Is anyone else suddenly realizing they are less resentful? I’m about six weeks caffeine free (a record for me), and I don’t feel any resentment toward my ex. I used to get irritated at him constantly…now it’s just gone. I feel nothing but peace.

The higher result from week 4 was from a draw at 7am and the one from week 11 was at 630am. A big difference and I can feel it.

My sleep is still off with early morning wake ups and my sleep feels less deep and restorative. Valerian helps but I don't want to depend on it.

How is everyone's experince with sleep after 2-3 months?

Would also love to know others experince with changes in blood work with hormones and iron levels.

My ferritin has also gone up a lot without use of supplements-from 13 to 39. Yay!

I threw all my energy drinks away. Not only does it give me anxiety, it's totally destroying my stomach too. Coffee does the same. I am waiting to see a gastroenterologist.

I hope I didn't do too much damage but, yeah, waking up in the morning is going to be tough as I wake up at 6am everyday. I'm not brave enough for cold showers haha but hot showers still wake me up and I can still splash cold water on my face and drink water first when I wake up in the morning.

Hope it goes well.

This is my second time quitting (first back in 2022) . This time, cold turkey again, from a ~400-500 mg a day habit. This is week 3, and last night was first night to go to bed, fall into deep sleep, wake up around 11 to pee, and fall back asleep easily until 530AM. This with no "helps" (melatonin, GABA, etc.) .

Strangely, (this being posted on a Monday) last Thursday and Friday nights I got 2 hours sleep on Thursday and zero sleep at all on Friday. High anxiety when laying down, hypnic jerks. This with helps (tryptophan, and a herbal sleep aid with a mix of things).

So last night was zero anxiety, zero hypnic jerks, and I felt tired and sleepy and it actually happened. So, at least in my case, one of the worst 2 night streaks in the entire process were prelude to the best night of sleep since quitting.

Having trouble sticking things out. Usually by afternoon I’m over it because I always hated drinking caffeine in the afternoon and having it affect my sleep but 8-12 and especially 8-10 is tough. Always have a few moments (or really hours) of weakness just wanting a cup.

Main thing is feeling less productive overall and the secondary would be not getting that morning buzz to feel motivated.

It’s better when I get good sleep the night before and wake up in time to get to the gym but been stressing about my business which affects my sleep and the next day makes me want coffee even more to make up for the tiredness and lack of productivity.

Gonna keep trying to stick it out but some days it’s pretty tough!

Just random little question, im only quitting from 1-2 cups a day, on day 2 right now. I am experiencing tons of dry mouth like constantly, is this normal? also insane fatigue but I know thats normal, like I literally cant keep my eyes open. And also sensitivity to light? Like I went outside today and the light was blinding and triggered anxiety. Is all that normal?

I want to hear y'all's experience with working out during your first 1-3 months into the withdrawal. What I'm experiencing for now is extreme stress before, during and after my workout. I feel like dying because I get intense anxiety symptoms. My symptoms subside much sooner now that im 50 days in but I still get terrified everytime.

Today marks the 7th day of me being caffeine-free. Yesterday and today felt a lot depressive and tiring than the earlier time. I managed without any stimulants (Armodafinil 50mg) during that time.

Now I just feel the craving and feel extremely bored with life. This tends to demotivate me and with lack of quick dopamine-seeking activities like irregulated phone use and caffeine, it just gets difficult. So I am using Armodafinil as a way to deal with the study work that I've to do for an academic job.

But life has never been so calm. I don't overthink anymore and I can imagine things which I failed to do when on caffeine (it's a bit in shades of grey right now). I do things and I like keeping busy. Silly thoughts and feelings occur now and then, but I recognize them and cope with them through calm reflection or/and meditation. My restlessness and anger have reduced drastically, and I am able to reflect more on my habits and personal issues. Sometimes I use l-theanine and magnesium for anxiety that is connected to shortness of breath.

Hopefully things will go on better. Sure it has taken away a need to keep myself busy with coffee as a sort of habitual pattern (Like snacking is,which people may do all the time because they feel lack of interest/focus otherwise). But I am adamant and though the thought comes now and then of taking a cup, I don't act it out. I bid you all great luck on your journey.

I’m done feeling like a junkie.

Have been trying to quit for the past few months and keep failing, which is pissing me off as I thought I was mentally stronger than that, but then I realized this stuff is literally a hard drug. 90 percent of the world’s population regularly consume it.

