I quit caffeine • Hacker News Board

Re: I quit caffeine

#191

Post by einpoklum » Mon, Jan 10, 2022, 8:58 PM UTC

I was never encouraged into drinking coffee in the first place. Could never figure out why people liked the taste of it. I mean, Caffeine - yes, I drank a lot of Cola when I was young, but coffee is definitely an acquired taste.

Anyway, when I was about... 20 years old, I think, I decided to quite Caffeine. I went "cold-turkey", and it was actually really hard not buying my fix of Cola at the supermarket! I stuck with it though, and switched to (somewhat watered-down) cherry juice. The taste was strong enough to distract me from thinking about Cola :-)

Re: I quit caffeine

#192

Post by onemoresoop » Mon, Jan 10, 2022, 8:58 PM UTC

nikanj wrote: post #86

wbobeirne wrote: post #57

I catch a lot of flak for all the money I waste by buying coffees at coffeeshops, but it's my way of rate limiting. If I want a cup of coffee, I first have to make myself presentable, go for a walk, and pay a cost. I also feel a bit weird about going back to the same place twice in one day, so that usually dissuades a follow-up trip, or at least makes me go on an even longer walk. Caffeine plays with everyone differe…

Wait you have to presentable to get coffee from a coffee shop? I've made a terrible mistake

It is solely up to you. At least you want to jump into some clothes and not go there in your PJs but that depends on you as well.

Re: I quit caffeine

#193

Post by lmarcos » Mon, Jan 10, 2022, 8:59 PM UTC

carlgreene wrote: post #112

I quit caffeine about 8 weeks ago for mental health reasons. It has been TREMENDOUS so far. I'm still hesitant on writing about it because it's such a new experiment. When I was on caffeine I was on a lot of it. Probably around 400-600mg a day combining my pre workout with my daily coffees. It is one of my favorite drugs and I loved taking it. This was the last 15 years of my life. I became quite irritable over the p…

After reading you, I wish I drink coffee so I can quit and experience the same feeling you experienced.

Re: I quit caffeine

#194

Post by desman » Mon, Jan 10, 2022, 9:00 PM UTC

Almost exactly the same story here. 6-8+ cups a day, cold turkey with no replacements. Two weeks of misery and headaches and a beautiful new beginning. I drink one decaf or mate a day from time to time now. And I drool like a bloody St. Bernard when I pass by a coffee stand where they serve the real stuff. So I am still a coffee junkie, my body is no longer addicted but my mind is. But it was definitely worth it to quit.

Re: I quit caffeine

#195

Post by loufe » Mon, Jan 10, 2022, 9:01 PM UTC

I quit coffee and tea 7 years ago. I loved the taste of black coffee but I had trouble sleeping and didn't love the idea of being addicted to anything. Weeks of headaches but I came out just fine. Sometimes I wonder if being addicted all my teenage years made my brain somewhat dependent on it, and if that has led to an off-caffeine lower IQ or something, that's a fun rabbit hole to go down.

7 years on it still tempts me, but not like seeing somebody enjoy a cigarette does. I work rotations and have 15 hour days frequently, I don't go for a coffee when tired and just deal with it. Stressful and engaging work is enough to keep me perky.

Good luck to anyone who tries quitting. Try timing it at a time when you can afford to be less productive/sharp if you can. If not, just deal with it.

Re: I quit caffeine

#196

Post by onemoresoop » Mon, Jan 10, 2022, 9:01 PM UTC

dlbucci wrote: post #179

Switching to decaf coffee was one of the best health choices I've ever made. I used to regularly have a mild headache on Sunday every week, but I haven't had that once since quitting. It's also super nice to be able to skip coffee in the morning (for whatever reason) and just get on with my day. I did have a mild headache for about 2 weeks when I did quit, but honestly, the fact that that happened was just more evide…

I drink my first cup as regular and when I get into the office I get another one, this one decaf. Though it is not functional, I enjoy sipping from throughout the day.

Re: I quit caffeine

#197

Post by ericbarrett » Mon, Jan 10, 2022, 9:01 PM UTC

Barrin92 wrote: post #155

"My heart skips a beat. It's been happening more frequently, so I look it up and they're apparently called "palpitations." I ignore it. It's 9am. I'm anxious. Nothing out of the norm, though.[...] But even having more than one cup of decaf brings on the shakes and skipped beats. The caffeine microdosing adds up, I guess. " If you feel permanently anxious in the morning to the point that it's perceived as normal it mi…

This stood out to me, too. There are other things that can cause similar heart palpitations, like stress, cannabis (in some), and actual cardiovascular problems.

Re: I quit caffeine

#198

Post by onemoresoop » Mon, Jan 10, 2022, 9:03 PM UTC

thenerdhead wrote: post #13

I had this exact same problem just back in November. Regular coffee drinker (1-2 cups), having pre-workout before the gym. Starting having an absurd amount of anxiety and what I can best describe as a panic attack or flu-like symptom making my heart race & feelings of palpitations. Go to the ER, they find nothing wrong. Doctors say "cut your stimulates and lower your stresses". Seemed to be a combination of work stre…

I had this problem a long time ago but I was drinking way too much coffee, I think 5 cups a day. Down to 2, one of them is decaf so basically down to one.

Re: I quit caffeine

#199

Post by m3kw9 » Mon, Jan 10, 2022, 9:04 PM UTC

It seem that people that quit caffeine and having good effects are the ones drinking 6 cups a day. I’ve quit drinking coffee before but I’m drinking 1-2 cups, and all I got was a 2 day headache maybe less urge to drink it. But the difference have not been very profound

Re: I quit caffeine

#200

Post by cortexio » Mon, Jan 10, 2022, 9:04 PM UTC

coldpie wrote: post #109

mkaic wrote: post #67

I grew up in a house where coffee wasn't allowed, so I've actually never had it before. I have avoided nearly all caffeine my whole life out of habit (one of those cases where a rule you grow up with sticks with you even if the original justification for it didn't). Drinking a Coke is enough to make me bounce off the walls. I've often wondered what would happen to me if I tried coffee or an energy drink, but based on…

I think you should give it a shot. Unless you have some pre-existing condition (severe anxiety or something), there's basically no risk. Head to a coffee shop some morning and spend a few bucks for a small coffee. Maybe you'll find a new small joy in life. I have one cup, each morning when I get up, it's a tasty little ritual. Or maybe you won't like it after all, and then you'll know.

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