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Detoxification

Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP on detoxing from caffeine

Dependency and withdrawal — detoxing from caffeine

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by Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP

“I don’t have a problem with caffeine — I have a problem without it!”

For some women, this statement (or something similar) is a rueful acknowledgment that they simply can’t get through the day without a pick-me-up from their favorite beverage. For lots of people caffeine intake does not cause problems, but there are several reasons why someone might want to end her love affair with caffeine. Perhaps you think it makes you jittery, or your practitioner has recommended you cut back or give it up. You may have tried to quit caffeine before and found yourself with a pounding headache.

But while caffeine in moderation is relatively benign, you might just feel that kicking the habit (or simply cutting back) would improve your health. If you have had trouble with insomnia, adrenal imbalance, or anxiety — all of which can be exacerbated by caffeine — or even if you have some indefinable sense that you’d be better off without it, you may want to consider undergoing a caffeine detox.

Let’s learn more about how caffeine works in the body, then explore some simple ways to make the detoxification process go more smoothly for you.

Breaking up with caffeine is hard to do — here’s why

To detox or not — the caffeine addiction quiz

Wondering if you even need to quit? Some women can drink coffee every day of their adult life with no problem. Others tolerate caffeine well for years, only to find it causes symptoms as they approach menopause. And still others find that any amount of caffeine triggers more severe concerns.

Consider the following questions, and trust your inner guidance.

  • Do you use caffeine to facilitate a physical activity (waking up, exercising, having a bowel movement, concentrating)?
  • Do you have to have caffeine in the morning? Could you substitute hot water with lemon or herbal tea?
  • Do you crash or have caffeine/sugar cravings in the afternoon/early evening?
  • Do you grow irritable, get a headache, or feel disembodied if you miss your caffeine fix?
  • Do you have difficulty falling asleep at night and waking up refreshed?
  • Do you need caffeine to heighten the effects of other substances, such as nicotine, alcohol, or sugar?
  • Do you feel your social routines would suffer if you went caffeine-free?
  • Does a life without caffeine seem impossible to you?

If you answered yes to two or more of these questions, consider examining your attachment to caffeine.

For certain groups of women, even moderate caffeine dependency can cause problems, so you may also want to consider quitting if you’re:

  • a woman who suffers from adrenal burn-out (a rapidly growing group)
  • a woman who is insulin resistant and who isn’t getting enough energy from good food
  • a slow detoxifier, meaning that it takes you longer to recover from encounters with toxins.

So the last and most relevant question for you to answer is: How do I respond to caffeine? (For further guidance, see our article on the pros and cons of caffeine.)

Most of us understand that caffeine is habit-forming, but we may not think about what it means to be addicted to it. Part of why caffeine is so hard to give up is that we may develop a strong dependency on it for a number of physiological, psychological, and emotional reasons.

  • Physiological. Caffeine has measurable physical effects in the body, increasing our pulse, heart rate, and respiration, making us feel “more alive.”
  • Psychological. Research shows that caffeine improves concentration and task performance. Caffeine also helps people feel more “social” and at ease, and we love to share the caffeine ritual with friends.
  • Emotional. Perhaps the strongest aspect of our dependency on caffeine relates to its mood-lifting effects. We look forward to the times of day when we consume caffeine as treasured, oasis-like moments.

Many of us develop deep-seated patterns specific to our caffeine consumption. Some people always drink coffee right before an important meeting. Others like to knock back a caffeinated drink after lunch because it helps them stay on-task at work. And some avid exercisers regularly consume caffeine before working out.

As if these factors weren’t enough, over time, many women find that their response to caffeine changes so that, ultimately, they aren’t in charge anymore — their body needs that caffeine to feel “normal” or have energy. And if they try to ignore the desire for caffeine, they find themselves experiencing withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms are often uncomfortable enough to cause some to surrender to the confines of caffeine dependency. But if you’ve reached a decision to cut back or eliminate caffeine from your life, there are some simple, effective ways to meet your goal while easing the discomforts of withdrawal.

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Related to this article:

References & further reading on caffeine detoxification

 

Last Modified Date: 04/18/2011
Principal Author: Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP


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