Years ago I suffered dizzy spells (once a year or so) that completely incapacitated me. Doctor suggested might be due to caffeine and it was! Didn't have any withdrawal problems, feel better than previously.
Ask HN: Quit caffeine? Before and after anecdotes
41–50 of 128 posts
Re: Ask HN: Quit caffeine? Before and after anecdotes
#42Two years ago I quit drinking caffeine for 2 or 3 months. At first I was tiered more often, but after a while (maybe 2 weeks? Can't remember exactly) that went away. After that I felt pretty much the same as with caffeine, not noticeably better or worse. Since I didn't feel better and I like coffee, I started drinking that again.
I also tried to quit for 2 months in 2021. Withdrawal for 5 days — only headaches for 2, and realising that sleep is better for 3 days more. Felt excellent to feel mentally awake without stimulants. Eventually went back to 2-3 coffees a day because I like drinking it.
Re: Ask HN: Quit caffeine? Before and after anecdotes
#43Too much caffeine (5+ cups a day): Bad sleep, wake in the middle of night with pounding heart
Zero caffeine (for two years): Okay, everything is fine, but sometimes miss coffee boost and taste.
Two cups a day: Everything is fine and I get to enjoy coffee. Never in the evening though.
Moderation! Same with everything.
Re: Ask HN: Quit caffeine? Before and after anecdotes
#44Caffeine is OK if your sleep is fine with and without caffeiene. Caffeine can often mask sleep problems. Better to fix those first, and then if you have one bad sleep in ten, or you just need a boost in the morning, sure, why not.
Re: Ask HN: Quit caffeine? Before and after anecdotes
#45What's the point of anecdotes? By definition they're irrelevant to the big picture. Surely there have been studies on the effects of caffeine on the things you list?
Statistics can be just as obviously irrelevant to an individual as an anecdote to a big picture. A correlation between caffeine consumption and productivity or work well-being means nothing in case of an individual. Studies can't tell how individuals react, and I have a hard time seeing how a study would be relevant to OP in any way.
OP wasn't asking for statistics, or "the big picture". Of course anecdotes from other people can't really tell how things work for OP either, but I think they were looking for experiences that might be relatable.
Re: Ask HN: Quit caffeine? Before and after anecdotes
#46No way.
Up to 400mg per day has great research suggesting it's long term safe with minimal side effects. In that range, it's basically a performance enhancing drug. If it weren't ubiquitous, it would probably be banned from athletic competitions.
Re: Ask HN: Quit caffeine? Before and after anecdotes
#47Drinking only decaf coffee and decaf tea now, as long as I can obtain it. Which means all "normal" days, but there are exceptions for longer distance travel (rare).
I was never hooked up on coffeine, so no "cold turkey" withdrawal symptoms. I am six weeks in.
I sleep much better and it definitely helps my concentration. Used to be too jittery before.
Re: Ask HN: Quit caffeine? Before and after anecdotes
#48Worked for me – less anxiety, better sleep, easier wake up and I feel like I can focus better during the day.
Trick for me was to not quit cold turkey, but to slowly decrease the amount of ground coffee I used. The rest was decaf. Did this slowly over 2 weeks and then the week following stuck to decaf only, and then quit.
Re: Ask HN: Quit caffeine? Before and after anecdotes
#49First week was tough. After a month you feel more awake on mornings. A couple of months after that you feel exactly the same as before. I started drinking more tea (with and without caffeine depends on the taste) because I wanted a hot drink but not specifically caffeine. I quit coffee for health reasons (stomach) so it was kinda forced on me. I still love coffee taste very much and can still consume it in cakes and…
Most people I have known who had stomach issues around coffee had them resolve by switching to espresso, or espresso based drinks(if making at home pump based machine, or manual I suppose but not steam). I'm definitely in that boat.
Tea on the other hand starts ripping my stomach apart after a day. YMMV.
Re: Ask HN: Quit caffeine? Before and after anecdotes
#50I've given up coffee on and off, sometimes for many months at a time. I've never had any withdrawal effects, but I've never been completely coffee addicted either. I enjoy the taste and smell of coffee, but I try hard not to rely on caffeine for wakefulness or focus. About three years ago, I also stopped drinking coffee after about 1pm, as it was negatively affecting my sleep (occasionally I will, but in general I don't drink caffeine after that) and typically limit myself to one to two, sometimes three, cups of coffee even before then. Usually its just a single morning ritual cup since I enjoy the flavour and then I tend to drink just water for the rest of the day. My sleep is a lot better. I don't have any magical no coffee effects that some people have reported though, even when I was completely off coffee. I find the best way to avoid tiredness throughout the day and maintain focus is to exercise regularly and have a relatively strict very regular sleep schedule (ie always go to bed at the exact same time), then I don't feel I need coffee and can drink it purely for enjoyment.