Caffeine Withdrawl, Effects, and more!

[smh31]

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.

This study examined caffeine's acute and withdrawal effects in moderate caffeine consumers (mean = 379 mg/day caffeine) to compare the relative contributions each might have to caffeine reinforcement. Subjects were caffeine restricted on the night before each of three sessions, which generally occurred at weekly intervals; these restrictions lasted until the session was completed approximately 19 h later. During the first two sessions, subjects received either placebo or caffeine (each subject's average daily intake). These two conditions occurred using a double-blind, quasi-random, crossover design. At the end of each session subjects completed the POMS, a caffeine withdrawal questionnaire, and a Multiple-Choice Form on which subjects made a series of discrete choices between receiving the drug again or receiving varying amounts of money. This form also included negative money amounts to assess how much subjects would forfeit to avoid placebo (e.g., withdrawal symptoms after placebo). During the third session, one of the previous choices was randomly selected and the consequence of that choice was implemented. Placebo increased self-reported feelings of "worn out," "headache," and "flu-like feelings," and decreased "alert," "upset stomach," "helpful," and "well-being" relative to caffeine. On the Multiple-Choice Forms, subjects chose to receive caffeine rather than an average of $0.38 and to forfeit $2.51 to avoid receiving placebo again. "Headache" was significantly correlated with amount of money forfeited to avoid placebo. These results suggest that, under these conditions, choice of caffeine is more potently controlled by avoiding withdrawal than it is by the positive effects of caffeine.
Pretty good study, shows how bad caffeine can get. I wonder what this holds in stock for most of us!

[smh31]

Wageningen Centre for Food Sciences, Nutrition and Health Programme, Wageningen, Netherlands. petra.verhoef@wur.nl

BACKGROUND: A high plasma total homocysteine concentration is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Consumption of unfiltered or filtered coffee raises total homocysteine concentrations in healthy volunteers. The responsible compound, however, is unknown. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to determine whether caffeine explains the homocysteine-raising effect of coffee. DESIGN: Forty-eight subjects aged 19-65 y completed this randomized crossover study with 3 treatments, each lasting 2 wk. Subjects consumed 6 capsules providing 870 mg caffeine/d (test treatment), 0.9 L paper-filtered coffee providing approximately 870 mg caffeine/d, or 6 placebo capsules. Blood samples were drawn fasting and 4 h after consumption of 0.45 L coffee or 3 capsules. RESULTS: The mean fasting plasma homocysteine concentration after the placebo treatment was 9.6 +/- 3.1 micro mol/L. The caffeine and coffee treatments increased fasting homocysteine by 0.4 micro mol/L (95% CI: 0.1, 0.7; P = 0.04), or 5%, and by 0.9 micro mol/L (95% CI: 0.6, 1.2; P = 0.0001), or 11%, respectively, compared with placebo. The increase in homocysteine concentrations 4 h after consumption of 0.45 L coffee relative to consumption of 3 placebo capsules was 19% (P = 0.0001). Caffeine treatment had a much weaker acute effect on homocysteine (4%; P = 0.09). Effects of caffeine were stronger in women than in men, but the effects of coffee did not differ significantly between men and women. CONCLUSIONS: Caffeine is partly responsible for the homocysteine-raising effect of coffee. Coffee, but not caffeine, affects homocysteine metabolism within hours after intake, although the effect is still substantial after an overnight fast.
...

[smh31]

Caffeine is the most widely consumed central-nervous-system stimulant. Three main mechanisms of action of caffeine on the central nervous system have been described. Mobilization of intracellular calcium and inhibition of specific phosphodiesterases only occur at high non-physiological concentrations of caffeine. The only likely mechanism of action of the methylxanthine is the antagonism at the level of adenosine receptors. Caffeine increases energy metabolism throughout the brain but decreases at the same time cerebral blood flow, inducing a relative brain hypoperfusion. Caffeine activates noradrenaline neurons and seems to affect the local release of dopamine. Many of the alerting effects of caffeine may be related to the action of the methylxanthine on serotonin neurons. The methylxanthine induces dose-response increases in locomotor activity in animals. Its psychostimulant action on man is, however, often subtle and not very easy to detect. The effects of caffeine on learning, memory, performance and coordination are rather related to the methylxanthine action on arousal, vigilance and fatigue. Caffeine exerts obvious effects on anxiety and sleep which vary according to individual sensitivity to the methylxanthine. However, children in general do not appear more sensitive to methylxanthine effects than adults. The central nervous system does not seem to develop a great tolerance to the effects of caffeine although dependence and withdrawal symptoms are reported.
Adenosine blocks the release of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and other hormones. Caffeine blocks adenosine. This can be how caffeine causes adrenal burnout

Take a look at Omega Cerebral, seems to use Vinpocetine + Caffeine combo.

