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Lately I've been wanting to give caffeine the ol' heave-ho! I drink roughly 3-4 cans of soda a day, which isn't as much as others might drink. Most of the time I drink and enjoy just plain water, so this isn't too much of a big deal for me... But, what is a big deal for me is when I attempt to not drink any coffee or soda. I get terrible headaches and become so mutton headed that I become a zombified mess. I really do try to break through that wall, but usually I wuss out and drink a soda. Then, within 15 minutes the headaches disappear, and I have energy. I've read a lot of articles on the net about alternatives to caffeine, but a lot of them just substitute the caffeine for drinks that still contain large amounts of sugar for energy, which is something I want to steer clear of. Is there anything you can recommend? If you were like me and made the leap to nix caffeine out of your life what did you do? Mostly I expect that I'm just going to have to buckle down and just not be a wuss about it, but I am a really active person and need energy to get through my day! 
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| # ? Nov 06, 2009 03:53 |
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| # ? Nov 22, 2009 00:31 |
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I've managed to kick the caffeine habit, and no longer have any desire for it. I only drank one or two sodas a day, though, so you may have a little bit of a harder time quitting it. What I did was replace soda with water and various juice drinks, mainly orange juice (beware the high fructose syrup juices). I did give in occasionally, but after a few months it got easier to not drink it. I also had to deal with headaches in the beginning, but now I get them even less than when I drank caffeine. These days I drink mainly water throughout the day, with some healthy snacks, and I feel fine.
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| # ? Nov 06, 2009 04:10 |
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Ease off of it. Downgrade to 3 sodas a day, 2, 1, maybe a strong tea or something, then to more regular stuff. Most tea's pretty drat good for you if you can acquire the taste for it, and the green stuff isn't all that caffeinated (has enough health benefits to outweigh it anyway).
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| # ? Nov 06, 2009 04:18 |
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This isn't really what you're looking for, since it doesn't cut down on the caffeine at all...but it's tangentially related, so it might be of use to someone else. If you're looking to cut down on caffeinated beverages as part of a desire to cut down on cost and/or intake of other ingredients (be they sugar, fat, whatever), you might want to think about caffeine pills such as No-Doz and Vivarin . 200mg/pill is a pretty standard dose, and "an average cup of coffee" is often said to contain 100mg caffeine. In any case, it's a way to get your caffeine without so much extra cost and calories.
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| # ? Nov 06, 2009 04:53 |
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If the only thing preventing you from quitting is the threat of headaches then why not just take two preemptive aspirins every day?
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| # ? Nov 06, 2009 05:22 |
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I gave up caffeine for lent one year after I realized that I just kept on downing more and more coffee at work. For about a week, I had really killer headaches - and for a few days I took some advil to deal with that. I don't recommend taking any though especially preemptively. Basically, I just powered through it, grabbing water whenever I would have had more coffee, and after three weeks I didn't get any more headaches at all. Forget about the energy thing. If you get a decent night's sleep, and eat good food you will actually have more energy during the day without the caffeine. Other tips: Both chocolate and excedrin have caffeine in them, so avoid them as well.
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| # ? Nov 06, 2009 12:48 |
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Yerba Mate works pretty well, and is more theobromine than caffeine (a slightly less potent isomer of caffeine).
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| # ? Nov 06, 2009 12:49 |
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PandaCookies posted:Is there anything you can recommend? If you were like me and made the leap to nix caffeine out of your life what did you do? Mostly I expect that I'm just going to have to buckle down and just not be a wuss about it, but I am a really active person and need energy to get through my day! Its pretty generally agreed in the Lawyer thread that Cocaine is a superior alternative to caffeine. But seriously, just tell yourself that 3-4 sodas a day is bad, regardless of the caffeine issue. I understand it goes well with Cheetos and all...
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| # ? Nov 06, 2009 13:39 |
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TheBestDeception posted:Its pretty generally agreed in the Lawyer thread that Cocaine is a superior alternative to caffeine. Hahaha, my buddy who is an accountant says the same thing! Thanks for all your replies everyone. I'm just trying to live healthier, overall. Plus, if something is powerful enough to give me headaches as a withdrawal, then it has to be something pretty negative, right?
