A daily cup of coffee is what many people use to jump-start their mornings. In small amounts, caffeine is safe to use and doesn't pose a risk to anyone's health. But if you take caffeine in doses of more than 300 milligrams daily, it can create a chemical dependency that your body craves. Deciding to reduce or quit caffeine can be disruptive and unpleasant for several days while your body goes through withdrawal.
Caffeine's Effects
Caffeine is a stimulant that directly affects the central nervous system. This gives it great advantages as an elixir for fatigue -- caffeine increases alertness and mental concentration, allowing you to think and work more effectively. But as with other, more dangerous stimulants, the body and mind can become accustomed to your caffeine use, and reduced levels of caffeine can hinder your body's function.
Curbing Caffeine Use
How you reduce or stop your caffeine use can influence the presence and severity of withdrawal symptoms. Because caffeine isn't as dangerous a stimulant as cocaine or other illicit drugs, it is safe to stop using caffeine gradually. Try drinking one fewer servings of caffeinated beverages each day and letting your body acclimate to the lowered levels. You can shorten the brew time of your tea or dilute your coffee to continue your drinking habits while reducing caffeine consumption. You can also use decaffeinated beverages that have the same taste as caffeinated drinks but lack the stimulating effects.
Withdrawal Symptoms
According to a February 2009 report by CBS News, several withdrawal symptoms can develop within 12 to 24 hours of stopping caffeine use. These can last up to a week at a time. Symptoms include headaches, irritability, fatigue, depression, difficulty concentrating and flu-like symptoms of nausea, vomiting and muscle pain. Symptoms are generally worse when you are trying to wean the body off large doses of caffeine.
Considerations
Some pain-relieving medications use caffeine to dilate blood vessels. Make sure you do not take medications that include caffeine to treat the withdrawal symptoms. Restrict evening caffeine consumption to lessen the severity of caffeine withdrawal symptoms. If you are struggling to stop caffeine or are experiencing withdrawal symptoms that disrupt your daily routine, talk to a doctor about alternative approaches to stopping caffeine use.
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