial. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2016;84(2):113-21. doi:10.1037/ccp0000064
- Kole, J. & Barnhill, A. Caffeine content labeling: A missed opportunity for promoting personal and public health. Journal of Caffeine Research. 2013; 3(3); 108-113. doi: 10.1089/jcr.2013.0017.
- Mills L, Boakes RA, Colagiuri B. Placebo caffeine reduces withdrawal in abstinent coffee drinkers. J Psychopharmacol (Oxford). 2016;30(4):388-94. doi:10.1177/0269881116632374
- Rogers, P. J., Heatherley, S. V., Mullings, E. L., & Smith, J. E. Faster but not smarter: effects of caffeine and caffeine withdrawal on alertness and performance. Psychopharmacology, 226(2), 229-240. 2013 doi:10.1007/s00213-012-2889-4
- Rogers PJ, Heatherley SV, Hayward RC, Seers HE, Hill J, Kane M. Effects of caffeine and caffeine withdrawal on mood and cognitive performance degraded by sleep restriction. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2005;179(4):742-52. doi:10.1007/s00213-004-2097-y
Writer Bio
Jerry Shaw writes for Spice Marketing and LinkBlaze Marketing. His articles have appeared in Gannett and American Media Inc. publications. He is the author of "The Complete Guide to Trust and Estate Management" from Atlantic Publishing.