Withdrawal Symptoms

Withdrawal (or discontinuation syndrome) takes by definition the unpleasant physical reaction that accompanies not taking a drug or stimulant. It is mostly characterized by the inverse of certain effects that the drug in question has in the body since the central nervous system has adapted to certain conditions (a process called “neuro-adaptation”). After prolonged exposure, a total of five categories of withdrawal symptoms due to intake caffeine are mainly characterized by headache, fatigue or drowsiness, dysphoric or depressed mood, difficulty concentrating and flu like somatic symptoms (that include tremor, nausea, vomiting).

The time course after administration usually occurs 12 to 24 hours after terminating caffeine intake; but of course, this is relative; since dosing parameters vary between individuals; but the minimal dose to feel certain withdrawal symptoms occurs after abstinence from a dose of 100 mg/day. Withdrawal symptoms can be avoided or suppressed by taking even more of a substance containing the compound.

Drug tolerance implies the response to repeated constant dose of the drug or the need to increase doses to maintain a constant response. Caffeine remains an interesting subject since drinkers usually develop tolerance to the secondary effects of the drug. Prolonged exposure of the drug shows a tolerance to the jitteriness, anxiety and edginess that result from first-time users.

(Information extracted from the American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse)