Caffeine is a compound naturally present in food items like coffee, tea leaves, and cocoa. It is also commonly used in the manufacture of products like soda, medications, and supplements. The FDA reports that nearly 80% of American adults consume caffeine daily. Caffeine causes chemical changes in the body. It blocks the binding of the adenosine molecules on its receptor. This generates a sense of alertness and energy.
Dopamine also works more effectively when adenosine receptors are blocked. Neurons grow more adenosine receptors to counter this effect. This explains why chronic coffee drinkers develop tolerance to caffeine. It takes more caffeine to block the inflated quantity of receptors and achieve the same stimulant effect. This explains why withdrawal from caffeine can trigger so many withdrawal symptoms. Some of these symptoms are:
1. Headaches
If you stop taking caffeine after being hooked to it for some time, it’s likely that you will suffer from headaches. Caffeine in the blood narrows down blood vessels which ultimately results in slow blood flow. Once caffeine ingestion stops, the blood vessels’ size readjusts by widening. This causes more amount of blood to flow through the brain. This change in blood flow leads to headaches.
2. Irritability
Caffeine has a stimulant activity on the brain, and once its consumption stops, emotional changes can manifest as the brain is suddenly off this mood-enhancing and energy-boosting substance. These changes usually occur within 2-3 days of withdrawal.
3. Muscle pain
People who tend to consume more caffeine before workouts and intense exercises have reported that after the withdrawal from caffeine, they experienced muscle pain and fatigue. This pain is due to the changes in blood flow after withdrawal from the consumption of caffeine. Stiffness and cramps are also common.
4. Tremors
Tremor is abnormal, involuntary shaking, or movement. Usually, tremors are coupled with feelings of anxiety and last between 2-8 days.
5. Concentration lapse
Since caffeine is a stimulant that increases alertness and energy, withdrawal from it causes a lapse in concentration and tiredness.
6. Fatigue
Taking caffeine increases alertness and concentration by preventing the adenosine molecules to bind to their receptors. Binding of adenosine to its receptor is linked to sleepiness and fatigue. Once the body is off caffeine, these adenosine molecules are no longer blocked by caffeine molecules. This causes fatigue, sleepiness, and drowsiness.
7. Constipation
Caffeine also significantly affects the digestive system of the body. It encourages the defecation response of the body by promoting the movements of the intestines. Withdrawal from caffeine means that the system becomes less active and this leads to a decrease in the urge to pass out stools.
8. Change in sleep patterns
Caffeine influences the production of the hormone melatonin, which is responsible for controlling the sleep cycle of the body. Upon consuming a lot of caffeine, the body adjusts to the effects of the substance which can cause changes in the sleep pattern. Thus, upon withdrawal, the body struggles to find a new balance, resulting in sleepiness.
9. Depressed mood
Caffeine also promotes the production of serotonin, which is important in positive mood regulation. It has been shown that chronic caffeine intake is linked to an increase in the number of serotonin receptors and their sensitivity to the molecule. This means that withdrawal from caffeine can cause a sudden decrease in the serotonin level in the body, which results in mood swings, depressed mood, and irritability.
10. Anxiety
Caffeine promotes the production of hormones which have a central role in stress response. These help a body cope up with mental stress significantly. Sudden withdrawal from caffeine causes changes in the level of these hormones which can lead to feelings of anxiety.