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Amusing article :) -- but in all seriousness I have been subject to many of the effects of caffeine overdose. Some days I might drink over 800 mg (the rough eq

Amusing article :) -- but in all seriousness I have been subject to many of the effects of caffeine overdose. Some days I might drink over 800 mg (the rough equivalent of 8 cups of coffee), via energy drinks, soda, and/or espresso. My stomach suffered a lot from the acidity, including acid reflux and damage to my stomach lining (mostly from soda - also, inconclusively, I suspect my appendicitis may have been related to this abuse). I would undergo "panic attacks" - i.e. adrenaline rushes, especially after exercising or during the summer and sometimes sweat like crazy in public. My sleep hours became backwards since I was self-employed - I would wake up at night and sleep through the day most of the time. I even tried quitting once for about a month, but could not handle the constant fatigue. All in the name of keep my mental gears turning to be a "better" programmer :)

jwilliams 15y ago
Not sure if you're serious, but that sounds pretty extreme. In my experience after a week or two off caffeine my energy levels actually improve & are more sustainable (although everyone's metabolism is different; reason why we all need to experiment for ourselves). Did you try changing/hacking your diet and sleep cycles in the same process? I've found sugar problematic if I'm not on caffeine.
- gavanwoolery 15y ago
  Yeah I am serious - I tried a number of things but at least my state is not so extreme anymore. I have quit soda and energy drinks, and only drink 3 shots of espresso (maximum) per day, which is under 300 mg typically (within the "acceptable" range for caffeine intake). I try to minimize my sugar as well and do not put any in my espresso, just milk.
jamii 15y ago
I had absolutely the same experience. Quitting caffeine entirely made me so much happier and healthier. I sleep better, I can concentrate more easily and I don't get irritable like I used to. I felt faster witted and more productive when drinking coffee but empirically actually got less done.
- Produce 15y ago
  Same thing for me. Caffeine only seems to boost capability in real terms when used sparingly (once a week or two). Otherwise, one becomes dependent on it and is simply medicating withdrawals which makes them feel like they're more focused when in reality they are simply no longer withdrawing. It's the classic drug addiction cycle but, given the comparative (with harder drugs) lack of serious side effects, it's generally considered to be safe. For people like me, however, the side effects outweigh the benefits 9 times out of 10 since it just makes me anxious and encourages fight or flight responses where they're not necessary.
fullmoon 15y ago
Couldn't you switch to caffeine tablets re: acidity?

jwilliams 15y ago

Not sure if you're serious, but that sounds pretty extreme. In my experience after a week or two off caffeine my energy levels actually improve & are more sustainable (although everyone's metabolism is different; reason why we all need to experiment for ourselves). Did you try changing/hacking your diet and sleep cycles in the same process? I've found sugar problematic if I'm not on caffeine.

gavanwoolery 15y ago
Yeah I am serious - I tried a number of things but at least my state is not so extreme anymore. I have quit soda and energy drinks, and only drink 3 shots of espresso (maximum) per day, which is under 300 mg typically (within the "acceptable" range for caffeine intake). I try to minimize my sugar as well and do not put any in my espresso, just milk.

jamii 15y ago

I had absolutely the same experience. Quitting caffeine entirely made me so much happier and healthier. I sleep better, I can concentrate more easily and I don't get irritable like I used to. I felt faster witted and more productive when drinking coffee but empirically actually got less done.

Produce 15y ago
Same thing for me. Caffeine only seems to boost capability in real terms when used sparingly (once a week or two). Otherwise, one becomes dependent on it and is simply medicating withdrawals which makes them feel like they're more focused when in reality they are simply no longer withdrawing. It's the classic drug addiction cycle but, given the comparative (with harder drugs) lack of serious side effects, it's generally considered to be safe. For people like me, however, the side effects outweigh the benefits 9 times out of 10 since it just makes me anxious and encourages fight or flight responses where they're not necessary.

fullmoon 15y ago

Couldn't you switch to caffeine tablets re: acidity?