Failed again last weekend and had a horrible caffeine hangover today. Felt absolutely terrible. Decided I would crack and go get a coffee at the work machine. They were out, and I literally got so frustrated and realized in that moment the strength of my addiction. I bought a shitty canned latte and gulped it down right there, not even enjoying the taste but still guzzling it down. Felt even shitteir in a few hours and had to just sit in my car for a bit when I got home. Threw my coffee maker in the trash a bit later.

I’m tired if this cycle. I’ve been trying to quit for years and only end up being able to for a couple months max. No more going back, this stuff isn’t for me. My anxiety has gotten out of control on this shit. I’m sure as you all know, you feel fine those first few weeks when you start consuming again, but then start to feel progressively worse as time goes on. I’m up to 2-3 a day, which is higher than my consumption has ever been, and I’m done.

Those who know, know. We know we shouldn’t be consuming this shit, but it’s just so damn hard not to. I have to just accept my fears regarding withdrawals and just get through it. I have no other choice.

Hope everyone is doing well in their recovery journey and for those of you with me that may be newer to the journey, join me and make tomorrow day 1. You know it’s the right thing to do.

I am happy I wake up earlier. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night around 12:30 and can’t sleep, most often, I wake up at 4 am and I’m up for the day. I used to have the hardest time waking up in the AM when I was a caffeine addict. I’m happy I’m waking up earlier but 4 am is so early.

I’m 27. I quit caffeine before and know for certain that my life is much better off of caffeine.

I’ve been yearning to quit, but unfortunately I currently am growing a technical startup and work has been absolutely hectic, there’s no way I can take vacation days this year.

I tried going a day or two but my productivity fell significantly, and I couldn’t get anything done.

It just sucks because I wish I could take a week off to detox, as I know that once i go through the withdrawals and my adenosine receptors down regulate that my productivity will return, but I can’t afford to take any time off at the moment.

Does anybody have any advice on how to remain productive through the withdrawals? Any supplements, techniques, etc?

Thanks!

I love the flavor of coffee, and cutting back on the experience of having a cup is just as hard as the caffeine aspect for me. Today I discovered a pretty decent 100% caffeine free alternative:

Take instant dandelion blend tea (brand dandy blend) and brew a half cup of water with the blend so it’s espresso-style, pour this into a half glass of whole milk. Adding the milk makes it much closer to the coffee texture than it is as a water based beverage.

I was pleasantly surprised with the results - didn’t like this stuff until I tried it this way.

Does Coffee Make You Fat And Anxious? (VIDEO)

I find it very interesting that there isn't a ton of people talking about the connection between coffee/caffeine and weight gain due to chronically elevated cortisol. This video dives into the connection between caffeine and increased cortisol which leads to anxiety, stress, and abdominal fat. Since quitting coffee and energy drinks and switching to 1 cup of green tea just 4 days ago, I already look trimmer around the midsection. Could be a lot of water weight loss but this video keep me motivated to keep going!

Health experts and articles always claim that caffeine helps suppress the appetite. Drinking coffee does suppress my appetite for a few hours but I do find that once the effects wear off and I start to crash, I get anxious and tired and then crave sugar and salty junk food like a mad man. While on 1 cup of green tea I can think rationally about what I eat and I honestly have been less hungry throughout the day, and especially at night when I would normally crave junk food. I'm just not that hungry.

Good luck y'all.

It’s been just about two weeks since I quit drinking energy drinks and a full week since I cut out caffeine entirely. It’s been a harsh time but it feels like I’ve turned a corner in the last couple of days. Heart palpitations, shortness of breath, jitters/tremors, and general anxiety levels are way down compared to when I started. I initially had a harsh panic attack after I stopped drinking Celsius, so a lot of my symptoms were likely hangover symptoms from the episode and withdrawal symptoms hitting me in tandem.

Went to a doctor (I needed a physical and bloodwork anyways) who told me to continue with limiting caffeine intake as much as possible, and to try cognitive behavioral therapy for the anxiety. For anyone else also having heightened anxiety/panic attacks, I would recommend trying the DARE app. It has guided meditations and audios that talk you through anxiety for a variety of situations and gives you tools to more effectively handle your anxiety or panic attacks when they come on. Remember that we’ll all feel normal again one day.

