Does caffeine addiction exist?

Caffeine is considered a drug, since it acts by modifying the state of the nervous system, specifically increasing the activation of the organism. However... Does that mean that by consuming this substance we can become addicted?

In this article we will talk about whether there is caffeine addiction, what disorders linked to this substance exist and what advice we can follow to avoid problems when taking products such as coffee.

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What is caffeine?

caffeine is a substance that is classified within the group of xanthines, a category that also includes theobromine, related to cocoa, and theophylline, linked to tea. On the other hand, caffeine has psychoactive effects, which means that it acts as a stimulant for the body, specifically the nervous system. It can be found in different foods such as tea or soft drinks, although the best known and most prominent is coffee.

Likewise, it has also been used as a component of drugs, with the purpose of achieving different functions: stimulating the nervous system, producing vasoconstriction or acting as a diuretic. The specific action that caffeine performs is to act

as adenosine receptor antagonist. Adenosine has a sedative and inhibitory action on the central nervous system. For this reason, caffeine, by acting as an antagonist, limits (inhibits) the action of adenosine.

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Does caffeine addiction really exist?

Caffeine is considered a drug, being one of the most consumed worldwide. In fact, it is estimated that between 80 to 85% of adults consume it. If taken in moderation, this substance can have positive effects on the subject; the most outstanding is the increase in concentration and alertness, given its stimulating function, also being useful as a diuretic, because it helps reduce fluid retention.

The problem occurs when caffeine is consumed in excess, which can lead to intoxication and withdrawal syndrome, and even lead to mental disorders such as altered mood or eating behavior, psychosis or anxiety.

Symptoms associated with caffeine intoxication vary depending on the amount of substance consumed daily: after consuming 100 mg daily restlessness, nervousness, excitement, insomnia, impaired intake, and diuresis, which consists of incontinence, may be observed urinary; By increasing the intake to 1 g per day, the symptoms become more intense and we can refer muscle contractions, logorrhea, described as verbal incontinence and racing thoughts, increased heart rate, psychomotor agitation, and lack of a sense of fatigue.

The most recent version of the Diagnostic Manual of the American Psychiatric Association (DSM 5) has described two disorders linked to caffeine: intoxication and withdrawal. Considers intoxication the symptoms produced after recently consuming caffeine (an amount greater than 250 mg), although this may vary depending on the characteristics of the subject and the frequency with which they take caffeine. To make the diagnosis, 5 or more of the aforementioned symptoms must be fulfilled, such as restlessness, diuresis, logorrhea or tachycardia. In addition, maladaptive, dysfunctional psychological or behavioral changes must be present for the subject.

Another disorder that we can diagnose is caffeine withdrawal, which can appear when you stop consuming caffeine or reduce the dose after prolonged consumption of the substance. The typical symptoms of the withdrawal syndrome are contrary to the symptoms produced by the substance. Thus, three or more symptoms must be fulfilled in order to diagnose caffeine withdrawal, such as: fatigue and drowsiness, decreased mood or difficulty concentrating, among others.

Despite the aforementioned symptomatology linked to caffeine, We cannot consider that this drug generates a consumption disorder, which consists of maladaptive patterns that produce discomfort or deterioration in the person's quality of life.

For this reason, we will say that caffeine can be classified as a drug of abuse, but the risk that the subject's life will be affected by an addiction, that is, that their consumption affects their obligations or responsibilities, is low.

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Signs that indicate that you may show addiction to caffeine

Now that we know better what are the main symptoms of intoxication and withdrawal, Let's see what signs in our daily lives can indicate that we suffer from caffeine addiction. These can be observed after 24 hours without consuming the substance. That is, if we show withdrawal symptoms after stopping eating, we can consider that we show addiction.

On many occasions, withdrawal, the discomfort that comes with stopping taking the drug, is what indicates that we have an addiction, being more difficult to identify while we are consuming.

1. Headache

A characteristic symptom of withdrawal syndrome is headache. Upon entering the bloodstream, caein works by contracting the blood vessels. For this reason when we stop consuming caffeine, when the vessels widen again, we can notice a sensation of tension and throbbing in the head, linking with migraines and headaches. This discomfort can be variable, in terms of duration and intensity, but it is estimated that after 2 or 9 days it subsides.

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2. Increased feeling of fatigue

As we mentioned before, the influence of caffeine activates the nervous system, a fact that makes the subjects who consume it feel more active. The effect of caffeine as an antagonist of adenosine, related to the feeling of tiredness, means that after stopping consuming it, the body has trouble getting used to the new state and we feel more tired and more fatigued. It will take a few days for the body to regulate itself and act normally without the need for caffeine.

3. Decreased concentration

The decrease in caffeine and, therefore, the greater action of adenosine that generates a greater feeling of fatigue in the subject, can lead to concentration problems, greater difficulty staying alert and being able to focus attention.

4. change of mood

As we have already seen, caffeine stimulates the nervous system, thus leading to a greater feeling of energy and vitality in the individual that can be related to a more positive state of mind euphoric When you stop consuming caffeine, the lower nervous activation with the consequent feeling of fatigue can lead to a more depressive-prone mood, duller and more irritable when seeing the changes that have occurred in him.

5. increased nervousness

Although stopping caffeine consumption usually leads to a greater feeling of tiredness and fatigue, we can also observe a more anxious behavior, since the subject will feel the need to consume. The person will want to drink caffeine to try to lessen withdrawal symptoms.

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How to reduce discomfort due to caffeine withdrawal syndrome?

Given the discomfort that withdrawal symptoms can cause, it is advisable to take some measures in order to reduce their intensity and try to relieve them more quickly. We will see how the majority of proposals made to overcome abstinence more easily coincide in pointing out the need to lead a healthy life, good living habits.

1. Eat a varied diet

One symptom we may see during caffeine withdrawal that we haven't mentioned yet is increased constipation. For this reason they can help us eat foods with fiber or that help us to better digest.

2. play sports

Sport shows multiple benefits both physically and mentally. It allows us to accelerate the metabolism, thus also helping to reduce constipation and providing greater activity and energy in the subject. Paradoxically, sport increases our energy level, thus combating the greater feeling of fatigue seen in caffeine withdrawal syndrome.

In the same way, it will also favor a better state of mind, since during sports practice release endorphins, related to a lesser sensation of pain and a greater ease of feeling pleasure.

3. drink water regularly

Staying hydrated is a general tip to follow. In reference to the withdrawal symptoms and specifically the headache, drinking water on a regular basis can help reduce this discomfort.

4. Replace caffeine with another drink that also gives you energy

In order to be able to replace caffeine, we can try drinks such as juices, smoothies or shakes that They provide vitamins and nutrients to the body, at the same time that they can also favor the decrease of constipation.

5. Sleep the necessary hours

A habit that people who drink coffee or caffeinated beverages frequently make is to try to reduce the sleep or fatigue by increasing the dose of caffeine consumed, but in this way we are only increasing the issue. The correct intervention would be to dedicate the relevant time to sleep and rest.