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brokencode 13 hours ago

Why should they feel like cutting back? Where’s the evidence that it’s bad for you?

ifh-hn 13 hours ago | parent | next [-]

I cut back because I found that I couldn't go a day without it without a massive headache.

Took me 2 weeks to stop craving coffee. And about a month until I started to feel right.

I still have the occasional coffee but don't drink it every day. I like it this way.

I miss it like I missed cigarettes after I quit those.

nomel 13 hours ago | parent | next [-]

Is there a net benefit that you see, ignoring the fact that you're no longer dependent?

I've stopped a half dozen times, for around a month each time, but I found that I like the way my brain functions with coffee. The risk of a headache seems like a net win for me, in the grand scheme, especially since I try to do what I can to reduce the risk of dementia and Alzheimers.

ifh-hn 13 hours ago | parent [-]

I suppose for me the net benefit is I can do without it. I don't like the feeling of being dependent on something.

I like that I can just get up and go do something without having to get a coffee to stave off a headache and be fully functional.

Like I say I'm not t-total I just have a different relationship with coffee now, one where I'm in control and I can use it rather than needing it.

13 hours ago | parent | prev [-]
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al_borland 13 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

I constantly hear coffee drinkers say how much they drink with shame and that they should cut back. It's one of the most common things I hear when someone is talking about their coffee consumption.

Personally, I stopped drinking caffeine when I was around 19 after I figured out it was the source of my chronic headaches (from withdrawal). I had to talk my dad out of taking me to a neurologist at one point in high school. My quality of life went up significantly after cutting caffeine and going through the week-long headache.

brokencode 13 hours ago | parent [-]

Shame due to what? Because they are suffering somehow or because they feel like it must be bad for them because they enjoy it?

al_borland 12 hours ago | parent [-]

I can’t speak for them, there are a variety of reasons they might lead to it. But I do see shame/regret being the emotion.

An example could be that they don’t like admitting how dependent they are on it to function. Reading between the lines, this is vibe I pick up most. Some others in the comments have stated this explicitly as true for them as well.

Imustaskforhelp 12 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Coffee (caffeine related products really) from my understanding seems to harshly impact deep sleep.

If you are asking in good faith (which I hope you do because its HN and we are curious people, aren't we!), I recommend looking at r/decaf for seeing people's experience that they are sharing regarding it.

Also upvoting @bossyTeacher comments and re-sharing the good points that they have made:

- High heart rate and blood pressure

- Increased risk of arrhtymia

- Less deep sleep

- Disruption to your cortisol level dynamics

bulbar 5 hours ago | parent [-]

Interesting, as far as I remember, those effects did not show up in studies (yet?). But it's been years since I looked it up on examine.com which was mostly free back then.

bossyTeacher 13 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

It causes:

- High heart rate and blood pressure

- Increased risk of arrhtymia

- Less deep sleep

- Disruption to your cortisol level dynamics

Whether you consider all of them not "bad" or worth the benefits is up to you. People also consider moderate consumption of alcohol worth its benefits.

Everyone has a different risk profile. Know the risks and choose as you please.

bulbar 5 hours ago | parent [-]

Your sure those effects have manifested in studies for moderate caffeine consumption?

Maybe the general consumption went up over the years. I think around 200mg per day was considered safe? That would be around two European-sized drinks.