Caffeine Withdrawal

Caffeine Side Effects

Do you suffer from caffeine withdrawal? Caffeine headache is one of many effects of caffeine.

Caffeine side effects are recognised by medical researchers, and caffeine is the most widely used, active drug in the world. The intensity of the health efffects of caffeine depend on the degree of dependency and amount of caffeine typically consumed. The more a person consumes, the more severe the symptoms.

Researchers from Johns Hopkins University found six groups of common withdrawal symptoms:

• caffeine headache
• drowsiness and fatigue
• depression and irritability
• concentration problems
• nausea and vomiting
• muscle pain or stiffness

In studies, half the people experienced caffeine headache and 13% had significant levels of distress and impairment.

Symptoms usually come on 12 to 24 hours after caffeine consumption stops, peaking in intensity over one or two days, up to nine days. Although the severity of symptoms was higher with the amount of caffeine consumed daily, some people experienced symptoms after withdrawing from 100mg per day - the amount of caffeine contained in about one cup of brewed coffee.

The researchers also found that people consumed caffeine regularly in order to avoid withdrawal symptoms. The reduction in fatigue many morning coffee drinkers experience may simply be the reversal of overnight withdrawal.

If you believe you may suffer from caffeine addiction, you can minimize the health effects of caffeine by gradually reducing your intake over a week or so. Each day reduce your consumption a bit until you are not having any at all. Be prepared for any symptoms that may accompany your actions and resolve to see it through. Be aware that some people experience withdrawal symptoms for up to nine days after they have stopped caffeine.

Source: Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2004