How long does it take for caffeine withdrawal to start

If the thought of getting through a regular Tuesday without your oat milk latte makes you sweat, we feel you. Caffeine withdrawal symptoms are real. But PSA for anyone looking to cut back on their caffeine intake: There’s a way to do it without the headaches, anxiety, and irritability. We caught up with Jessica Kruger, clinical assistant professor of the Department of Community Health and Health Behavior at University at Buffalo, to find out how. 

Wait…do I need to cut back on caffeine?

It depends. First, take note of how much caffeine you’re actually consuming. Because, according to Kruger, it can sneak up on you. Think: Your two cups of coffee in the morning, a caffeinated lemonade in the afternoon, and any candy that’s also packed with caffeine. “All of those things add up,” Kruger said.

Staying within 400 mg of caffeine — about four cups of coffee, five cans of Red Bull, or 10 cans of coca cola a day, according Mayo Clinic — typically doesn’t pose any caffeine-related health problems. So if you’re within that range, no need to worry about your caffeine intake. 

But you might consider cutting back on caffeine if you…

  • Aren’t sleeping well or have insomnia

  • Experience anxiety

  • Suffer from migraines or chronic headaches

  • Are on certain medications (think: antibiotics, asthma medication, or heart medication)

  • Have high blood pressure 

Or if you’re experiencing negative side effects from drinking too much caffeine. Like…

  • Shakiness or jitters

  • Trouble sleeping

  • Nervousness or anxiety 

  • Increased heart rate

  • Fatigue

  • Dehydration

What are caffeine withdrawal symptoms?

Although caffeine isn’t considered an “addictive” drug, according to Kruger, it can still cause withdrawal symptoms. Like:

  • Headache

  • Fatigue

  • Brain fog

  • Irritability

  • Trouble concentrating

  • Nausea 

  • Muscle pain

Withdrawal symptoms can start 24 hours after your last caffeine intake, Kruger said, and can last two to nine days. But everyone’s different. It depends how long you’ve been consuming coffee and how much you're consuming daily, according to Kruger. (Think: are you more of a Lorelai or a Luke? Lorelais may be closer to nine days, while a Lukes’ symptoms could subside by day two). 

How can I deal with caffeine withdrawal symptoms?

Experts recommend cutting back on caffeine slowly. Read: Not going cold-turkey. “You need to titrate down, or you're going to get some of those negative side effects,” Kruger said. Meaning gradually reduce the amount you consume. 

How to cut back on caffeine without going into withdrawal:

If you’re ready to curb your Starbucks addiction, there are several ways you can avoid withdrawal symptoms (or at least minimize them). 

  • Take stock of how much caffeine you’re actually consuming.

  • Watch out for other drinks, snacks, or medications that have caffeine in them (see: mints, chocolate, certain lemonades or refreshers, and some pain relievers), according to Kruger.

  • Cut back slowly. Reminder: Don’t cut yourself off completely. 

  • Integrate decaf coffee into your routine.

  • Switch to drinks with a lower caffeine content, like tea. 

  • Shake up your routine. If you're always used to going to a coffee shop in the morning on your way to work, take a different route so you're not getting that “environmental trigger,” Kruger said.

  • Exercise. It will help boost your energy levels naturally.

  • Stay hydrated. To help reduce your caffeine cravings.

theSkimm

Caffeine can be hard to quit, especially when it comes to dealing with withdrawal symptoms. But there are ways to cut back while mitigating them. Like taking it slowly, drinking a lot of water, and being patient with yourself. 

This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute a medical opinion, medical advice, or diagnosis or treatment of any particular condition. 

How long does it take for caffeine withdrawal to start

Are you looking to start the new year off right with some lifestyle changes or diet changes? Or maybe you’re just looking for a change and a better way to hydrate? Eliminating caffeine from your diet might be something that you have been thinking about for awhile. Researching ways to detox from caffeine can be exhausting and overwhelming though. How long does it take to detox from caffeine? The tools you need to do it with confidence can set you on a path toward caffeine independence!

