I have managed to cut out caffeine completely - saw this on the BBC today and thought it was a nice cautionary tale for how serious excessive caffeine consumption can be:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/wear/6944026.stm

Great post Sam and congrats on quitting the coffee. I just started cutting down and weaken at the thought of giving it up. It has become part of my life I guess. Anyways thanks for the post, Bruce

Interesting post. My morning coffee is half and halfand then thatis the last of it for the day. Decaf pop unless non is available so that I still have to work on. And chocolate, always chocolate. By the By, the energy drinks are really bad for your heart. My husband is a heart nurse.

My case seems a little odd. I stopped caffeine with all the headaches that go with it. Well, I really didn't notice any difference with my anxiety level and one day I was so stressed and anxious that I reached for a cup of coffee and it helped calm my nerves! Now does that make sense to anyone? I must just be weird. They can't find a med to help me and caffeine seems to calm my nerves. Anyone have any thoughts?

CAFFEINE also known as C8 H10 N4 O2, is an addictive drug that works using the same mechanisms that amphetamines, cocaine and heroin use to stimulate the brain.

Although more mild than those drugs, caffeine manipulates brain chemistry and metobolism the same way, giving it its addictive qualities. Basically, caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, making you more alert and giving you a boost of energy.

Some 90 percent of Americans consume caffeine every single day in the form of coffee, tea, soft drinks, energy drinks, chocolate and many other products. More than half of all American adults consume more than 300 mg of caffeine every day (roughly equal to two or three cups of coffee or a couple of colas), making it America's most popular drug by far.

Some people are more sensitive to the effects of caffeine than others and should consider limiting their use of caffeine as should pregnant and nursing women. Like any drug, if you stop using caffeine you will experience withdrawal symptoms.

Dona Dry

I quit drinking coffee about I year now. I noticed the effects of coffee on my nerves. I used to drink alot of coffee especially when I am working nights. I still love my coffee and I still crave for it once in a while. How about decaff. They say it still has a little bit of a trace of caffein in it. But do you think if I keep drinking decaff everyday that little bit of caffein will still have some effects on my nerves?

Hey guys and gals, I didn't think that I consumed much caffeine until my thyroid went crazy on me. I never drank a pot of coffee in the morning and did not drink soda all day long. I liked water alot and chocolate, not too interested. But I cut back and when I do have a cup of coffee in the morning before work it's decaf (which still has caffeine in it). Sometimes it's a cup in the morning, or the afternoon, or both, always decaf though. Sometimes I wont have any throughout the day. Soda, yeah, I don't drink alcohol so I'll have a soda thinking it's my way of relaxation, but even if it's caffeine free, the sugar probably is not the greatest thing either. Does anyone know how much caffeine is in decaf coffee? I've been doing this for a long time and it did'nt have such a positive affect on me as others. I think it's a great choice to make, cutting back or eliminating caffeine and do think it helps me a little and we are all made a little different.