After seeing what happens to my brain on coffee, it’s made me rethink my daily dose of morning and afternoon espresso. I can say that after going almost a full month without regular intakes of coffee has been a curious journey. To summarize my experience, I would say that I am not entirely comfortable with caffeine’s effect on my mind and body. And after reading Dr. Travis Bradberry’s post on LinkedIn, Caffeine: The Silent Killer of Success, I am even more skittish about returning to this delicious beverage.
Take a look at this diagram and you’ll see what I mean:
If you add some of these side-effects together, you can create a perfect storm of failure and breakdown. This explains some of my own meltdowns. :-/ And since establishing a greater distance from caffeine and being mindful of its effects, I have been particularly sensitive to it on the few occasions I’ve had it this month. This is what’s gotten my attention the most. I’ve never thought of coffee being like a drug, but it really is!
I feel like I am approaching a crossroads once my month of little to no coffee is over. Will I go back to having it regularly? Should I continue to keep my distance and avoid some of these awful side effects?
If I am really tired, perhaps a nap would better? And if I need to increase my alertness during my work day, maybe a short walk or something that boosts my heart rate would better than enjoying that fresh cup of coffee.
Mmmmm. Just thinking about having a cup of coffee sounds yummy….
sigh
What do you think?
[Diagram and HT via LinkedIn | Top image of coffee via dongga BS via Compfight cc]
Paul Prins says
I get what you’re saying, but wouldn’t a better solution be to work on ones emotional management and stress tolerance? I’ve also done fasts from caffeine, and after the initial extremely minor withdraw symptoms (minor head aches and fatigue) there wasn’t really a change.
The prevalence of cafés in Europe is often cited as one of the precursors to the enlightenment. Caffeine is not some evil drug, but a rather mild stimulant. But to each their own.
Eric Dye says
The effects of caffeine will vary from person to person. Evil drug? No way. In fact, once my month is over, I’ll probably return to my morning cup. HOWEVER, I am going to be much, MUCH more careful about having too many cups—unlike before. 🙂
Dustin says
Kudos for taking charge of your health like that…and in Italy of all places! They may not have invented coffee, but they sure perfected it! I drastically cut back on my caffeine intake (coffee and pop) about a year ago when I noticed that, while resting, my heart would beat very irregularly. I cut back to 1-2 cups of coffee max/day and w/i a couple days I was feeling normal again. I don’t think I would ever cut it out completely, I just enjoy it too much…but moderation is a must.
Eric Dye says
I am with you Dustin. I will get back to drinking it again, but with much more caution than before. For me, anyway. 🙂
Chip Dizard says
Right in time for National Coffee Day! But seriously, a timely article. Thanks for sharing Eric.
Eric Dye says
🙂
Justin K. says
Love my coffee. Can go without it for weeks if life brings me to countries where the coffee is just terrible. Can drink coffee before going to sleep, no effect on quality of sleep. Can drink 6 cups a day, or none, no difference. Guess it just works differently on other folks or perhaps it’s mostly in their mind? My wife swears she can’t drink coffee past noon or it will keep her awake at night. Thats pretty amazing, that one cup of coffee has that effect 12 hours later… if you list all the effects of coffee, you should also include the growing positive effects of coffee being discovered.
Eric Dye says
Ah, yes. We’ve covered the good effects of coffee, too. I think balance is really key—also knowing yourself. Like you said, it doesn’t effect you like it does other people. In fact, I’ve known people who become CALMER with coffee. Something about their body chemical balance or something. Pretty crazy. 🙂 (In fact, I am enjoying a cup of coffee right now!)