Ask HN: Quit caffeine? Before and after anecdotes • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: Quit caffeine? Before and after anecdotes

#71

Post by carom » Sat, Feb 19, 2022, 9:20 PM UTC

I've cut out a lot of foods permanently. Most notable are caffeine and sugar (sucrose, fructose). It will take a few tries but you're better off without it.

Regarding caffeine, I would drink a lot of soda each day, like 4+ Mexican cokes. The first month is terrible. You will have an initial withdrawal, then just be in a slump. I am the type of programmer to work on side projects after work and I couldn't. I decided to give it a month, but was legit considering starting again just because of that.

First month mega slump. Second month it's getting better. After that you're no longer dependent.

It's amazing how dependent everyone is on it. You hear, oh it doesn't really affect me, I just like the flavor of coffee, but I don't buy it. People are super addicted and coping. Caffeine doesn't give yourl energy, it just takes away the symptoms of your withdrawal.

Note, it did not fix my sleep schedule. Bright screens are kinda the last factor I can blame for that so I'm experimenting with eink and reflective lcd screens.

You don't need it. Water is the one true beverage. It's amazing how little water most people drink.

Re: Ask HN: Quit caffeine? Before and after anecdotes

#72

Post by LAC-Tech » Sat, Feb 19, 2022, 9:24 PM UTC

I halved my caffeine intake by drinking instant coffee that was half the strength of my old one.

Biggest thing is I fall asleep at night much more easily.

However, I'd like to be off it completely. I still have noticable peaks and troughs in my day due to when I drink coffee, and I'd kind like to flatten it out a bit.

Re: Ask HN: Quit caffeine? Before and after anecdotes

#73

Post by awb » Sat, Feb 19, 2022, 9:25 PM UTC

paulcole wrote: post #62

awb wrote: post #60

Alternative anecdote: I’ve never consumed caffeine intentionally and never had a cup of coffee. I’m very focused and productive by default with pretty consistent energy throughout the day. It’s interesting observing folks who consume caffeine. I notice a frantic burst of energy and lack of presence in social situations (like reading the room or not talking over others) followed by a crash of low energy and sometimes…

Do you think you’ve ever been around someone while they were on caffeine and not known about it?

I’m sure. That’s a good point.

Re: Ask HN: Quit caffeine? Before and after anecdotes

#74

Post by anyfoo » Sat, Feb 19, 2022, 9:28 PM UTC

freedomben wrote: post #32

bb123 wrote: post #17

I’d like to offer the opposite perspective to many of the responses here. I regularly have 2 coffees a day, and I’ve taken month long breaks from it in the past. I’ve never experienced any of the severe withdrawal symptoms people often describe, with the exception of feeling a little sluggish on the first day. I did, however, miss the routine of preparing and drinking a warm aromatic beverage in the morning. I find i…

I completely agreed with you until I realized that caffeine was aggravating my anxiety. I went years not realizing this, so it's possible that for some people they're getting symptoms they haven't linked yet. Now that said, when I was younger I didn't have that problem and caffeine was a powerful tool in my toolbox for maximizing performance. Definitely glad to have it when needed.

I had that problem. It only crossed into anxiety when I had much more, but even before that point I had what I would call uncomfortable “overattention” and sleep troubles.

The solution for me was moderation. Two cups a day, and no cup after 3:30pm (or rather that’s the latest time I allow myself to start drinking my last cup). Makes them more special, too.

Re: Ask HN: Quit caffeine? Before and after anecdotes

#75

Post by viraptor » Sat, Feb 19, 2022, 9:30 PM UTC

I had to stop drinking coffee for reasons, and my view is that you adapt within few months to the new situation in either way. Basically if you drink coffee regularly you start feeling crap without it, but don't reach significantly more alertness than when you don't drink it at all. If you try it very sporadically though - that gives you some serious kick for a few hours.

Re: Ask HN: Quit caffeine? Before and after anecdotes

#76

Post by hughrr » Sat, Feb 19, 2022, 9:30 PM UTC

Anecdotes it is. Quit caffeine in 2015. I was drinking coffee and red bull constantly. Felt like crap for about two weeks. Measurably no difference other than bank balance. Did a crap action film montage in 2019 and went from lard ass to super fit. Massive positive change in cognitive ability and mental health. Started drinking coffee again in 2021. Absolutely no change other than bank balance. Only difference is I keep it to one in the morning now and occasionally swap it for a hot chocolate if I fancy one. And only for the bank balance.

