Caffeine is a chemical \u2014\u00a0one you can build a tolerance to, wane yourself off of, and start to physically depend on. A caffeine addiction is talked about lightly, but your body actually can exhibit withdrawal symptoms when you don\u2019t\u00a0get your fix. You won\u2019t get the shakes or anything (for the most part), but you will experience some shockingly strong symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t let that scare you away from an attempt to quit, though. There are lots of positive sides to breaking the habit, including but not limited to: earning back\u00a0your Starbucks budget, feeling more balanced in the morning, saving the extra sugar from\u00a0some of your sweeter coffee add-ins, and breaking free of a dependent (and maybe even destructive) relationship with one of the world\u2019s most\u00a0commonly consumed chemicals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So if you\u2019re planning to take on the challenge, keep that end goal in mind. But knowing what to expect is probably a good idea before you get started. Here are some things that will likely happen to your body once you quit the substance for good.Next<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019ll have a headache<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Headaches are one of the most commonly reported symptoms of caffeine withdrawal \u2014 which is ironic because\u00a0drinking too much caffeine can give you a headache, too. Caffeine causes headaches\u00a0when you don\u2019t drink enough water\u00a0with your\u00a0coffee<\/a>; you can become dehydrated. But caffeine withdrawal headaches are caused by changes in blood flow to the brain. Caffeine narrows your blood vessels over time, slowing down circulation. But once you abstain from caffeine for good, these blood vessels expand again, resulting in a sudden uptick in blood flow that can result in a headache. Don\u2019t worry, though \u2014 these headaches disappear once your brain adapts.Next<\/p>\n\n\n\n You know that nasty feeling before you\u2019ve had your morning cup of coffee<\/a>? Once you quit it for good, your irritable demeanor just might last all day. Regular coffee drinkers are accustomed to the mood-boosting effect caffeine can have on the body. Once you yank it away, you\u2019re likely to feel cranky and short-tempered. But don\u2019t worry; once the withdrawal ends, you\u2019ll feel more chipper than ever!Next<\/p>\n\n\n\n Duh. You\u2019ve been relying on caffeine to give you an energy boost for so long! Your body is counting on the spike to\u00a0get you through your morning fatigue-free. Caffeine blocks your brain\u2019s receptors of adenosine, a neurotransmitter that tells your body to feel drowsy when it\u2019s low on energy. So when you quit, there\u2019s going to be some adjusting to do.\u00a0Studies<\/a>\u00a0have consistently shown that habitual caffeine drinkers go through a period of increased tiredness when they quit. This won\u2019t last forever! So long as you\u2019re getting enough sleep and\u00a0eating nutritious foods<\/a>, you should feel energized soon \u2014 no caffeinated vice required.Next<\/p>\n\n\n\n But you thought caffeine worsened your anxiety \u2014 so shouldn\u2019t quitting it have a calming effect? Nope. Caffeine does increase anxiety symptoms<\/a>. But for someone who\u2019s used to a daily dose of the chemical, quitting it can have a similar effect. It\u2019s a catch-22. The only way to ease this caffeine-caused anxiety long-term is to stick with it and wean yourself off the substance completely.Next<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re looking to ease yourself off your\u00a0coffee<\/a>\u00a0addiction, maybe don\u2019t do it on a week during which you need to be especially focused. Caffeine helps people concentrate. Think about it: What do you turn to when you\u2019re having trouble getting your brain to function at work? Though\u00a0there are some foods that can help, you probably opt for caffeine to help kick it into gear. It works because caffeine boosts levels of adrenaline \u2014 a hormone that puts your brain on red alert, improving your heart rate and stimulating your brain. Without coffee as a crutch, you might find it more difficult to focus and get things done.Next<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are all kinds of\u00a0reasons you might be craving sugar; no matter where it comes from, the best way to deal with a sugar craving is to indulge it.\u00a0Suppressing your cravings could backfire\u00a0by making them stronger, resulting in an all-out binge later on. But caffeine can cause a sugar craving because of its interaction with cortisol, a stress hormone. Changes in cortisol can alter blood sugar levels, causing unexpected cravings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even if you\u2019re quitting caffeine for the sake of your mental health, it might take a hit at first when you first attempt to quit. Adenosine, the same neurotransmitter that makes you feel tired, can also result in a depressed mood. Caffeine normally blocks the brain\u2019s receptors for this chemical, causing you to feel more awake\u00a0and happier. Once you quit caffeine, there\u2019s nothing to stop its depressive effect.\u00a0One study<\/a>\u00a0showed that women who consumed\u00a0coffee<\/a>\u00a0regularly had a 20 percent lower risk of depression than those who rarely drank coffee. Of course, this could have to do with\u00a0coffee\u2019s other health benefits\u00a0from antioxidants; but caffeine may play a role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Caffeine is a drug, and it has withdrawal symptoms not unlike other more dangerous substances. Tremors are included in this list. While your caffeine addiction has to be quite severe to experience this side effect, tremors of your hands and general jittery feelings may occur. Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system. If you overdo it on caffeine, you could feel shaky and anxious. But when you quit it, this same system is affected and you may experience a similar effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Caffeine, like alcohol,\u00a0salt, and other commonly consumed substances, can dehydrate you. Quitting it can help you to\u00a0stay more hydrated, and stay healthier as a result. But that doesn\u2019t mean you can start drinking less water \u2014 you really need to\u00a0make sure you\u2019re drinking enough each day!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Caffeine increases your adrenaline, your alertness, your heart rate\u2026 and your blood pressure.\u00a0Studies show<\/a>\u00a0that even moderate amounts of caffeine can result in\u00a0an increased blood pressure, potentially contributing to disease risk. Once you wean yourself off of the drug, however, your blood pressure will likely decrease \u2014 so long as you\u2019re also\u00a0eating well to prevent hypertension.Next<\/p>\n\n\n\n No matter when you drink it, there\u2019s likely still some caffeine left in your system by the time you go to sleep. Caffeine has a half-life of four to six hours in your bloodstream \u2014 meaning half of the concentration you consumed is probably still in your system.\u00a0If you\u2019re someone who struggles to fall asleep at night, caffeine could be the culprit for your insomnia.\u00a0Studies show<\/a>\u00a0that people who quit caffeine end up sleeping for longer and increasing their sleep quality.\u00a0Sleep-deprivation can seriously affect your health, so this might make all the effort of quitting worthwhile.<\/p>\n\n\n\nYou\u2019ll be cranky<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\nYou\u2019ll feel tired at first<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\nYou\u2019ll feel anxious and stressed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\nConcentrating will become more difficult<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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istockphoto.com<\/p>\n\n\n\nYou could start to crave sugar<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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istockphoto.com<\/p>\n\n\n\nYou could become depressed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\nYou might get tremors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\nYou\u2019ll feel more hydrated<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\nYour blood pressure decreases<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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istockphoto.com<\/p>\n\n\n\nYour sleep cycle will become more regular<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\nYour teeth won\u2019t look as yellow<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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istockphoto.com<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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istockphoto.com<\/p>\n\n\n\n