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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Saturday April 14, 2007 Charleston, South Carolina |
Caffeine levels double when quitting smoking
Amazingly, nicotine somehow doubles the rate by which the body depletes caffeine. In a 1997 study published in Addictive Behaviors, smokers trying to quit were randomly assigned to either caffeine-use or caffeine-abstinence conditions. "Results showed a significant linear increase in caffeine sputum levels across 3 weeks post cessation for those who quit smoking and continued using caffeine. Three weeks after cessation, concentrations reached 203% of baseline for the caffeine user."
Imagine ending all nicotine use, continuing to drink the exact same amount of caffeine and at 21 days having twice as much caffeine circulating in your bloodstream.
Although it could potentially be of serious concern to heavy caffeine users -- defined by the Mayo Clinic as 500 to 600 mg. of caffeine daily, or 4 to 7 cups of coffee -- withdrawal syndrome assessment in this study suggests that a doubling of caffeine intake probably shouldn't concern most quitters.
"It is possible that some people's tolerances with caffeine may have fluctuated back and forth over time after quitting," says Joel Spitzer, a 30-year full-time quitting counselor and education director at WhyQuit.com.
The question may be, can the quitter handle drinking twice their normal caffeine intake without experiencing additional anxiety, shaking, insomnia, gastric or digestive disturbance? Keep in mind when attempting to go to sleep that a cup of tea before bed may now pack twice the punch.
"Anyone who feels jittery after a few days of quitting should examine his or her caffeine consumption levels. Many find that they cannot tolerate caffeine consumption at prequit levels," says Spitzer. "If you are experiencing a jittery feeling you may want to experiment with reducing quantity or strength of caffeinated drinks or products."
But aside from finding that few caffeine drinkers have anything to worry about, another lesson from the 1997 study is that trying to end all caffeine use when ending nicotine use results in a significant increase in fatigue and decrease in stimulation.
If concerned that elevated caffeine levels are causing added anxiety, applying the 1997 study's finding of a doubling suggests that, at least temporarily, a caffeine reduction of roughly half may be of benefit.
But jitters or no jitters, remember, it is impossible to relapse and fail so long as the bloodstream remains 100% nicotine-free. Upon ending all nicotine use there's just one rule ... no nicotine today, Never Take Another Puff, Dip or Chew.
Compiled 04/14/07, last updated 04/14/07 at 09:30 EST
Related Reading
- WhyQuit - The Internet's oldest forum devoted to the art, science and psychology of abrupt nicotine cessation
- Joel's Reinforcement Articles - 95 short stop smoking articles on every recovery topic imaginable
- "Never Take Another Puff" - a PDF book containing all 95 Reinforcement articles
- Freedom from Tobacco - an online peer education and support forum
- Joel's Video and Audio Quit Smoking Lessons - Movie and sound clips in which Joel shares a host of important nicotine dependency recovery lessons
- Daily Quitting Lesson Guide - This guide suggests daily video and reading lessons for specific days during the first two weeks
- Ask Joel - A forum where you can ask America's leading nicotine cessation counselor your quitting question
- 50 Quitting Tips - A short summary of quit smoking tips
