We truly are a nation of drug addicts. With alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine, we are constantly medicating ourselves to get through our daily activities. Now that people are commonly found freebasing caffeine in the form of Red Bull, we need an answer to this pressing question:
Does cutting out the morning cup of joe cause a 4P.M. headache from hell?
It is clear that caffeine can have an effect on headaches. Caffeine is present in both over the-counter medications (Excedrin) and prescription medications.
Caffeine acts to constrict blood vessels and therefore helps some headaches. But, the withdrawal symptoms you experience when cutting out your daily coffee are not as clear-cut as you may think.
A 1999 study in The Journal of Pharmacology challenged the assumption that stopping coffee causes headaches. When participants in this study were unaware of the caffeine withdrawal focus, the frequency and severity of their symptoms were much lower and sometimes nonexistent. A recently released analysis concluded that there is a withdrawal syndrome when stopping coffee. Symptoms are thought to be worse if you consume more caffeine and then abruptly stop, although not everyone suffers the same withdrawal symptoms. Other symptoms include fatigue, drowsiness, irritability, depression, or trouble concentrating.
If you want to wean yourself off gradually, you can follow Mark Leyner’s schedule:
Monday—double espresso
Tuesday—latté
Wednesday—single espresso
Thursday—Snapple iced tea
Friday—soy half-decaf mocha cappuccino
Saturday—a 12-ounce Coke
Sunday—beer (no caffeine and a wonderful breakfast treat)
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