Many wonder how long does it take to detox from caffeine? It’s complicated and depends upon the amount of caffeine you typically ingest each day and how your body processes caffeine and caffeine withdrawals. For most people, caffeine withdrawal lasts between 2 and 9 days. 

The information you need, along with tips to reduce the severity of caffeine withdrawal symptoms, is available for you now below. 

Can Caffeine Withdrawal Last Months? 

How long does it take for caffeine withdrawal to start

Are you wondering how long it takes to feel normal after quitting caffeine? It definitely should not take months. For most people, caffeine withdrawal symptoms can last two to nine days and you should be feeling fine again no more than two weeks after you stopped using caffeine. 

Can Caffeine Stay in Your System for Days?

Caffeine can stay in your body’s system throughout the course of an entire day. Caffeine levels peak about one hour after ingesting and can stay high for a few hours. Approximately six hours after ingesting caffeine, half of the caffeine in your body is still in your system. Ten to 12 hours after ingesting, caffeine is typically cleared from your body’s bloodstream levels. 

Can I Quit Caffeine Cold Turkey?

Quitting caffeine cold turkey is the fastest way to cut out caffeine but it might not always be the best method. Quitting cold turkey might result in more severe caffeine withdrawal symptoms for a few days. If you want to try the cold turkey method, we suggest trying it over a weekend day or a planned vacation so your symptoms don’t affect your ability to focus on your job and other planned activities. 

How Long Does Fatigue From Caffeine Withdrawal Last?

You might feel tired and fatigued for a couple of days. That tired symptom can last for as long as 10 days as your body adjusts to life without the stimulant. 

How Can I Get Rid of Caffeine Without Withdrawal?

It’s very difficult to avoid the symptoms of caffeine withdrawal when you decide to quit. Ways to lessen the effects or try to avoid harsher symptoms of caffeine withdrawal include reducing your caffeine over time before you quit cold turkey. 

The goal here would be to start reducing caffeine drinks with water or other beverages before you go cold turkey. Start with replacing one drink a day for a week, then two drinks a week and so forth until all of your caffeine drinks are now decaffeinated!

Does Caffeine Build Up In Your Body? 

Your body can build up a tolerance to caffeine over time. Those who enjoy caffeinated tea or coffee need to drink more over time to enjoy the same stimulation effects that might have worked years prior with just one or two cups of caffeinated beverages. 

When Do Caffeine Headaches Go Away? 

How long does it take for caffeine withdrawal to start

Caffeine withdrawal headaches have been known to last for 6 to 9 days for some people. Others never experience a headache. For many people, caffeine headaches subside after no more than 48 hours. The more caffeine you drink on a daily basis, the longer your headaches might last after you decide to give up caffeinated drinks. 

What Do Caffeine Withdrawal Headaches Feel Like?

A caffeine withdrawal headache has feelings of both pressure and pain points that push outward from the brain. The headache typically starts from behind the eyes and moves toward the front of the head. Caffeine withdrawal headaches are similar to migraine symptoms that present a throbbing headache. 

Does Cutting Out Caffeine Help Sleep?

As we mentioned above, half of the caffeine you ingested earlier in a day can still be present in your system for six hours after having the caffeine drink. Depending on when you had your last caffeine drink, you might have caffeine levels in your system at bedtime that could affect your restful sleep. 

What Does Caffeine Withdrawal Feel Like? 

Caffeine withdrawal is different for every person. Common symptoms to look for as your body adjusts to life without caffeine include: 

  • Headaches
  • Dehydration
  • Low energy
  • Getting tired quickly
  • Anxiety
  • Poor concentration
  • Depressed mood
  • Tremors
  • Irritability

Is It Worth Giving Up Caffeine?

This question depends upon what you are seeking. If you believe your body is too dependent on caffeine or that caffeine might be adversely affecting your day to day functions, it might be worth giving up caffeine. Consider it a test run to see if it helps your overall wellness and sense of wellbeing. 

If you have a very strong dependency on caffeine, you might consider reducing your caffeine intake before you eliminate caffeine from your system all at once. 

How Do You Detox Your Body From Caffeine? 

