# Benefits of ‘cold turkey’ vs slowly decreasing consumption for caffeine
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benefits-of-cold-turkey-vs-slowly-decreasing-consumption-for-caffeine/419766
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [September 19, 2007, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benefits-of-cold-turkey-vs-slowly-decreasing-consumption-for-caffeine/419766 "2007-09-19T17:41:59Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@FlippyFly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlippyFly)
#### Post date: [September 19, 2007, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benefits-of-cold-turkey-vs-slowly-decreasing-consumption-for-caffeine/419766/1 "2007-09-19T17:41:59Z")
Benefits of ‘cold turkey’ vs slowly decreasing consumption for caffeine
I have decided to drink less caffeine and artificial sweetener, mainly in the form of Diet Coke. With this goal in mind, is it generally better to quit something ‘cold turkey’ or better to slowly decrease my intake over time? Has any research on the short and long term success of each method been conducted?
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### Author:  [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)
#### Post date: [September 19, 2007, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benefits-of-cold-turkey-vs-slowly-decreasing-consumption-for-caffeine/419766/2 "2007-09-19T17:51:04Z")
I, too, am cutting down on caffeine, though with me it’s on doctor’s orders.
I have elected to go with a tapering-off plan, mainly because I get caffeine-withdrawal migraines, and I don’t want to subject my co-workers to that.
I know that there’s a strong contingent of folks who believe that it’s easier to get all the withdrawal over with all at once, and if I worked at home or something, that’s probably what I’d do, but in my case, I think this will work better.
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### Author:  [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)
#### Post date: [September 19, 2007, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benefits-of-cold-turkey-vs-slowly-decreasing-consumption-for-caffeine/419766/3 "2007-09-19T20:30:50Z")
Like **KneadToKnow** , I was instructed to stop the caffeine for medical reasons, and I also used to get killer caffeine-withdrawl headaches. Right after I got these instructions I had to go to France for a week on business. I figured that my morning routine of 2 cups before 10 a.m. would get all screwed up anyway what with jet lag and time differences, so I bit the bullet and went cold turkey.
It sucked. I wanted nothing more than to curl up in my bed at home every day and moan until my headaches went away, but I was on my feet at a conference and exhibition for 10 hours a day. So that couldn’t happen. At night I’d try to deaden the pain a bit by getting a nice wine buzz on, but that just made me feel buzzy with a headache.
But by the time I landed in New York, it was like I had just checked out of Promises, but without the fame. I felt like a new caffeine-free man.
Overall, I’d recommend the slow reduction method.
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### Author:  [@Raygun99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raygun99)
#### Post date: [September 19, 2007, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benefits-of-cold-turkey-vs-slowly-decreasing-consumption-for-caffeine/419766/4 "2007-09-19T20:55:05Z")
I heartily do not recommend cold turkey for getting off caffeine. I tried that once, and the headache was so bad I threw up.
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### Author:  [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)
#### Post date: [September 19, 2007, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benefits-of-cold-turkey-vs-slowly-decreasing-consumption-for-caffeine/419766/5 "2007-09-19T21:08:59Z")
I got off caffeine years ago, and did mostly the cold-turkey approach. When the headaches were unbearable, I took a little Excedrin, and that contains some caffeine, so I guess I was really sort of just slowing down. But I thought of it as cold-turkey. It took about a month.
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### Author:  [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)
#### Post date: [September 19, 2007, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benefits-of-cold-turkey-vs-slowly-decreasing-consumption-for-caffeine/419766/6 "2007-09-19T21:26:13Z")
With addictions in general, the main problem with tapering off is the psychologic back-sliding inclination. You do one of those “well, I’ll just have an extra half a cup today because of the big meeting” things in your head and before you know it, you’re back where you were.
If you have iron will, then maybe not a problem. But very, very few people do.
With cold turkey, it’s hard to go from none to some and still try to fool yourself.
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### Author:  [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)
#### Post date: [September 19, 2007, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benefits-of-cold-turkey-vs-slowly-decreasing-consumption-for-caffeine/419766/7 "2007-09-19T22:41:49Z")
Cold turkey vs taper?
Do you think it’s an act of kindness to hang a man slowly?
True cold turkey off caffeine should take about 3 days. 2 of which will be hell.
A strict taper schedule should make it fairly painless if done over 2-3 weeks. But many many folks fail to adhere, and as a result get intermittently moderately uncomfortable for months.