[Mike83]

nice post

[Skigazzi]

I once went through caffeine withdrawal...went from about 400-500mg daily to Squadoosh....

36 hours into it, the headache started
48 hours into it, I was fairly sure I was gonna pull out of it in no time
60 hours into it...I was fairly f**king sure I was going to die..headache like no other, nose bleed (blood vessels expanding...adenosine overload...not more caffeine to counter it)
72 hours into it....I was fine.

Regarding the cortisol effects, there is a study showing that regular users of caffeine do not have the cortisol spike that bad, still a little, but nothing like virgin caffeine drinkers.

Caffeine is such a 2 sided argument.


After 10 days of no caffeine, I started using it again, not because I had to, but because I realized I like coffee to damn much.

[Jmh80]

Batman - the caffeine withdrawal headaches are, no doubt, the WORST I've ever experienced.

[Skigazzi]

Batman - the caffeine withdrawal headaches are, no doubt, the WORST I've ever experienced.

When it was at its worst I had to go on the internet and google 'caffeine withdrawal' to make sure I wasnt dying!!! :D

[djshortsleeve]

Its definately worth putting thought and effort into pulling off caffeine if you must.

I came off it a while back and also experienced the worst headaches. In addition to headaches there seems to be an effect of attention deficit.

It took me close to 2 weeks to rid myself of the headaches.

I notice now I have such a reliance that if I dont get in some sort of caffeine, I get the headache that day.

[kevinWCU]

Yea i have been trying to quit caffeine for awhile and recently I haven't had a cup or any caffeine in two weeks. I feel great by this second week. My sleep has really improved and I recover from workouts easier. My breathing quickens back to normal without it feeling like I overdid myself. Also my anxiet is way down.

I managed to take this long of a break after reading CAFFEINE BLUES by Stephen Cherniski....a great book.

[smh31]

right now.. 350mg of WTF primed, 200-400mg of focus-xt, but im sure itll be kinda easier to pull out of it

[Bulk_Vanderhuge]

Meh I quit smoking. Caffeine is nothing.

[smh31]

Meh I quit smoking. Caffeine is nothing.
yeah lol

[kennyisnotdead]

When I used to drink coffee everyday and stopped I would get them. But the supplement version doesn't seem to affect me like that. I can stop for a week with no problems.

Take 2 hydroxycut hardcore in the morning 6am, and one after my lunch time workout 2pm is perfect to keep me going all day. and by 8 im ready to relax.

why would anyone want to quit. If its keeping you up try a lower dose and not 300mg at 4pm. I'm very sensitive to caffiene so unless I'm going for an evening jog I wont touch it after 3pm the latest.

[smh31]

When I used to drink coffee everyday and stopped I would get them. But the supplement version doesn't seem to affect me like that. I can stop for a week with no problems.

Take 2 hydroxycut hardcore in the morning 6am, and one after my lunch time workout 2pm is perfect to keep me going all day. and by 8 im ready to relax.

why would anyone want to quit. If its keeping you up try a lower dose and not 300mg at 4pm. I'm very sensitive to caffiene so unless I'm going for an evening jog I wont touch it after 3pm the latest.
yeah but after a year or two of living like that it catches up

[kennyisnotdead]

To much of anything is not a good thing your right.

I should have been more clear. I am taking alittle more because I'm dieting to lower my BMI. Starting Oct 1, I'll take 1 in the morning and thats it. 50mg of caffiene thats 1 cup of coffee. I'm going to start a NO and creatine cycle for the fall and winter.

I've read and experienced to much with caffiene having negative effects on creatine. If I see myself getting the runs from normal amounts of creatine, caffiene will be done until the late winter when I switch over.

[SFreppinitbig]

Before taking White Flood, Purple Wraath and Green Tea I hadn't really ever had caffeine. I get a huge boost of energy 30 minutes after having it and then about 2-3 hours after my workout I get real tired. Is this a wathdrawl from it? Am I having too much caffeine? I'm guessing WF may be 200 mg and Green Tea 80 mg.

