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Ask HN: Quit caffeine? Before and after anecdotes

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

#51
Doesn't really have an impact on me. I drink enough coffee, black and green tea on a daily basis to give a rhino anxiety attacks simply because I enjoy it but when I quit I get maybe some headaches but it doesn't really impact me in any way. Let's be real it's caffeine and not crack, it's not that serious.

Quitting caffeine seems like dopamine fasting or one of these other professional class fads that comes up every few months nowadays.

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

#52

I worked without it for 25+ years due to religion/religious upbringing. I started it on my way out of the religion and realized it could even benefit what we called spiritual revelation experiences. Which was funny. After first experiments I quit a few times but didn't notice that not using was an advantage in any way, unless I was using too much caffeine in certain specific circumstances. After that I measured my do…

I was Mormon for a while too :-) For the record (mainly for other people that may read this) it's not "caffeine" that the Church disallows, it's "hot drinks" which are commonly interpreted as tea and coffee. Since caffeine is a main ingredient, many believers (especially more Conservative and/or descendants of Mormon pioneers) believe that caffeine is the reason behind the ban on coffee/tea. Many others however belie…

:-) The Mormon belief system is funny that way...I added "upbringing" because my dad was a bishop and our family was a no-caffeine family. The cult or fundamentalist mindset is heavily moderated by family or contextual environment. If you don't clarify this you can easily become victim-blamed for being raised with a fundamentalist belief system.

When I was in the bishopric there was an article in the Ensign magazine discouraging energy drinks, written by a Mormon doctor. This was also used by me and other local leaders to teach against caffeine.

Addictive substance theory is a bit strange to me these days though; for example back when I suffered from severe mental health conditions, my psychiatrist said I didn't have an addictive personality. I since did some research and wrote a bit about it on a continuum with detachment.

https://www.friendlyskies.net/maybe/for-those-detachers-for-...

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

#54
I've been off and on with coffee for about 30 years, with a tendency to ramp until I'm drinking way too much of it and then have to take a t-break and suffer withdrawals. it's an effective focus enhancer but only if I ramp the dosage. longest time off was about 2 years that coincided with a break from intense problem solving - my natural resistance to intense focus feels fully restored after a couple of months and it's great for my temperament (more aloof, pleasant, not everythings a problem needing to be solved) but as soon as I feel like I need to focus it's coffee time and we're back on.

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

#55
I haven’t cut out caffeine but coffee instead.

I used to be a “heavy” drinker, 5-6 cups a day. Unfortunately, I started having really bad stomach problems. Constant acid burbs and heartburn so bad I couldn’t sleep some nights.

I tried everything. Changed coffee beans, the way I’d make it. Nothing helped.

So from one to another I switched to green tea, about a year ago. My Stich ach is great now. No more issues. I do miss the taste of coffee now and then. But overall I’m very happy to have made the switch.

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

#57
> that the best developers don’t drink coffee

If that's the last thing you can think of to improve your skills/life then give it a try, but I doubt that it is a decisive factor.

I've been on and off and don't really notice a difference. It's just a nice ritual, as long as you don't abuse it it has very little negative impact

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

#59
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?

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

#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 depression, rinse and repeat.

I’ve also observed folks who appear to need caffeine to function, to the point where they can’t go on a road trip, or go out for an excursion or have a slow morning at home without bending plans to accommodate some caffeine intake.

From an outsiders perspective it’s clear to me that it’s a very intense addiction for some. And I’ve yet to see examples where it felt productive or helpful or fun to be around folks on caffeine while not consuming it myself.

Although, I guess that’s probably similar to many substances where it’s not always fun to be sober around those who drink. And if someone had never tried alcohol I’m sure it’s bizarre watching people obsess over it.

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