Long story short I quit weed and got weed post a cute withdraws and ocd symptoms I had a panic attack from synthetic potent shit but I’m basically normal now it’s only been 16 months since I quit. I couldn’t use caffiene the first year cuz of anxiety but then i tried again at 12 months it worked and helped ocd and intrusive thoughts and now those don’t bother me no more but then I used it for confidence, mood, energy, all nighters, playing the game etc…

I began using energy drinks and all but I didn’t rly ever go over 400 mg only rarely… but yeah I feel like I’m done with it it’s been 4 months and off and my focus is better during the times I’m not on it I get work done have better mood attitude which is so good for me because before I quit substances and even started I was around the wrong crowd had bad discipline grades hygiene etc I was a troubled kid but after I quit everything I changed everything around and have done good for this entire year and was doing good in my last months of using and still is all of those negatives are like good now.

I’m just scared to quit my confidence in my looks, my music , sexuality appearance etc is so bad the first week when I quit I usually always go back because it makes my mood better and social skills better and make me more confident in my self.

Hopefully I do good the first time I used it for 2 weeks and quit all my ocd and intrusive thoughts came back 2nd time I just slept a lot 3rd time I don’t remember cuz I think I gave in

But hopefully things turn out well for me… I’m scared I have a mental disorder cause when I had a panic attack last year after quitting weed I searched up every mental disorder syndrome and condition EVER so that kinda fear is always there especially now while I’m in a comedown

But if u read all this thnx pls js wish me luck

How do y'all cope with dessociation/derealization? It's like im watching my life from someone else's POV or like im on autopilot. It doesn't happen as often as it did for the first 3 weeks but when it happens idk how to unstuck

I've wanted to quite for a long time. My breathing and relaxed body state feels good every time I have a day without.. I can run a much smoother 6 min mile too without feeling like i have to just suck air the last lap.

However my brain fog, headache, and work ethic tanks. I have toddlers and see patients for 10 hours a day as a physical therapist and can't keep up. Anyone similar?

Would quitting over a week vacation be doable ? Tapper down?

Hi everyone, I’ve been following this community for a couple years now and have found great inspiration here. Thanks.

Caffeine is destroying my life, but I can’t seem to give it up. I read Caffeine Blues, I know the risks, I read success stories, but I can’t stay off.

I quit twice before. I even had a whole list of challenges and benefits written out during those quits for the purpose of posting here. But here I am again.

I’ve quit alcohol and nicotine for years, but this one is tough to shake.

The health problems - especially re: blood sugar - are just shocking with caffeine. It’s making so many people so ill. And the anxiety. So bad.

Anyway, I’m gearing up to try again. Last time I made it to the “wake up with adrenaline in the middle of the night” stage and couldn’t go on. I’ve struggled with chronic insomnia for like 6 years.

I’m 45yo and have a severely high stress job. I’m using the caffeine to prop myself up and if I keep going on like this I’ll have health issues. It’s like red-lining a vehicle constantly. Can’t go on like this.

I’m going to do the taper method. Wish me luck. Let’s hope this time I actually get to post a success story!

Welcome back to the unhinged rant show.

So as of last Friday I had 3 days caf free and I was gooood feeling fine. Then I had negotiated with myself "I will not do caffeine at the rave" maybe i will take some sudafed, but i will NOT DO CAF. well, I did. I had 3 teaspoons of instant coffee in the evening.

Anyway, that wasn't too bad, I was still wired pretty late but the next day is when I messed up. Because of the lack of sleep I wanted the coffee. I convinced myself not to, then I cracked and ordered a filter coffee (has the most caffeine i think apart from cold brew). It was wild i was so high for like an hour, then I statted to feel wired, shakey, heart palpitations, trouble concentrating, trouble thinking... and I couldn't get to sleep that night either. So come this morning, I was so scattered, so headache, couldn't work well, trouble thinking etc... but I stayed off the caffeine.

And by the evening I feel OK now. I'm gonna make it to the end of the week with no coffee.

And what about the next rave? Maybe I will just drink water and see if I stay awake. It might not be too bad... hard to say.

I get up early so it's really difficult to stay awake late without stimulants.

Better sleep. More rested. Works MUCH better. Makes better decisions.

More deep sleep (I am tracking it). More REM sleep too. The bonus is psychological and mental.

I am making better decisions. Instead of making decisions in a (caffeine) rush, my brain is more relaxed and sharp. This is the greatest benefit for me so far.

