How does caffeine affect you?

[Aneka]

I've heard so many interesting things about how neurodivergent people deal with caffeine, so if you've got anything to share about your experience, please do!

For me, I've found out recently (after finally quitting, which I had been trying to do for like 20 years) that caffeine has basically no effect on me whatsoever; every time I used to drink it, it wouldn't really keep me awake when I wanted it to, and I apparently unnecessarily blamed my insomnia (which I still have) on caffeine altogether because there's been absolutely no change after months of being clean.

I've heard that for some people it relaxes them, makes them more focused, or just makes them super jittery. What about you?

I'm literally allergic to coffee and my mum as well. My mum actually got tested, I'm experiencing the same issues. It's not the caffeine though.

 

[tree]

During the first minute after ingesting caffeine,
I feel tense, like I am about to fly into pieces.

After that I get hives.

I am allergic to caffeine.

 

[Aneka]

I've actually been wondering if people with ASD / ADHD have issues with alcohol like this as well; years ago I walked into the ER for some ongoing health stuff, they cleared me, but they couldn't let me leave because apparently my blood pressure was ungodly-high. I had like 3 drinks prior and I always got massive hangovers after just 2 beers, so apparently it was really doing something odd to my system each time.

I wonder if the ASD metabolism of chemicals is somehow altered

I once had a whole night of panick attacks and diarrhea from a couple glasses of red wine lol

 

[Human Avatar]

It makes me dependent on it. I am a full blown caffeine addict. I can’t function without it .

 

[AspieChris]

caffeine has basically no effect on me whatsoever

Me too. I have stopped drinking caffeinated drinks several times in the last 20 years and I saw no changes. I make jokes to my coworkers because I want to seem normal…. Like “I’m fine, except for being tired and pissed off” But I really don’t feel anything.

Caffeine has a flavor. It sort of stings my throat. I crave that feeling, like scratching an itch. Thats what keeps me hooked.

 

[Outdated]

For me, I've found out recently (after finally quitting, which I had been trying to do for like 20 years) that caffeine has basically no effect on me whatsoever; every time I used to drink it, it wouldn't really keep me awake when I wanted it to, and I apparently unnecessarily blamed my insomnia (which I still have) on caffeine altogether because there's been absolutely no change after months of being clean.

This is exactly the same as me. I drink real coffee, not the instant rubbish, and on a cold winter's night I like a nice hot coffee before going to bed. That's the only effect coffee seems to have on me, it increases my body temperature for a little while.

As for waking up in the morning, the smell of the ground coffee does more than actually drinking it. For some reason the smell always makes me feel more alert.

 

[AspieChris]

Caffeine never used to bother me but I had to quit it completely due to bone issues as my doctor said it can worsen bone loss in women. She said to picture the caffeine molecules carrying away tiny calcium molecules. Yes, over simplified but at times I need that to prevent getting overloaded with info and forgetting it all these days (I sometimes do better with pictures in my mind then words, she was an awesome doctor who always tried to make sure i understood the whys lol)
But I too found out at that time that maybe I had just got so used to it I didn't know it was affecting me as I could drink a pot of coffee and sleep, unless insomnia hit. Now that I was off it for over ten years, if I have more than a cup, I get jittery and shake and it's not a good feeling at all. I became a tisane drinker, so I still got that morning cup without the caffeine.
I did drink a lot when younger because everyone I knew did as well, I ALWAYS was a sick mess the next day. Now I just don't drink, and never once have I missed the stupid way I would get when I drank or that horrible next day. I know alcohol wasn't in the first question but since it was brought up, I figured I'd add my experience with that as well.

I still drink. In the correct amount, it basically cures my Asperger’s (I know it’s not a disease, but it makes me ‘normal’). Unfortunately…. it often has unwanted consequences.

I get drunk, wake up sometimes still drunk, and push myself to work harder that ever before. Mostly because I’m stubborn. But if I can’t work with a hangover, then I just can’t drink.

And Mountain Dew is my choice for caffeine too. Especially when I’m hungover.

 

[Sablerose]

AspieChris I still drink real coffee (brewed) for my asthma from time to time, there is a chemical property in caffine and chocolate that acts like theophylline (think that's the right one) which helps open airways if I'm not around my meds and have an attack it can and does help for me.

 

[Magna]

Having ADHD, caffeine has a calming effect on me overall; the opposite of people without ADHD. I use it daily but I must be extremely measured in the amount I take in and it has to be pretty consistent from day to day. Otherwise I end up wanting to drink more and more of it and then I get hammered with caffeine withdrawal headaches and sometimes migraines.

