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Like many, I started drinking coffee partway through college and continued enjoying it when I started working. However I started noticing it triggered some pret

Like many, I started drinking coffee partway through college and continued enjoying it when I started working. However I started noticing it triggered some pretty bad anxiety and muscular tension and made me extremely moody. I stopped for a while. I finally found some excellent decaf (Ethiopian Sidamo at Zombie Runner [1] in Palo Alto), so I can continue indulging the habit. [1] http://www.zombierunner.com/store/categories/cafe_zombie/coffee_beans/product1251.html http://www.zombierunner.com/store/categories/cafe_zombie/cof...

shardling 14y ago
This was exactly my experience. It seemed to take a few months for my body to transition off caffeine. I recommend switching to tea for the first couple of weeks, since that'll at least prevent the terrible headaches. I definitely feel healthier for quitting the habit, though I still miss "real" coffee sometimes. :(
- alexkus 14y ago
  It was 'just' a solid week of bad sleep, horrendous headaches and night sweats for me when stopping. Frightening to think of those withdrawl symptoms for such a seemingly innocuous drug.
  - thesz 14y ago
    I once did an experiment and went completely caffeine free. First three days I was sleepy, then I recovered to exactly the same productivity level. Then I decided to make me more productive and drunk a 0.25 Adrenaline Rush. My symptoms were nothing less than caffeine overdose. I wanted to work but was unable to do anything because of total lack of focus. So I wanted to sleep and unable to sleep because fo hyperalertness. Then I wanted to work because I cannot sleep, etc. The cycle lasted for six hours at least and it was very unpleasant. I was even unable to read! Right now I take a long walk after work if I want to be really productive next day.
  - swah 14y ago
    I'm going the last 5 days w/o coffee and felt no difference at all regarding anxiety, focus, sleep & headaches. I normally drank 3 cups in the morning (200ml each I'd guess) and 3 after lunch.
    - aaronblohowiak 14y ago
      Caffeine sensitivity is highly variable between individuals. I am both sensitive and a slow metabolizer; if I had 6 cups of coffee in one day my guts would be churning and I would not be able to get anything done.
sopooneo 14y ago
I second on the "moody". I've never seen it written about, but, even apart from alertness, caffeine makes me extremely emotional. Bouncing happy to sad in ways I otherwise wouldn't. And at high levels, I blaze with inspiration... with ideas that all turn out to be garbage on later review.
cma 14y ago
Try combining it with L-Theanine supplements.. Completely removes the tension effects for me.

shardling 14y ago

This was exactly my experience. It seemed to take a few months for my body to transition off caffeine. I recommend switching to tea for the first couple of weeks, since that'll at least prevent the terrible headaches. I definitely feel healthier for quitting the habit, though I still miss "real" coffee sometimes. :(

alexkus 14y ago
It was 'just' a solid week of bad sleep, horrendous headaches and night sweats for me when stopping. Frightening to think of those withdrawl symptoms for such a seemingly innocuous drug.
- thesz 14y ago
  I once did an experiment and went completely caffeine free. First three days I was sleepy, then I recovered to exactly the same productivity level. Then I decided to make me more productive and drunk a 0.25 Adrenaline Rush. My symptoms were nothing less than caffeine overdose. I wanted to work but was unable to do anything because of total lack of focus. So I wanted to sleep and unable to sleep because fo hyperalertness. Then I wanted to work because I cannot sleep, etc. The cycle lasted for six hours at least and it was very unpleasant. I was even unable to read! Right now I take a long walk after work if I want to be really productive next day.
- swah 14y ago
  I'm going the last 5 days w/o coffee and felt no difference at all regarding anxiety, focus, sleep & headaches. I normally drank 3 cups in the morning (200ml each I'd guess) and 3 after lunch.
  - aaronblohowiak 14y ago
    Caffeine sensitivity is highly variable between individuals. I am both sensitive and a slow metabolizer; if I had 6 cups of coffee in one day my guts would be churning and I would not be able to get anything done.

sopooneo 14y ago

I second on the "moody". I've never seen it written about, but, even apart from alertness, caffeine makes me extremely emotional. Bouncing happy to sad in ways I otherwise wouldn't. And at high levels, I blaze with inspiration... with ideas that all turn out to be garbage on later review.

cma 14y ago

Try combining it with L-Theanine supplements.. Completely removes the tension effects for me.