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| # ? Nov 06, 2009 15:11 |
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I stopped caffeine cold turkey last year, which was hard because I work in a coffee shop. It was the most miserable two-and-a-half weeks of my life. Those headaches, oh man, they were awful. But, I noticed afterward how much better I felt, and when I did drink coffee, it would hit me harder. Now, I'm back on the bandwagon, drinking it up, but I don't need it everyday like I used to.
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| # ? Nov 06, 2009 15:41 |
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I worked in a dotcom for about a year. One day I noticed that I was experiencing heart palpitations. Not knowing at the time what they were I went to the hospital where they rush me in through emerge in to intensive care. Me being curious I ask why ICU, nurse explains because either my heart could stop after one of the palpitations or my heart could restart then start beating outta control until the heart is exhausted and stops beating. Either way, I needed monitoring. So I'm in the icu area, hearing the heart monitor make alarm noises each time I feel a palpitation. The doctor comes in and starts asking me normal questions: - heart troubles in your history? (no) - do you smoke? (no) - do you do drugs? (no, I've never even touched them) - do you drink? (nope, at the time I didn't drink) So the doctor asks very specifically: Have you used Cocaine recently. Laughing I tell the doctor no. He looks frustrated then asks "have you had any caffeine today?". To which I reply by explaining my daily routine at the dotcom: - 9am 1 Can of Diet Coke - 11am 1 bottle of Jolt cola - 12pm 2 cans of diet coke - 2pm 1 bottle of Jolt Cola - 5:30pm 1 can of diet coke for the road Doctor laughs, looks at the nurse and tells her "oh, it's just caffeine" and walks out. As he passes the nurse on his way to draw some of my blood he says "don't waste your time with this guy, it's only caffeine". A guy with a heart monitor comes in, puts some sensors on my chest and gives me a print out of the diagnosis which I later take to my family doctor for my records (go go Canadian helthcare  ). A nurse then comes back and explains to me that it's only caffeine OD and to avoid caffeine for the next few days and to cut back consumption. Having been scared straight I decided to cut it off cold turkey. Literally 3 days of hell, plenty of afternoon naps and some serious withdrawal pains. It took about 2 weeks to feel fine again and about 3 months for my heart palpitations to finally go away. To this day I still avoid caffeine (4 years now). Every once and a while I'll give in and get a diet coke. But generally I have to have it mid morning. Anything after 4pm means I'm up late. Even a chocolate bar means I'm staying up late because I can't sleep. Once in a blue moon I'll have a coffee on a saturday. But I'll only do it if I know I have a large project in the morning/midday because if I don't have anything to do I go crazy with energy. The only problem: In late afternoon I crash hard and need a nap. One thing I will say, getting up in the morning is 100 times easier being caffeine free. I find I don't need that jolt anymore. While I wish I had some real alternatives the best answer I can give you is the following: - Replace your beverages with Water/Herbal Tea (Rooibos is amazing!). Avoid sugars etc. - Exercise! Either in the morning before work or during lunch - 7-8 hours minimum sleep. - No booze (well, unless there's a party or something, I drink now!)
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| # ? Nov 06, 2009 23:26 |
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1. Switch to decaf coffee/diet soda This can actually trick your brain surprisingly well. 2. Exercise, especially jogging Like any drug, you can sweat it out and help diminish headaches. This is a must. 3. Plan to get lots of sleep You'll be extra tired for about a week or two. You'll sleep ten hours a day. Expect it.