One should choose the method to suit their personality.
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### Author:  [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)
#### Post date: [September 19, 2007, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benefits-of-cold-turkey-vs-slowly-decreasing-consumption-for-caffeine/419766/8 "2007-09-19T22:46:05Z")
When I’ve done it, it was cold turkey, I had 2 days of mild headaches, then I was fine. I should probably quit again, even tho all I have is one can of diet coke a day and the occasional rare cup of tea.
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### Author:  [@Morelin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morelin)
#### Post date: [September 19, 2007, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benefits-of-cold-turkey-vs-slowly-decreasing-consumption-for-caffeine/419766/9 "2007-09-19T23:37:45Z")
[QUOTE=C K Dexter Haven]
I got off caffeine years ago, and did mostly the cold-turkey approach. When the headaches were unbearable, I took a little Excedrin, and that contains some caffeine, so I guess I was really sort of just slowing down. But I thought of it as cold-turkey. It took about a month.
[/QUOTE]
Some? I’m not supposed to have ANY caffeine. A cup of coffee is too much(I have heart problems). I had a really, really bad headache one day, and risked half a dose of Excedrin.
Usually, when I overdose on caffeine I feel the effects, dizziness, passing out, etc. the next day. When I took Excedrin, I spent the same day sitting in a chair and afraid to get up. I’ve decided to weather through migraines and threw out all the Excedrin in the house.
Anyway, I’ve found if I drink a coke(Because Coke won’t make Cherry Coke caffeine-free) or glass of iced tea two days in a row, I get the withdrawal headache(although I can chug it down all day and fall asleep within minutes). I just go cold turkey and smile through the pain.
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### Author:  [@phouka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phouka)
#### Post date: [September 20, 2007, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benefits-of-cold-turkey-vs-slowly-decreasing-consumption-for-caffeine/419766/10 "2007-09-20T01:43:31Z")
The last time I went cold turkey off of caffeine, I had a week of blistering headaches and two weeks of being so sleepy, I would fall asleep anytime I wasn’t standing up. However, if I try to quit by tapering off, I’m back at my normal consumption by the end of the week.
So, when I quit caffeine again (and hopefully for the last time), it’ll be when I have some time to sleep and have headaches without damaging the people around me.
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### Author:  [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)
#### Post date: [September 20, 2007, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benefits-of-cold-turkey-vs-slowly-decreasing-consumption-for-caffeine/419766/11 "2007-09-20T01:56:33Z")
hijack how bad for you is caffeine?
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### Author:  [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)
#### Post date: [September 20, 2007, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benefits-of-cold-turkey-vs-slowly-decreasing-consumption-for-caffeine/419766/12 "2007-09-20T02:16:42Z")
[QUOTE=An Gadaí]
hijack how bad for you is caffeine?
[/QUOTE]
For most people it’s pretty neutral. It may even have some mild benefits with limited use.
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### Author:  [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)
#### Post date: [September 20, 2007, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benefits-of-cold-turkey-vs-slowly-decreasing-consumption-for-caffeine/419766/13 "2007-09-20T12:20:16Z")
[QUOTE=C K Dexter Haven]
It took about a month.
[/QUOTE]
:eek:
[QUOTE=Qadgop the Mercotan]
A strict taper schedule should make it fairly painless if done over 2-3 weeks.
[/quote]
:eek:
_How much coffee do you drink?_ The advice I give to anyone who asks is to count how many (standard 6 ounce) cups you drink each day, and that is how many days to allow. Each day drink one cup less, and you’ll never notice a thing.
No one I know has had a problem with that schedule. If you only drink a cup or two a day, then the addiction is not so strong, and a day or two is enough. If you drink 8 to 10 cups a day, then the addiction is a lot stronger, but you’re getting almost your whole dose, so I’d think that the withdrawal symptoms are relatively minor.
I’m not saying you guys are wrong, but what part of the story am I not understanding right?
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### Author:  [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)
#### Post date: [September 20, 2007, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benefits-of-cold-turkey-vs-slowly-decreasing-consumption-for-caffeine/419766/14 "2007-09-20T13:09:04Z")
**Keeve** , I was at around 6 - 8 cups a day. My “month” may be an exaggeration, it was many years ago and my memory is a li’l faulty. Also, I do get allergy headaches, so it’s not clear what headache symptoms were withdrawal and what were just-plain-headaches.
