What I had failed to grasp about caffeine all these years...

[Danielj1]

I am a coffee lover all the way through my life to the extent that we now have a nespresso these days with all the various blends to keep variety up.

All the research I read talked about the anti-oxidant properties of coffee and the benefits to a more positive digestion etc etc. Even I used to think that a strong coffee before a morning run would charge me for better performance and improved weight management via fat burning.

I tried for a while recently to go to a half strength brew which seemed to offer the best of both worlds and did this for a few months and for a period recently the stock ran out and i was left with the super high caffeine strength alternative that my wife loves. Wow going back to that seemed to have a massive impact on my mood, energy balance and sleep.

I then decided to use up all the remaining caffeine free pods we have and immediately felt my mood improved dramatically - it is not all about sleep but having a calm and steady mind set and not letting the small things of life "blow up" in your mind and constantly become bigger issues. This effects daily life as the brain focus becomes distracted and less steady and living becomes far less comfortable each day. An ability to take clear and important decisions without undue delay is perhaps the single benefit i can see for now.

So then my light bulb moment of realisation that my relationship with caffeine needed to change and go permanently caffeine free so I can get the anti-oxidant and other health benefits with none of the really negative downsides to mental health.

If i am repeating the obvious to many of you then I am simply trying to be honest that I had never ever seen caffeine from a mental health perspective before in the terms above.

[arTistapple]

That’s really clear for you. You can’t get clearer than your own personal experience. Thankfully you have been aware enough to truly recognise it. When we are addicted (for want if a better word) we are often blind to what affects us!

[Sparklingsunshine]

I love coffee as well but went caffeine free for a few months last year when trying to go down the holistic route for my vestibular migraines. Caffeine is a very common trigger for migraine sufferers, as well as cheese, chocolate etc.

Sadly trying lifestyle changes and supplements made absolutely zero impact on my condition and I had to, very reluctantly, go onto long term meds to prevent migraine.

I've been drinking normal coffee for several months now and havent noticed any difference in my health. I do drink decaff after 3pm as I'm prone to insomnia. I have switched to mostly black coffee as I'm trying to avoid too much coffee whitener.

I guess the moral of the tale is that we are all affected differently by certain substances and caffeine affects each of us in different ways.

[Hidden]

The ‘feel good’ effect of caffeine is associated with the amino acid L Theanine. This is a really useful supplement which lowers cortisol and raises dopamine - lowering stress and aiding relaxation whilst enhancing focus. If you take it, keep an eye on your BP as it is lowered quite quickly as Cortisol decreases.

[Blissful]

Chemical junk is a cause of mental health issues, not caffeine per se.

conventional coffee is among the most heavily chemically treated foods in the world. It is steeped in synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides

info.equalexchange.coop/art...

[Regenallotment]

Totally agree with this, I gave up caffeine when pregnant over 20 years ago and the difference was extraordinary. Have had caffeine once or twice since by accident and the symptoms are awful for me.

We have the Lavazza modo mio, Lavazza decaffeinated is my personal favourite and cafe Nero best when out 🌱