Caffeine Abuse (addict, appetite, sleep, psychological)

[lentzr]

I am afraid that I am abusing caffeine...I am consuming at least 750mg of caffeine a day. In the morning I drink a Venti and Tall Starbuacks Coffee...according to Starbucks website 400+ and 250+ MG of caffeine in each cup. Sometimes I have a Grande Coffee later in the afternoon. In the afternoon and early evening I have at least 2 cups of green tea. Often that is follwed by 2 cups of black tea.

Why do I do this? It gets me MOVING. I am working on my Master's Degree and boy does it help. I am graduating in the Spring with a 3.8 GPA. I am too tired to do anything in the mroning but after the caffeine is pumped into my system, I can work non-stop for hours. However, all too often I can't sleep at night...that is why I do not drink cofee after 2pm. However, 700-900mg of caffeine on a daily basis is a lot. I have been doing this for several years, never much of a coffee drinker before then. I need the boost to get moving but I am concerned about the health effects. What else does it do to your sleep, appetite, blood-pressure, etc if you abuse it? How many mg is a modest number to gradually get down to? Thanks.

[20yrsinBranson]

Originally Posted by lentzr

I am afraid that I am abusing caffeine...I am consuming at least 750mg of caffeine a day. In the morning I drink a Venti and Tall Starbuacks Coffee...according to Starbucks website 400+ and 250+ MG of caffeine in each cup. Sometimes I have a Grande Coffee later in the afternoon. In the afternoon and early evening I have at least 2 cups of green tea. Often that is follwed by 2 cups of black tea.

Why do I do this? It gets me MOVING. I am working on my Master's Degree and boy does it help. I am graduating in the Spring with a 3.8 GPA. I am too tired to do anything in the mroning but after the caffeine is pumped into my system, I can work non-stop for hours. However, all too often I can't sleep at night...that is why I do not drink cofee after 2pm. However, 700-900mg of caffeine on a daily basis is a lot. I have been doing this for several years, never much of a coffee drinker before then. I need the boost to get moving but I am concerned about the health effects. What else does it do to your sleep, appetite, blood-pressure, etc if you abuse it? How many mg is a modest number to gradually get down to? Thanks.

I'd give everything if caffeine would get me MOVING. *sigh* Sorry, I know my post is no help. I just had to vent.

20yrsinBranson

[grannynancy]

Mix in decaf with your regular coffee. Buy a coffee pot and a thermos*and start with straight coffee then slowly mix in decaf --- a lot of it can be psychological. I am down to one regular cup in the morning and the decaf and no-caffiene herbal tea during the day.

Excercise a bit to get more energy [dont make the excuse you dont have time because you are in grad school; been there done that - life does not get easier]

*or if you are intent on spending the money at Starbucks [I thought grad students were poor souls] then have them mix it in the cup - I am sure they will.

[Dorthy]

Originally Posted by lentzr

What else does it do to your sleep, appetite, blood-pressure, etc if you abuse it? How many mg is a modest number to gradually get down to? Thanks.

This is an interesting article of what caffeine can do to your adrenal glands, leading to adrenal exhaustion: The hidden dangers of caffeine: How coffee causes exhaustion, fatigue and addiction (http://www.naturalnews.com/012352_caffeine_coffee_sugar.html - broken link)

When you consume caffeine, the drug begins its effects by initiating uncontrolled neuron firing in your brain, according to Stephen Cherniske in his book, Caffeine Blues. This excess neuron activity triggers your pituitary gland to secrete a hormone that tells your adrenal glands to produce adrenalin. <snip>By stimulating your adrenal glands to produce adrenalin, caffeine puts your body in this "fight-or-flight" state, which is useless while you're just sitting at your desk. When this adrenal high wears off later, you feel the drop in terms of fatigue, irritability, headache or confusion.

[pitt_transplant]

Eat breakfast instead of drinking liquid speed! You get energy from calories, nutrients and the illusion of it from stimulants. In the morning have a Vivanno Smoothie + apple from starbucks after a espresso shot. Less caffeine and you will have way more energy that is lasting.