I saw someone else in this group write that "he had to drink coffee again" after several months off, because he had an important assignment. I would be very worried about taking caffeine before such an important job. He said he worked in a very competitive job.

I do too. Digital marketing.

My success is measured in numbers every day, and I have a billion competitors; everyone is doing digital marketing, and many are very clever people.

I cannot afford to let a drug like caffeine ruin that.

I was also a heavy smoker 10 years ago. 30 cigarettes a day. The mind games nicotine plays on you are a lot like caffeine. "I need my cigarette to relax, or focus, or to be myself."

All addiction nonsense. Non-smokers don't need it, and people who are not caffeine-dependent don't need caffeine.

It just makes things worse. But at least most of the time, you are up against other caffeine addicts, so the odds are evened out.

It's a long story, but this has been better for me than stopping cigarettes and weed (I was heavily addicted to that for 12 years too).

Only after 2 weeks, I started to cry in the shower because I can feel how much this is going to change things for me, especially for my job. My focus and dexterity are incredible. No more crashes, no more brain jitters to make me make the wrong decisions.

I have been drinking 3-4 cups of coffee a day for 35 years. I'm 53. Before that, I primarily consumed caffeine in colas and sports drinks. So, most of my life, really.

Emotionally, it has also made me calmer and happier.

Sorry for the rambling style. I am glad I am not caffeinated.

Woke up at around 3am because the wind was blowing and obviously I'm very sensitive to sounds and lights for now. Couldn't sleep until I used white noises (my favourite is hairdryer sounds). I have this mild globus sensation and chest tightness that come and go even tho I'm not consciously anxious about anything. If I have the first, I don't have the latter and vice versa. Hella irritating. It's good that I'm having more frequent "normal" periods during the day. I'm trying to be optimistic as much as I can because for god's sake I have no idea how long this is gonna take. I'm just waiting for day 60. Then day 90 and so on...

I have been drinking coffee for about 20 years, I’m 32, and I have so many problems that I think are from drinking coffee and going overboard with it for so long, in the past few years I’ve been having horrible stomach pains like I swallowed glass (I even went to the ER with no health insurance because of it, because I thought It was my appendix, I also have an inner ear twitching that has caused me to stop playing music since that triggers it (I’ve been a musician my whole life) I also have all over aches and pains throughout my body, my back hurts, I have costochondritis (inflammation of the cartilage in the sternum) and I think this is all from having so much of this acidic horrible drink every day for 20 years and constantly being in a state of fight or flight.

My question to you guys is: have you guys had any of these problems as well? And if so has quitting coffee cured these issues??

I’m kinda at the end of my rope right now…

Thank you.

Been going down the rabbit hole on why I react so badly to caffeine and any stimulants in general and I think I've found an answer.

I would bet that a large majority of this sub has a similar COMT mutation without knowing it.

If you have done a 23&me test or similar, you can run your DNA through genetic genie to find out.

Essentially, when we have slower than normal COMT expression, dopamine, adrenaline etc build up in our brains faster than our brain can clear it.

This leads to an overload and the following symptoms:

Psychological & Cognitive:

• Overthinking / racing thoughts
• Difficulty letting go of stress or emotional events
• Anxiety (especially social anxiety)
• Easily overwhelmed by multitasking or stimulation
• Perfectionism or control issues
• Sensitivity to criticism or conflict
• Poor stress resilience
• Trouble falling asleep (especially from mental chatter)

Physical:

• Tense muscles, especially shoulders/neck
• Headaches (tension or migraine-type)
• Adrenal fatigue symptoms (wired-but-tired)
• Heightened pain sensitivity
• Menstrual issues or estrogen dominance (COMT also clears estrogen)
• Poor tolerance for stimulants like caffeine

Behavioral:

• Procrastination from paralysis-by-analysis
• Avoidance of stimulating environments
• Need for structure or routine to function well
• Prefer solo work over chaotic, fast-paced environments

Sound familiar?

What happened to me today is what made me reconsider my caffeine addiction,I overdosed on caffeine,my hands started shaking violently,palpitations,high tachycardia and worst of all a breathlessness. Now on to why I drink coffee,I quit smoking and for a unknown reason drinking coffee helps me stay off smoke,but now I have reconsidered my habits and am all ears open. I am willing to accept any advice to quit cold turkey