Um, what’s this thread about?
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### Author:  [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)
#### Post date: [September 20, 2007, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benefits-of-cold-turkey-vs-slowly-decreasing-consumption-for-caffeine/419766/15 "2007-09-20T14:46:23Z")
[QUOTE=Keeve]
_How much coffee do you drink?_ The advice I give to anyone who asks is to count how many (standard 6 ounce) cups you drink each day, and that is how many days to allow. Each day drink one cup less, and you’ll never notice a thing.
[/QUOTE]
Heh. You deal with lightweights, not caffeine addicts! Cutting down by one cup a day does take 2-3 weeks! 😃
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### Author:  [@plnnr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/plnnr)
#### Post date: [September 20, 2007, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benefits-of-cold-turkey-vs-slowly-decreasing-consumption-for-caffeine/419766/16 "2007-09-20T15:42:36Z")
Why do we get those skull-crushing, puke-inducing headaches when we stop caffiene consumption? I tend to go cold turkey and suffer through a day of headaches and them I’m fine - but that one day can be a killer.
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### Author:  [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)
#### Post date: [September 20, 2007, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benefits-of-cold-turkey-vs-slowly-decreasing-consumption-for-caffeine/419766/17 "2007-09-20T15:59:28Z")
[QUOTE=plnnr]
Why do we get those skull-crushing, puke-inducing headaches when we stop caffiene consumption? I tend to go cold turkey and suffer through a day of headaches and them I’m fine - but that one day can be a killer.
[/QUOTE]
> [@](#):
>
> Because adenosine, in part, serves to regulate blood pressure by causing vasodilation, the increased effects of adenosine due to caffeine withdrawal cause the blood vessels of the head to dilate, leading to an excess of blood in the head and causing a headache and nausea. Reduced catecholamine activity may cause feelings of fatigue and drowsiness. A reduction in serotonin levels when caffeine use is stopped can cause anxiety, irritability, inability to concentrate and diminished motivation to initiate or to complete daily tasks; in extreme cases it may cause mild depression. Together, these effects have come to be known as a “crash”.[citation needed]Withdrawal symptoms—possibly including headache, irritability, an inability to concentrate, and stomach aches[50]—may appear within 12 to 24 hours after discontinuation of caffeine intake, peak at roughly 48 hours, and usually last from one to five days, representing the time required for the number of adenosine receptors in the brain to revert to “normal” levels, uninfluenced by caffeine consumption.
From [here](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caffeine). Citations are needed, but that pretty well sums it up for me.
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### Author:  [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)
#### Post date: [September 20, 2007, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benefits-of-cold-turkey-vs-slowly-decreasing-consumption-for-caffeine/419766/18 "2007-09-20T16:36:59Z")
[QUOTE=Qadgop the Mercotan]
Heh. You deal with lightweights, not caffeine addicts! Cutting down by one cup a day does take 2-3 weeks! 😃
[/QUOTE]
Word.
Actually, for me a “cup” a day probably would only take about 8 days since I only have an 8 “cup” coffemaker, but the problem is I don’t drink 8 “cups” of coffee: I drink (depening on the morning) either 2 very large mugs or 2 good-sized travel mugs. So, I’m doing my decreasing on weekends, when I can drink a “cup” at a time, then sort of staying at that level for a week, then decreasing again the next weekend.
That’s the plan, anyway.
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### Author:  [@Kevbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kevbo)
#### Post date: [September 20, 2007, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benefits-of-cold-turkey-vs-slowly-decreasing-consumption-for-caffeine/419766/19 "2007-09-20T18:30:39Z")
I friend of mine tapered off coffee by progressivly mixing in a higher and higher ratio of decaf each day to each cup. By the time he got to 2/3 decaf or so, he decided he didn’t like the taste, and quit outright at that point.
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### Author:  [@BlinkingDuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlinkingDuck)
#### Post date: [September 20, 2007, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benefits-of-cold-turkey-vs-slowly-decreasing-consumption-for-caffeine/419766/20 "2007-09-20T19:39:37Z")
One of my favorite anecdotes about caffeine is I knew a guy (a friend) that kicked heroin and cocaine habits cold turkey…
…and a couple years later couldn’t give up caffeine. Now, he said he didn’t take it nearly as serious but he thought it would be a walk in the park. 🙂
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