It’s easy to forget that caffeinated drinks contain psychoactive drugs. Granted, that sounds dramatic and they don’t have dangerous amounts. But they are there all the same.
Perhaps a reason we forget this is because caffeine is everywhere. In cities, you are unlikely to go for very long without passing a caffeine vendor of some description. Across the pond, caffeine is America’s most popular drug, with more than half of American adults consuming 300 milligrams a day.
After a few years of drinking caffeinated drinks each day, I found myself feeling tense, anxious and panicky more regularly. Naively, I hadn’t linked the two.
It was only after a therapist suggested I cut caffeine out completely as part of anxiety treatment that I started to think about my caffeine intake. I had justified my habits because everybody was addicted to caffeine, right? But if it was causing me to feel anxious or panicky, then cutting it out was surely a beneficial step. So I committed to going caffeine free. I tried to go cold turkey, and while I didn’t get anxiety from caffeine withdrawal, I did get headaches and feel super groggy. I instead reduced my caffeine intake gradually, before cutting it completely. I went from around 7-8 cups of tea a day to zero in just two weeks. I immediately noticed a major change, particularly around the physical effects of anxiety. I now do not find it as difficult to relax my body even when my thoughts are of an anxious nature. Studies have found consuming caffeine within six hours of lying down can reduce the quality and length of your sleep. Since quitting, I have definitely found I sleep better and drift off more easily. And getting the right amount of sleep is really important, as you can function more effectively, and avoid things like driving while fatigued. If you are considering quitting caffeine, expect a transition period while your body adjusts. With no caffeine, working first thing in the morning or getting through a long afternoon can become tricky at the start for sure.
But as somebody who has been through the process, I certainly will not be going back. I wouldn’t say that quitting caffeine kills anxiety, but it’s certainly possible to reduce anxiety by reducing caffeine. In my experience, the self-regulation we must do when faced with these challenges becomes easier without caffeine in your system.
If you are finding yourself feeling tense and anxious a lot, then reading up on the connection between caffeine and anxiety and considering your own intake may well prove beneficial. I hope you find this blog insightful. I am a freelance content writer and historical researcher based in Leicester, UK. To discuss your content or research requirements, please contact me via sean@carduelischr.com.
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