Ergo I suspect the best software developers are the fit and healthy ones.

Re: Ask HN: Quit caffeine? Before and after anecdotes

#77

Post by rustybelt » Sat, Feb 19, 2022, 9:33 PM UTC

jedberg wrote: post #59

bb123 wrote: post #17

I’d like to offer the opposite perspective to many of the responses here. I regularly have 2 coffees a day, and I’ve taken month long breaks from it in the past. I’ve never experienced any of the severe withdrawal symptoms people often describe, with the exception of feeling a little sluggish on the first day. I did, however, miss the routine of preparing and drinking a warm aromatic beverage in the morning. I find i…

Have you tried using herbal tea (no caffeine) to get your routine and see if it's the routine or the caffeine that helps?

Good decaf (Swedish water method) works best for me when trying to cut down on caffeine but maintain the hot aromatic beverage ritual.

Re: Ask HN: Quit caffeine? Before and after anecdotes

#78

Post by esnowrackley » Sat, Feb 19, 2022, 9:33 PM UTC

I started drinking coffee about 14 years ago. It was a great help at the time-- it helped me focus, wake up, and move. The routine in the morning was the perfect way to start my day. I also over relied on caffeine to get me going. I started drinking so much that my stomach would hurt and, after a while, it felt like caffeine was putting me on edge all the time. It stopped being able to help me cope with the stress or enable me to do better work.

I quit 6 months ago or so. I tried switching to teas, to supplements, none of it really helped. I moved over to drinking coffee replacements like chicory and dandelion blends because I miss having that taste in the mornings. They really, at best, taste like the cheapest instant coffee you could get, but it's a nice routine to put something in its place.

I'm calmer without it, I feel like I can sleep better, and I feel like I'm better at managing stress without it. But, that's really specific to me, I know some incredible developers who drink plenty of caffeine. It's definitely not a deciding factor and it's not something that I think speaks to anyone's character in any particular way.

Re: Ask HN: Quit caffeine? Before and after anecdotes

#79

Post by rajin444 » Sat, Feb 19, 2022, 9:33 PM UTC

bb123 wrote: post #17

I’d like to offer the opposite perspective to many of the responses here. I regularly have 2 coffees a day, and I’ve taken month long breaks from it in the past. I’ve never experienced any of the severe withdrawal symptoms people often describe, with the exception of feeling a little sluggish on the first day. I did, however, miss the routine of preparing and drinking a warm aromatic beverage in the morning. I find i…

I had the exact same experience. I've gone 6-8 months of taking roughly 200mg - 300mg a day with no major issues. When I've taken breaks (up to 6 months at a time) I didn't notice any real gain.

The one lasting thing I've noticed is my tolerance. I've never been able to reset back to a "pre coffee" level where I could have like 200mg and be absolutely wired. It goes down, but nowhere near as much. Maybe 6 months isn't a long enough break...

Re: Ask HN: Quit caffeine? Before and after anecdotes

#80

Post by helgee » Sat, Feb 19, 2022, 9:34 PM UTC

I have quit caffeine twice in the past few years with the longest abstinence being around one year. Before that I was chugging up to four double espressi per day which I replaced with decaf. The inital withdrawal was brutal with migraine-strength heachaches (including feeling very sensitive to light and nausea) on the first day and milder headaches for another week or two. I noticed small improvements to my sleep, e.g., falling asleep a bit faster, but I am a bad sleeper in general and having a newborn child did not help. The biggest benefit was not being dependent on caffeine and not consuming lots of bad coffee as a result (Starbucks et al.). I remember one instance were I was on vacation snowshoeing in the Alps. The cabin were we slept only offered coffee that was absolutely undrinkable and I had a lousy day as a result. Not great...

That being said, I am back on caffeine again because I realized that it acts as a mild anti-depressant for me. It seems to have an effect on my dopaminergic system as well and helps me focus and get stuff done. Since I started drinking coffee again, I have not had a day where I do not feel like doing anything (not even goofing off) and get nothing done at all. This happened regularly when I was off caffeine. I manage the negative side effects by not drinking coffee after 2 PM and I limit myself to three cups/espresso shots per day. Seems to work as well.