How long does it take for caffeine withdrawal to start

The first step to detoxing your body from caffeine is by giving up caffeine. The next steps that can help ease your detox experience include: 

  • Drinking a lot of water
  • Replacing caffeine with electrolytes found in water boosters 
  • Taking a walk to take the edge off
  • Take deep breaths when you feel anxiety and crave a caffeine kick

Will Quitting Caffeine Increase Energy?

How can I get energy without caffeine? It’s a question that is asked often. Many people think they need that boost of caffeine to get them going and to increase their energy. That’s a misconception though. 

You can train your body to adapt to life without caffeine and try alternative methods to wake you up and increase your energy. These alternative methods include water infused with energy-boosting vitamins, exercise and even decaffeinated wellness and herbal teas that can do a great job of getting you going when you need a boost of energy or keeping you calm when it’s time to unwind.. 

Do You Feel Better After Quitting Caffeine?

When you first remove caffeine from your system, it might be difficult at first and you may have many of the caffeine withdrawal symptoms that we mentioned above in this article. 

However, in the long term, quitting caffeine may provide you with a natural sense of clarity and energy once you start yourself on a new caffeine-free schedule and incorporate new drinks and exercise activities into your daily ritual to keep you active and feeling great. 

Does Exercise Help Caffeine Withdrawals? 

How long does it take for caffeine withdrawal to start

Exercise is a great way to offset the symptoms of caffeine withdrawals. Just a brisk walk can help alleviate certain symptoms. According to a study comparing exercise to caffeine, exercise stimulates the body and mind in much the same way that caffeine does. So the next time you feel like you need a caffeine pick me up, channeling that urge into a brisk walk or other forms of exercise can help wake you up and also be a great way to reduce any signs of caffeine withdrawals. 

Types of exercise you can try includes: 

  • Walking
  • Running
  • Stretching exercises such as yoga
  • Aerobic exercises
  • Agility training which can include playing sports such as tennis, badminton, basketball, soccer, football and more. 
  • Anaerobic exercise such as weightlifting, sprinting and any other type of rapid burst intense activity

What Drink Has No Caffeine?

There are many drinks that have no caffeine that you could incorporate into your daily life as replacement caffeine-free drinks. These include: 

  • Decaffeinated hot tea and herbal teas
  • Decaffeinated sweet tea
  • Decaffeinated iced tea
  • Decaffeinated sweet tea in different flavors
  • Sparkling water
  • Caffeine-free soda

What Can I Replace Coffee With?

Many people ask what a good alternative to coffee is when they are seeking to eliminate caffeine from their diets. We would recommend replacing coffee with decaffeinated tea that has the aroma and taste that can wake you up and still get you going in the morning or any time of the day that you need a pick me up. 

Try Southern Breeze Decaf Cold Brew Today!

Are you trying to quit caffeine and still have energy? Here at Southern Breeze, y’all, we have the perfect decaf cold brew options for you to try. Our decaf iced tea is a great treat to try during your caffeine detox.

We also recommend trying a tasty decaf cold brew sweet iced tea bundle 6-pack so you can try all our flavors and pick the ones you like for a new year without caffeine! Find out what food goes good with iced tea too! Try our decaf sweet tea today, y’all!

What does caffeine withdrawal feel like?

The researchers identified five clusters of common withdrawal symptoms: headache; fatigue or drowsiness; dysphoric mood including depression and irritability; difficulty concentrating; and flu-like symptoms of nausea, vomiting and muscle pain or stiffness.

What are 4 withdrawal symptoms of caffeine?

But as soon as you quit caffeine, you may experience uncomfortable caffeine withdrawal symptoms, which include:.
Dizziness or light-headedness..
Fatigue..
Headache..
Irritability..
Mental fogginess..
Nausea and vomiting..
Negative mood..

What helps caffeine withdrawal symptoms?

Caffeine Withdrawal Headache: Why It Happens and What You Can Do.
Why headaches happen..
Take OTC pain relievers..
Apply peppermint oil..
Drink water..
Use ice..
Stimulate pressure points..
Sleep..
Have caffeine..