[smh31]

Before taking White Flood, Purple Wraath and Green Tea I hadn't really ever had caffeine. I get a huge boost of energy 30 minutes after having it and then about 2-3 hours after my workout I get real tired. Is this a wathdrawl from it? Am I having too much caffeine? I'm guessing WF may be 200 mg and Green Tea 80 mg.

i guess WF has way more then 200 since they don't want to disclose the amount

your getting a caffeine crash, it'll go away as you adapt to caffeine more


To much of anything is not a good thing your right.

I should have been more clear. I am taking alittle more because I'm dieting to lower my BMI. Starting Oct 1, I'll take 1 in the morning and thats it. 50mg of caffiene thats 1 cup of coffee. I'm going to start a NO and creatine cycle for the fall and winter.

I've read and experienced to much with caffiene having negative effects on creatine. If I see myself getting the runs from normal amounts of creatine, caffiene will be done until the late winter when I switch over.
hm thats interesting
you believe caffeine had a bad effect on your creatine uptake?
do you think the caffeine was just making you drier?

[Nimblefinger]

I regularly drink coffee, used to be practically addicted to the stuff, but recently I've been drinking it on and off.

I think its probably best to use caffeine on and off, kinda cycling it if you will. I find it helps keep its effectiveness as a stimulant - before when I drank it all the time I could drink an espresso before bed and still sleep, whereas now if I drink a few cups of black coffee it has a stimulating effect still on me.

[kennyisnotdead]

hm thats interesting
you believe caffeine had a bad effect on your creatine uptake?
do you think the caffeine was just making you drier?

Caffeine is a diuretic and has opposite effect on creatine. There have been more studies and article around the web and print on the subject. Don't always believe just because a supplement company sells it with a cool name that it works. Lookup the ingredients on a site like wikipedia or and medical site. These ingredients are not that new, biopharm companys can come up with something new everyday but it doesn't mean they can just sell it to the general public. Most of the "state of the art" stacked supplements are worthless because some ingredients will not be absorbed by your body at the same time. A glutamine & creatine stack is a prime example. Your body can only process one of those 2 thats why cycling them at different times during the day has a greater effect.

sorry for the rant. it just amazes me how some people use supplements and know nothing but it has a cool name with 100 different things in it.

[crazymutha]

Yea i have been trying to quit caffeine for awhile and recently I haven't had a cup or any caffeine in two weeks. I feel great by this second week. My sleep has really improved and I recover from workouts easier. My breathing quickens back to normal without it feeling like I overdid myself. Also my anxiet is way down.

I managed to take this long of a break after reading CAFFEINE BLUES by Stephen Cherniski....a great book.

I skimmed through that book...and I agree with all its premises and conclusions. I still get scuked back into stimulants every time I get off of them, though! Next time I wean off stimulants, I am doing it for good!

[kevinWCU]

Yea if you read that book in detail you will be scarred to drink coffee. It says that caffeine gets clogged up and stored in all of your organs just like any other toxic substance. It also says it takes 60 days to be completely feeling the effects of not having any caffeine.
I have only been off it for two weeks, it will be interesting if I stay off it for the complete 60 days.

[smh31]

I regularly drink coffee, used to be practically addicted to the stuff, but recently I've been drinking it on and off.

I think its probably best to use caffeine on and off, kinda cycling it if you will. I find it helps keep its effectiveness as a stimulant - before when I drank it all the time I could drink an espresso before bed and still sleep, whereas now if I drink a few cups of black coffee it has a stimulating effect still on me.

yeah i guess moderation is not bad but taking it 5x a week just pre-workout isnt moderation


Yea if you read that book in detail you will be scarred to drink coffee. It says that caffeine gets clogged up and stored in all of your organs just like any other toxic substance. It also says it takes 60 days to be completely feeling the effects of not having any caffeine.
I have only been off it for two weeks, it will be interesting if I stay off it for the complete 60 days.
is it an ebook?

[smh31]

Caffeine is a diuretic and has opposite effect on creatine. There have been more studies and article around the web and print on the subject. Don't always believe just because a supplement company sells it with a cool name that it works. Lookup the ingredients on a site like wikipedia or and medical site. These ingredients are not that new, biopharm companys can come up with something new everyday but it doesn't mean they can just sell it to the general public. Most of the "state of the art" stacked supplements are worthless because some ingredients will not be absorbed by your body at the same time. A glutamine & creatine stack is a prime example. Your body can only process one of those 2 thats why cycling them at different times during the day has a greater effect.

sorry for the rant. it just amazes me how some people use supplements and know nothing but it has a cool name with 100 different things in it.
rants are good lol
i know its a diuretic but ive been taking CEE + GMS + stimulants pre-workout for a while now and its good