Quitting caffeine

[PurpleUrkel]

I recommend getting off caffeine. It isn't easy, but it is well worth it.

Can confirm. Followed IIMT's advice starting about 3 weeks ago. Lower blood pressure, and sleeping 2 hours less yet sleeping deeper and feeling more rested (in part, because I no longer have to get up at night to urinate). I'm also getting more productive work hours in as I'm not "crashing" around 3pm and feeling tired and so I'm finding it easier to carry on with work until 5 or 6 with no problem.

Found a great Colombian organic Swiss water decaf that tastes just as good as the caffeinated stuff and being a lover of coffee this has really helped. Thus, for me, getting off caffeine was easy compared to cigarettes and alcohol.

 

[Mrs TexasJenn]

I have a double shot of espresso every morning and that's it. Occasionally I'll have a decaf cappucino later in the day. I always wanted a decent espresso machine and my husband got me one our first Christmas together I love it so much and it tastes so much better than regular coffee that we took that machine on a road trip back to Texas once haha. We also once took it to a church coffee hour after a service at our deacon's house and I made lattes and cappuccinos for dozens of people, one at a time - that was fun. Hubby has a special way of making it so it tastes the best, and he delights in making my morning cup and bringing it to me in bed. Most mornings we do one of my favorite things - coffee and cuddles. It's the BEST! (He rarely drinks coffee.)

On Sundays, I make a cup of french press coffee in a thermos to take to church and have after communion. Their coffee is ok, but this way I can use my healthier monkfruit sweetener and keto creamer with no junk in it (nutpods).

I've tried stints of replacing my morning coffee with decaf, and after a short period of withdrawal with headaches and fatigue, it was fine. Personally, I didn't experience any of the benefits some of you have described, but I probably didn't do it long enough. I'm curious to try it... someday.

 

[Mrs TexasJenn]

Inspired by this thread and because I've been having trouble sleeping lately, I've gradually replaced 75% of the coffee in my morning double shot with decaf. I still get the enjoyment of my morning espresso, I don't miss the caffeine at all, and I do notice my sleep is improving and mood and energy seem to be more balanced and stable. I appreciate y'all!

 

[thinkreadwritecode]

I've been off caffeine for about 3 months now. I second the discovery of not crashing at 2-3pm. I'm just... fine, all day long. I never feel sleepy or groggy anymore. When I get up in the morning, I'm just awake, I don't need time to "wake up". If I miss sleep for whatever reason, I can still function the next day, which never used to be the case. I sleep through the night, I never get up to pee anymore. I noticed my urge to pee, the discomfort when you really have to go pee, doesn't occur. Even if I hold it for hours, it's never really that bad. I never have gut issues anymore. I had struggled with IBS most of my life, and it seems, well, gone. Between eating carnivore and not taking in any caffeine, my gut is never upset anymore. I also don't get butterflies like I used to, just for no reason, to feel nervous. When I am nervous about something it doesn't feel as intense and it doesn't affect my guts. This has allowed me to face difficult situations without my body betraying me.

I initially quit caffeine to stop the diuretic effect, but the other effects are enough to make me not want to go back. I don't even feel tempted. I've also stayed away from carbonated drinks, even fizzy water. Now I'm a boring healthy person who just drinks water and milk, and my treat is a cup of decaf, but only on the weekend. Not even sure if I'll keep that up, I might switch to some non-caffeinated tea for a hot drink.

 

[It_Is_My_Time]

I've been off caffeine for about 3 months now. I second the discovery of not crashing at 2-3pm. I'm just... fine, all day long. I never feel sleepy or groggy anymore. When I get up in the morning, I'm just awake, I don't need time to "wake up". If I miss sleep for whatever reason, I can still function the next day, which never used to be the case. I sleep through the night, I never get up to pee anymore. I noticed my urge to pee, the discomfort when you really have to go pee, doesn't occur. Even if I hold it for hours, it's never really that bad. I never have gut issues anymore. I had struggled with IBS most of my life, and it seems, well, gone. Between eating carnivore and not taking in any caffeine, my gut is never upset anymore. I also don't get butterflies like I used to, just for no reason, to feel nervous. When I am nervous about something it doesn't feel as intense and it doesn't affect my guts. This has allowed me to face difficult situations without my body betraying me.

I initially quit caffeine to stop the diuretic effect, but the other effects are enough to make me not want to go back. I don't even feel tempted. I've also stayed away from carbonated drinks, even fizzy water. Now I'm a boring healthy person who just drinks water and milk, and my treat is a cup of decaf, but only on the weekend. Not even sure if I'll keep that up, I might switch to some non-caffeinated tea for a hot drink.

I myself only drink water, and a blended water-lemon-ginger root drink in the morning. I don't miss anything at all, I feel so much better. The reason I have women in their 20's interested in me is I have the confidence of a guy almost 50 but I look closer to 35 and there is no doubt genetics play a large role in that, but also the diet and nutrition is important as well. And caffeine drying out the skin, and carbonated drinks doing their damage, are both good things to avoid as we grow older.

With all this said, one thing I have noticed recently, after quitting caffeine, is I am way less on edge. Things that used to bother me, bother me much less. I feel less stressed and less worried about getting things done. When I do get stressed or frustrated, it doesn't feel the same, it feels more like a minor annoyance whereas in the past I would feel full adrenaline rush and rage. Stressing the adrenal glands everyday seems like a very unhealthy activity.

Our society is evil and probably considering caffeine and processed food to be "acceptable", is the first big battle we must have with ourselves against this evil society.