Rapid blood flow and brain wave changes as the cause
Coffee is the most socially accepted drug
Kiel (pte/05.05.2009/06:10) - Caffeine stimulates the body, but can also be addictive and causes headaches and fatigue if you don't get your usual daily portion. University of Vermont College of Medicine explain why this is the case in the scientific journal Psychopharmacology. They investigated which physical processes are triggered by a sudden stop in taking caffeine. Test subjects who had taken caffeine capsules over a longer period of time showed clear reactions after stopping their intake, which were similar to the typical withdrawal symptoms of addictive substances. The speed of blood flow in the brain and the theta rhythms in the EEG image increased, which the researchers see as the most important causes of the headache. The test subjects also stated that they felt particularly tired, exhausted, listless or weak during withdrawal.
“Caffeine constricts blood vessels, which in the short term leads to faster blood flow and high blood pressure. At the same time, the oxygen supply in the cells increases,” explains Hartmut Göbel, head of the Kiel Pain Clinic , in the press release interview. The active ingredient contained in coffee, tea, cola, energy drinks and also cocoa targets the receptors that otherwise signal the cell to take a break, thereby preventing fatigue. “The problem is that the brain notices a constant dose of caffeine and gets used to it. That’s why the more caffeine you consume, the less effective it is,” says Göbel. If you deprive your body of caffeine after getting used to it, it can lead to headaches, nausea, fatigue and depression. “This was made clear by the evidence that most people have a headache on Saturday because they do not take their usual dose of coffee at the weekend.”
Medically and pharmacologically, caffeine is a drug, emphasizes Göbel. However, the dependence that arises from regular consumption is so well organized in society that it is hardly noticed. “Coffee is part of everyday life and is consumed constantly. He is always available in everyday work or at events, or you just take a coffee break.” There are also opportunities to consume coffee in all urban shopping areas, while in England the traditional tea time at five o'clock in the afternoon fulfills the same function of compensating for the usual tiredness of this time of day. “Strong tea contains the same concentration of caffeine as coffee,” says the pain doctor.
Because the stimulating effect of caffeine temporarily relieves headaches, it has long been used as a medicine. “Coca Cola was originally developed as a treatment for headaches,” says Göbel. However, the pain specialist criticizes the use of the stimulant in medication. “This is the case with the most common analgesics for headaches. These mixed preparations combine painkillers with caffeine, which increases the risk of addiction. There are patients who regularly take 30 painkillers a day for this reason.” Instead of a combination, monotherapy that uses only one active ingredient and avoids caffeine makes more sense, emphasizes the pain doctor. You can then drink coffee independently of the painkiller if you want the caffeine effect.
According to Göbel, coffee consumed in moderation is a socially acceptable drug because it increases performance. In addition, there is nothing medically wrong with up to four cups of coffee per day. “Depending on the strength, one cup contains between 30 and 100 milligrams of caffeine. However, caffeine is safe up to a dose of 200 milligrams.” If you like to drink a lot of coffee, you should make it as weak as possible, the Kiel doctor recommends. “However, it is important to give body and mind enough balance.”
Caffeine tricks brain cells into thinking they are active and energetic
Sender: pressetext.deutschland
Further reading tips on the topic
I haven't had my morning coffee for a week and have a severe headache after 1 p.m. and feel very drained. In the afternoon I drink my 2 cups of coffee as usual, but I don't feel any better afterwards. I would like to continue to avoid coffee in the morning because it is the biggest diuretic. I am a delivery person and the problems associated with this (where is a toilet) were very stressful for me. I can now endure the entire working time without a toilet.
I have now completely cut out coffee and am going “cold turkey”. I've had headaches and trouble sleeping for 3 days. But I'll get through it. 15 years ago I also gave up smoking overnight. I am confident that I will do it. But the fact that such side effects exist makes you first realize what you are dealing with.
As a rule, coffee is quite stressful for the liver. My last coffee withdrawal caused a 3 day headache that started after 30 hours of abstinence. This time I allowed it, with the result that I completely lost my appetite for coffee. Instead, I drink a glass of water with a freshly squeezed lemon in the morning: this makes up for some of the water I sweated during the night. Lemon is good for the liver and the immune system. And drinking water in the morning has exactly the same effect as drinking a cup of coffee.
Hello Volker,
Questions of this kind can be asked here: http://netz.krebsklinik.de/
Kind regards
Bettina Frank
Since my coffee consumption - at times I cover my daily fluid requirement (1.5 liters) with it - is quite "worrying", I also had this experience a few years ago when I only drank decaffeinated coffee for several weeks. But what interests me more about the above article is the statement about the effect caffeine has on blood circulation, blood vessels and oxygen absorption. I have suffered from episodic cluster headaches since 1997 (only diagnosed in 2006). In every list circulating on the Internet of pain-causing foods and beverages, coffee usually comes second, right behind alcohol. However, given the mode of action described above, caffeine should actually counteract CK in a positive way!? Where does this contradiction come from or what causes it?
I have had this experience too. When my children were little, my morning coffee often went cold. That's why I decided to give up my daily coffee. I tried that three times. Every time I would get a migraine attack around 1:00 p.m. Since then, I make sure that I drink at least 1 cup of coffee in the morning.
Actually, withdrawal can only work the same way as with any other drug: taper off very slowly.
Kind regards
Bettina Frank