According to the FDA, 80 percent of American adults consume caffeine daily. While it might seem insignificant compared to the likes of a cocaine or heroin addiction, regular caffeine use can cause a physical dependence. It doesn’t meet the accepted definition of an addiction, however, because it doesn’t threaten your physical, social, or economic health. Although it doesn’t rise to the level of taking over one’s life, it does have some unpleasant side effects and can be very difficult to quit.
There is quite a technical reason why caffeine gives you such a feeling of well-being. Caffeine is absorbed through the small intestine and dissolved into the bloodstream. Because it is soluble in both water and fat, it can penetrate the blood-brain barrier, which is a filtering mechanism of the capillaries that carry blood to the brain and spinal cord tissue, blocking the passage of certain materials into the brain. Caffeine’s structure is similar to that of a molecule in the brain called adenosine, which ordinarily causes the feeling of tiredness. Caffeine is so similar that it can fit into the receptors in the brain cells that are meant for adenosine, blocking them off. This is what leads to energy and alertness. Also, dopamine, which controls the brain’s reward and pleasure centers, works more effectively when the adenosine receptors are blocked.
There are some health risks associated with caffeine use. According to the Mayo Clinic, consuming more than 500-600 mg of caffeine a day (the equivalent of five or six cups of coffee) may lead to insomnia, nervousness, restlessness, irritability, an upset stomach, a fast heartbeat and muscle tremors. Other studies have found that consuming 300 mg of caffeine a day during pregnancy may increase the risk of low birth weight, and drinking four cups of coffee a day may increase the risk of early death.
Some people are more sensitive to the effects of caffeine than others. Genetics, body mass, age, medication use, and health conditions such as anxiety disorders can all impact the severity of its negative effects. Your brain’s chemistry and physical makeup can actually change after long-term caffeine use. Most importantly, brain cells grow more adenosine receptors, which means it takes more caffeine to block enough of them to achieve the desired effect. This is how people build up a tolerance and will need to ingest more caffeine to feel its effects.
Quitting caffeine cold-turkey can result in some unpleasant side effects because your brain chemistry has been altered. These include a headache, fatigue, anxiety, irritability, depression, and difficulty concentrating.
If you want to cut back, do it gradually. Try drinking one less soda or cup of coffee daily. Try coffee or tea with less caffeine. Also, look at the medications you’re taking. Some medicines, such as painkillers for migraines, contain a fair amount of caffeine.
If you or a loved one need help to quit drugs or alcohol, consider Asana Recovery. We offer medical detox, along with both residential and outpatient programs, and you’ll be supervised by a highly trained staff of medical professionals, counselors, and therapists. Call us any time at (949) 438-4504.
