9 signs that you are relying too much on coffee

What is coffee dependency?

Coffee dependence is a condition that occurs when you need to drink more coffee than is recommended to get the feeling and effects you want and can stop using it on your own accord. Strictly speaking, coffee is not an addictive substance nor is it addictive, it does not damage the prefrontal cortex – the part that helps you to think rationally but can only cause dependence like above only.

Carrie Lam MD, FAAMFM, co-founder and medical director of Lam Clinic, says people become dependent on caffeine when they drink it daily and increase their tolerance to the substance.

Signs of coffee dependence

Signs of coffee dependence will appear as early as about 12 hours after drinking the last cup without any more. Some of the most noticeable and common symptoms are:

– Headache

– Tired

– Irritability

– Difficulty concentrating

– Nausea

Some other signs are:

– Want to cut down or control your caffeine use but have difficulty or obstacles?

– Consume more caffeine over time than you would like

Continue to use caffeine despite the negative effects

– Caffeine appears frequently in your daily life

Ways to cut down on caffeine

1. Record daily caffeine intake

Keeping a record of your caffeine intake helps you be conscious of your portion sizes and figure out what makes you drink more of it. A 2016 study found that people who drank too much caffeine (more than 600mg per day) were able to significantly cut back on their intake by taking notes and getting counseling.

2. Cut back gradually

To avoid severe withdrawal symptoms, reduce caffeine gradually. For example, you can lose one cup per day or every two days.

3. Use other drinks instead

Choosing a lower-caffeine beverage can also help you reduce your intake while remaining healthy. For example, black tea and green tea are two drinks with lower caffeine content than coffee, energy drinks.

4. Get enough sleep

Having enough, quality sleep and repeating it every day is a way to prevent yourself from being tired and sleepy, thereby reducing the need to consume caffeine.

5. Drink enough water

Drinking enough water helps dilute caffeine levels, helping the kidneys to detoxify caffeine and its metabolites more quickly. In addition, drinking enough water also makes your hands, mouth and stomach busier, thereby reducing caffeine cravings.

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