Constantly craving caffeine? You could be addicted
Caffeine addiction can cause people to become irritable and moody when they do not get their fix.
What you need to know:
- Caffeine addiction can be treated by gradually cutting back on caffeine intake before one becomes fully addicted.
- There are healthy alternatives to coffee like decaf tea, herbal tea such as chamomile tea, and hot chocolate that will provide similar benefits as drinking caffeinated beverages without the side effects.
Caffeine addiction is a severe problem that affects millions of people around the world. Health effects include insomnia, anxiety, and heart problems. While caffeine may have been considered merely a harmless drug for those who need a morning boost or an afternoon pick-me-up, it has become clear that caffeine is addictive and dangerous.
What is caffeine?
Caffeine, also known as trimethyl xanthine, is a psychoactive stimulant found in coffee, tea, and chocolate. It has numerous functions including increasing alertness, boosting energy levels, improving performance during physical and mental tasks, and suppressing sleep. Caffeine works by blocking adenosine receptors in the brain, which are responsible for slowing down neural activity. This stops the "sleepiness" signal to the brain, so you will feel more awake for more extended periods.
How much is too much?
Caffeine is a drug that affects everyone differently. Moderate amounts can give people an energy boost and make them more alert. Still, it is highly addictive and causes withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly stop consuming caffeine after being dependent on it for a long time. Some people can handle caffeine, and it doesn't affect them much while others suffer from side effects like irritability, headaches, nausea, insomnia, increased heartbeat, abnormal heart rate, and high blood pressure.
Caffeine addiction
Caffeine addiction can cause people to become irritable and moody when they do not get their fix, which leads to a vicious cycle of drinking even more caffeine in an attempt to feel better. Many caffeine addicts are constantly tired, yet they drink coffee to try and stay awake.
Excessive consumption of caffeine can also lead to an unhealthy lifestyle. Therefore, it is important for those addicted to cut back on the amount they consume before their addiction takes a toll on other aspects of their lives.
Other withdrawal symptoms include:
- Headache
- Anxiety
- Trouble concentrating
- Cravings for caffeine
How to quit caffeine addiction
Gradually cut back on the amount of caffeine you consume each day. For example, if you drink a cup of black coffee in the morning, switch to half caffeinated and half decaf during the second week. Then switch from drinking two cups per day to one or none.
Healthy alternatives for caffeine addicts
Caffeine is a drug that affects everyone differently and should be treated with caution. If you're suffering from withdrawal symptoms after stopping caffeine consumption, then it's time to cut back on your intake before a full-blown addiction sets in. However, for those who cannot quit, there are healthy alternatives such as:
- Hydrate with water instead of caffeinated drinks. Water helps flush out the caffeine in the body hence reducing the effects.
- Regularly drink caffeine-free tea to help reduce the adverse effects associated with consuming too much caffeine. In addition, all teas contain health benefits and antioxidants that will promote good health and well-being when consumed responsibly in moderation.
- If you are addicted to coffee or soda and can't quit yet, switch to drinking chocolate beverages. They taste great and are packed with antioxidants, which promote good health when consumed in moderation, just like caffeine.
Alternatives:
Caffeinated drinks such as coffee can be replaced with decaffeinated beverages, herbal teas, or hot chocolate.