I drink alcohol maybe once or twice per year and then it's just a single scotch and soda. I can't even remember the last time I actually had any alcohol. Not my thing. Too obtuse.

Caffeine is one of only two drugs I consume, period. The other is cannabis. Combining them is amusingly known as a: "Hippie Speedball".

 

[Ella Spell]

My family is all quite sensitive to it. My auntie used to pass out if her tea steeped too long. I get shakes from more than 1/4 cup of coffee and have never finished a whole cup.


I can't drink it at all since being on ADHD meds.

 

[Dagan]

It actually helps me. I first tried it to see if it helped migraines. It keeps them away almost completely. I might get a couple per year, now. Otherwise, it helps me focus a little better, and at night, it helps me focus watching or listening to something so that I can better get to sleep.

In contrast, though, I do not choose getting coffee at somewhere like a Starbucks that is busy and noisy. If it's where I have to meet someone for a business reason, okay, but aside from that...nope...not where I want to be. Coffee like a stereotypical old person in the country or outdoor setting...definitely better.

 

[Shevek]

I reserve it for special occasions, like having to drive all night. It ruins my shaky grip on maintaining a circadian rhythm, and costs a withdrawal/makeup rest that is hard to get to.
A friend of mine without medical insurance noticed that his heart was skipping a lot of beats. He started reading the literature on heart problems, and didn't understand a lot of the words. One that he did recognize came up frequently, though - caffeine. He was drinking about six cups a day from a vending machine, and quit that. Soon his heart was steady again.

 

[betazoid]

Caffeine affects me in a weird way. When I was younger it would put me to sleep. It took me ages to realise it was the caffeine doing it, so I'd drink more to try to wake myself up and end up basically unable to sit down without falling asleep. I even had to stop the car once because I knew I was gonna pass out on the road. I'd had a couple iced coffees that day. I only ever rarely drank coffee or anything else containing caffeine so it wasn't usually much of a problem. My tolerance for it did seem to get worse over the years, though. It got to the point where even a small, coffee-flavoured chocolate would be too much caffeine for me and I'd feel jittery and nauseous for a few hours. In more recent years, it's given me heart palpitations, which aren't fun. I've completely cut out all caffeine now. I read online about some sort of relatively rare genetic difference that leads people to have similar reactions to caffeine as I do, and that it isn't good for those people to have any caffeine at all as it can increase the risk of heart attack and other fun stuff. I'm assume that this is what I have, as my mother had more or less identical reactions to caffeine and stopped drinking it in all forms a decade or more ago.

*shrug*

 

[elgat0verde]

For me, I've found out recently (after finally quitting, which I had been trying to do for like 20 years) that caffeine has basically no effect on me whatsoever; every time I used to drink it, it wouldn't really keep me awake when I wanted it to, and I apparently unnecessarily blamed my insomnia (which I still have) on caffeine altogether because there's been absolutely no change after months of being clean.

I've also quit coffee recently but I drank it only in the mornings.

Coffee is quite interesting for me, it doesn't have any real energetic effects on me (I drank it because I really like the flavor) but I can't drink more than 2 or 3 cups, If I drink more than that I get dizzy and am uncomfortable for a while.

Once I get a job I'll probably start drinking it once more.

 

[Rodafina]

It scratches an itch that I can’t put my finger on.

 

[Judge]

It's always there when I need to get through the day (and night) without being drowsy.

The only caveat being its addictive aspects, so that I must ingest it in moderation and not to consume it on a regular basis. Otherwise if I do get hooked, I get those inevitable withdrawal headaches for a few days when I slow down or go cold turkey on my caffeine intake.

 

[Au Naturel]

Caffeine helps me wake up a bit. After a few hours, it wears off and I'll take a nap. As you drink it over time your body gets better at processing it and the effect isn't as strong. It can be a bit addicting.

Some people get weekend headaches. Work often provides free coffee to increase productivity. During the week they drink lots of coffee because they are constantly sleep-deprived. Weekend comes and there is no pot of coffee waiting for them or anyone to socialize with around the coffee station. They sleep in instead of putting away a pot of coffee in the am. Headaches, irritability, and fatigue hit. That's because caffeine suppresses your natural epinephrine production and it doesn't spool up immediately when you stop.

Sensitivity to caffeine varies widely.

 

[Metalhead]

Coffee is my liquid motivation. When I go more than 48 hours without a cup, I get cranky.

 

[Fino]

I like it!

 

[Jonn]

Coffee is my liquid motivation. When I go more than 48 hours without a cup, I get cranky.

For me, when I have coffee, I get cranky.