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| # ? Nov 06, 2009 23:39 |
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When I was diagnosed with migraines a few years ago, my neurologist put me on an elimination diet and we figured out caffeine was a major trigger for me. This sucked, since being a sophomore in college meant I drank a ton of coffee and soda, and had to go off it cold turkey. I had headaches constantly for a week, although I did anyway which is why I was seeing a neurologist in the first place. Anyway, after I stopped ingesting caffeine I felt much better, and learned how to keep myself awake to study and work on projects without it (or anything else). I also had to learn what to avoid. If you seriously want to avoid ALL caffeine and not just large amounts, keep in mind decaf still has caffeine (enough to trigger a migraine for me), and the same with tea. Chocolate has caffeine, but if I eat it in small amounts I'm fine, so I wouldn't think it's necessary to avoid it completely. I check every label because I have a few other food triggers as well, and those are the most common food items with caffeine. I drink mostly juice and water, but if I want soda, I drink ginger ale, Sprite, or root beer. Coke makes a caffeine-free non-diet version but it's pretty hard to find (I can't have anything diet either, because artificial sweeteners are another major trigger, which is unfortunate because they're in loving everything.) Forgot to add: Barq's is the only root beer I know of that does have caffeine, and unfortunately is carried in a lot of restaurants, so I always have to ask what the brand is. Rhumboogie fucked around with this message at Nov 07, 2009 around 00:50 |
| # ? Nov 07, 2009 00:26 |
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Sunshine Mix posted:In any case, it's a way to get your caffeine without so much extra cost and calories. You are aware that coffee doesn't have calories either, right?
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| # ? Nov 07, 2009 00:43 |
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The Cleaner posted:1. Switch to decaf coffee/diet soda This worked really well for me to kick the habit in the first couple of weeks after I gave up. Decaf coffee and tea taste just like the real thing too which helped with the cravings. I gave up caffeine about four or five months ago and have only succumbed once since. But since I was drunk at a music festival at stupid o'clock in the morning, I forgave myself. Watch out if you're buying premixed alcoholic drinks - some of those contain caffeine that you might not expect to.
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| # ? Nov 07, 2009 00:50 |
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You might want to consider nicotine. Though it has a different mechanism of action, it is a much more potent stimulant. It has many benefits, including reducing stress and anxiety and increasing focus and alertness. It's an excellent nootropic, though it has a relatively short mechanism of action. If you don't want to smoke, you might consider checking out the snus thread. Snus is a much safer form of tobacco. You might also consider an electronic cigarette. Just note that nicotine is very addictive, like caffeine, though possibly less so.
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| # ? Nov 07, 2009 01:50 |
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Paramemetic posted:You might want to consider nicotine. Though it has a different mechanism of action, it is a much more potent stimulant. It has many benefits, including reducing stress and anxiety and increasing focus and alertness. It's an excellent nootropic, though it has a relatively short mechanism of action. This is very terrible advice. You are suggesting he trade one addiction for another.
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| # ? Nov 07, 2009 02:07 |
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Jurand posted:This is very terrible advice. You are suggesting he trade one addiction for another. He should take up world of warcraft instead. No more trouble staying awake!
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| # ? Nov 07, 2009 02:23 |
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Paramemetic posted:Just note that nicotine is very addictive, like caffeine, though possibly less so. Do you have any sources that say caffeine is more addictive than nicotine? I'm almost certain it is the other way around. Or was that post sarcasm? Anyway, I've always tried to avoid caffeine because I'm not comfortable relying a drug to function. I've used many other drugs (mostly non-addictive, besides nicotine and alcohol), because I don't mind using a drug to have fun, but the idea of needing a drug to function kind of bothers me. I'd recommend just trying to quit caffeine without replacing it. I feel like poo poo whenever I wake up but after an hour I feel alright. You'll probably feel like extra-poo poo while your quitting but afterward you should hopefully be able to function better.
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| # ? Nov 07, 2009 03:03 |
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Paramemetic posted:You might want to consider nicotine. Indeed, great advice! Nicotine alone might not be enough, though. It lacks the strength and longevity that you will need to keep functioning at 100% in spite of the fatigue brought on by caffeine withdrawal. I recommend methamphetamine, administered intravenously if you want the best outcome. Make sure you have some heroin on hand to help you out when that wears off. Or you could just find a couple days where you have a clear schedule and sleep off the nasty part of the withdrawal. Just take some over-the-counter poo poo to help with the headaches, and give in to the fatigue. Sleep is your best friend here. Cold turkey is the best way to go about it, really. Don't have anything caffeinated in your house when you do this. Caffeine is nasty addictive, despite its availability and legality. Good luck.
