1. Caffeine is our Drug of Choice
The world loves a good cup of Joe. It's cheap, you can get it anywhere and it gives us a little boost. In North America caffeine drinkers make up 80 to 90 percent of the population. And if we're not drinking it, we're popping it in a pill to relieve menstrual cramps, migraines and severe headaches. In moderate doses, caffeine stimulates alertness. A little too much and we get jittery and an upset stomach. Like any drug, we can also build up a tolerance to it and need more and more.
2. Goodbye Coffee, Hello Headache
Even missing one day without your 1 to 8 cups of coffee can cause a severe headache. The pain starts about 12 to 24 hours after abstinence and can last anywhere from 2 days to a week. The headache is usually described as throbbing and touches both sides of the head. One cup of coffee would alleviate the symptoms within an hour. For people susceptible to migraines, caffeine headaches can trigger a migraine episode. Even children can have withdrawal headaches from skipping caffeine laden soda.
3. The Science Behind the Java Withdrawal
Caffeine mimics the naturally occurring chemical adenosine. Adenosine's purpose is to dilate the blood vessels in our head. Caffeine stops the blood vessel's from dilating. As a result, our bodies compensate by making us more sensitive to adenosine. If we stop our caffeine intake, the adenosine is still working overtime and causes a dramatic dilation of the blood vessels, which gives us a headache. Over the counter drugs that contain caffeine control this dilation.
4. The Pros and Cons of Caffeine Reduction
Before you cut yourself off from your morning mocha latte, you should know that coffee in particular has some definite health benefits. Studies show that prevention of diabetes, Parkinson's, depression and colon cancer are all linked to drinking 1 to 6 cups a day. And if you're getting your caffeine from tea or soda, some of the benefits seem to be evident regardless of the source. Studies even suggest that coffee decreases the formation of cavities because of it's antibacterial properties.
5. Moderate Withdrawal is the Key
Even so, pregnant women, people with a genetic predisposition to osteoporosis, or heart patients are often advised to limit their caffeine intake. For some people, caffeine is difficult on their stomach lining. To withdraw from caffeine addiction with out the headache, gradually replace your beverage with decaffeinated versions a little at a time, until you aren't drinking anything with caffeine. Be careful to watch chocolate, which contains caffeine and could disrupt your withdrawal.
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