The most popular and socially acceptable drug in the world is caffeine.  It’s mostly consumed in tea and coffee but is also present in cola drinks, cocoa, certain headache pills, diet pills and potent stimulants.

Rapidly absorbed into the body, it reaches all body tissues in five minutes, peaks in the blood at 30 minutes and has a half-life in the body of about three and a half hours. It is rapidly metabolised in the liver before being excreted via the kidneys.

Caffeine is a potent stimulant of the brain and heart muscle. It elevates mood and alertness but has side effects like irritability, anxiety, panic, accelerated pulse, elevated blood pressure, diuresis and acid stomach. It also depletes the adrenalin, noradrenalin and dopamine neurotransmitters, leaving us with a foggy brain, fatigue, lack of concentration; lack of motivation and  mood swings after the caffeine effect wears off.

It’s the world’s most widely used mood-altering drug and yet we proceed to ingest gallons of this addictive toxic substance daily and wonder why we have feelings of flatness, lethargy and a myriad of other mental, emotional and physical health issues.

In moderate doses, caffeine postpones fatigue and increases alertness and talkativeness. Regular use of more than 350 mg a day leads to physical dependence. Interruption of use can lead to withdrawal symptoms, the most prominent of which is severe headache. Regular use of more than 600 mg a day (approximately 9 cups of percolated coffee) may cause chronic insomnia, breathlessness, persistent anxiety and depression, mild delirium and stomach upset.

It may also cause heart disease. Death is extremely rare.

I must admit that I start my day with 2 coffees followed by a protein breakfast. I might have 2 more cups of coffee throughout the day but stop drinking coffee by 3.00 pm to avoid a sleeplessness night. I will be happier when I cut down to just 2 cups a day and eventually no coffee at all.  Must practice what I preach!

If you are like me and are planning to detox from copious cups of coffee and you choose the cold turkey method, it is important that you know what to expect and to prepare in advance for the debilitating withdrawal symptoms that can follow. Best to be prepared than fall off the wagon.

Plan ahead so that the first couple of days of detox fall on a week-end or work holiday. Carry some pain relievers with you and avoid driving long distances. Prepare some meals in advance like soup or other easy to digest foods. If you live with someone, let them know that you plan to detox from caffeine and to expect some irritability for the next few days.  Ask them to be patient with you. Inform you co-workers and/or your boss about your caffeine detox.

The method of preparation is relative to the amount of caffeine you had been consuming. Those who have been consuming large amounts of caffeine should prepare more than those detoxing from smaller daily amounts.

You may prefer the weaning method in preference to going cold turkey. This is my plan and I’ll share it with you.

I plan to gradually reduce the amount of caffeine I am consuming daily, which is 4 cups of coffee and 2 or 3 cups of tea (all containing caffeine).

I recommend stepping down the dose about 50 mg less every two days until the zero daily caffeine amount is achieved.  I will achieve this by just drinking less of the typical caffeinated beverage or by drinking a less caffeinated alternative, like tea.

If you are detoxing from energy drinks, which can be harmful to your health, reduce your intake by about half a can every two days.  Tea can be reduced by cutting back 1 cup every two days.

I prefer slow withdrawal from most addictions as withdrawal symptoms are much less severe. Most people can continue to function and be productive.  Very little side effects to deal with, including headaches, the No.1 withdrawal symptom most people experience.

In the negative, it can take longer to detox depending on the beginning daily dose amount.  It also requires tracking your caffeine intake and being vigilant about what’s being consumed and how much.

I’m going to take the easier, softer way.

While you are detoxing, I would recommend taking an amino Acid supplements like Tyrosine Mood Food for the manufacture of dopamine and noradrenaline, which are required for concentration, alertness, memory and a happy, stable mood.   Caffeine depletes your dopamine neurotransmitter.

L-Glutamine can reduce both cravings and the anxiety that accompanies caffeine withdrawal. You can find glutamine in my Ultimate Gut Health powder.

A good liver tonic like LivaTone Plus is recommended and can be beneficial in those who have an inflamed liver or a sluggish liver. LivaTone Plus also contains all the B vitamins and the amino acid Taurine. It also contains the antioxidant vitamins C and E.

Magnesium Ultra Potent can be taken before bed to assist with a deep and restful sleep. It also helps to reduce stress, very beneficial to anyone detoxing from caffeine.   Magnesium is also known as the “great relaxer”.

 

The above statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.