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| # ? Nov 07, 2009 03:52 |
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Just take a week when you don't have much going on and go cold turkey. It really sucks but it's the only way to wean off it.
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| # ? Nov 07, 2009 03:59 |
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I quit caffeine cold turkey two years ago. My experience was total hell for a week. I got aches all around my body from dilated blood vessels (part of withdrawal). Cardio actually eased this pain. So did ibuprofin. Sleep is really important too. Basically, you'll be a zombie and in pain for a week and then you're clean. If you want alternatives to caffeinated sodas, theres plenty of caffeine free sodas like sprite, ginger ale, caffeine free coke/pepsi, root beer, etc.
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| # ? Nov 07, 2009 17:53 |
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PT6A posted:You are aware that coffee doesn't have calories either, right? If you drink it black, sure. A lot of people like cream and sugar, however.
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| # ? Nov 07, 2009 19:27 |
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Don't replace caffeine with anything similar to "boost" you -- it's just empty calories and/or sweet flavor that will have a negative effect on your body. Just drink water, its really what's best for you. If you need a hot drink when its cold out, red tea (roiboos) or some other herbal tea would be nice. Get some really nice mint tea -- get the actual dried mint leafs, it's awesome.
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| # ? Nov 07, 2009 20:40 |
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dividebyzero posted:Yerba Mate works pretty well, and is more theobromine than caffeine (a slightly less potent isomer of caffeine). Seconding this. It's easy to make, not expensive and tastes great, even when it's cold. Has anyone noticed that Mate is yellowish green when hot but turns darker green when it gets cold?
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| # ? Nov 07, 2009 21:18 |
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L5 Death posted:Seconding this. It's easy to make, not expensive and tastes great, even when it's cold. Has anyone noticed that Mate is yellowish green when hot but turns darker green when it gets cold? I don't even know what Yerba Mate is, but from your description I have to wonder why anyone would want to drink something that turns from yellowish green to some dark shade depending on how hot it is...
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| # ? Nov 07, 2009 21:24 |
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Yerba Mate is a herbal tea, which is made from the leaves of a plant that grows in... South America? It's low on tannins, so you can brew it for a long time and it won't affect the taste. Taste is quite unique, too. Personally I've replaced my morning coffee with Mate and haven't looked back. I have also noticed that it helps on caffeine headaches, but won't induce it if you stop drinking it. (That could just be my pro-mate mentality  )You could also try green tea, but the brewing can be a bit difficult. But when you get the knack for it, green tea is a good choice. It soothes the nerves, invigorates and actually helps you concentrate.
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| # ? Nov 08, 2009 00:22 |
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Danger - Octopus! posted:This worked really well for me to kick the habit in the first couple of weeks after I gave up. Decaf coffee and tea taste just like the real thing too which helped with the cravings. I gave up caffeine about four or five months ago and have only succumbed once since. But since I was drunk at a music festival at stupid o'clock in the morning, I forgave myself. Watch out if you're buying premixed alcoholic drinks - some of those contain caffeine that you might not expect to. I accidentally quit caffeine this way when I went to a different grocery store and accidentally bought a huge amount of decaf coffee. I drank it for 2 months straight without noticing it was decaf, I just noticed that I was a lot more tired than usual and that I could drink massive amounts of coffee without any "side effects". I felt like an idiot, but the taste was exactly the same, and I didn't have to alter my morning routine (I believe a good deal of a caffeine addiction is the mentality of waking up and having a steaming hot drink-even the smell of my coffee brewing makes me feel better about getting up early). Since then, I've taken to modulating my caffeine intake by mixing the decaf and regular. On days when I need lots of energy, it's all regular, but on days where I still want it with breakfast but really can just chill, mostly decaf. That might be a good way to come down slowly: buy some decaf and start mixing it into your morning brew spoonful by spoonful.
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| # ? Nov 08, 2009 01:14 |
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