Caffeine Tolerant vs. Caffeine Free Med Student

[SangriaSalsa]

I drank coffee in undergrad and felt great, but after a couple months, the same dose no longer did anything and made me tired. Is it better to not consume caffeine, or consume caffeine and deal with the increased dose needed and possible withdrawal if caffeine is not consumed?

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[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

I don’t consume caffeine, and I never have any of the issues my classmates have when they can’t get their coffee or it wasn’t strong enough. I’d hate to have headaches and feel horrible just because I couldn’t drink something in the morning.

 

[HomeSkool]

I drank coffee in undergrad and felt great, but after a couple months, the same dose no longer did anything and made me tired. Is it better to not consume caffeine, or consume caffeine and deal with the increased dose needed and possible withdrawal if caffeine is not consumed?

The most ideal situation is to get to where you have no chemical dependence at all and don't have to worry about withdrawal symptoms. If you need to taper your consumption to get there, it's best to do so during a time when that would be relatively low-impact -- during time off, a research block, or after finals, for example.

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[tammyp]

Switching my order is often enough for me to trick my brain into thinking its getting more caffiene. A few months a I'll drink an iced doppio espresso every day, then switch to regular drip coffee, then switch to iced coffee. Personally I know I drink coffee for placebo effect and temporary alertness. I like having consistency and my morning coffee "makes" me have a productive day. I mostly only drink one cup a day. If I'm at the point where I need an extra cup, I make sure I resolve what caused it whether its lack of food, lack of sleep or dehydration. The only "withdrawal" symptom i've experienced is maybe grouchiness.

 

[Oso]

I don't think I have the answer you are looking for, but...

If you need an extra cup, then you need an extra cup.

Pro-tip: go to places that offer 1 free refill and bring your own giant ass mug/thermos

Also, I don't really understand what you meant by "if caffeine is not consumed".

Coffee is happiness, why deny yourself happiness?

That will be $0.02 please.

 

[treatem-and-streetem]

I drink coffee because 1. It tastes good, 2. Makes my mornings much more pleasurable 3. It has a lot of benefits

 

[FlavivirusProtease]

I agree with most of the people above, I don't really think I get any actual benefits from drinking coffee anymore, I just have a morning cup and a noon cup because it's ritual now.

If you're getting tired with your current coffee intake, you could either try to up the dose a bit or taper off like homeskool said. Luckily, caffeine has a really short wash out time, and you can reset your tolerance in 2 weeks to 2 months.

There's always eating roasted coffee beans and caffeine pills. Research shows there isn't really much of a negative effect until you hit 400mg per day (5 cups of coffee).

You could also try something with guarana in it, that's generally more caffinated than a coffee (guarana has 5% caffeine by weight whereas coffee has 2% caffeine by weight)

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Also, I don't really understand what you meant by "if caffeine is not consumed".

Coffee is happiness, why deny yourself happiness?

That will be $0.02 please.

Some of us don't like being addicted to drugs. 😛

 

[FlavivirusProtease]

Some of us don't like being addicted to drugs. 😛

Don't knock it til you try it.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Don't knock it til you try it.

I have. It's disgusting.

 

[figeon]

Let's play, spot the Mormon.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Let's play, spot the Mormon.

I actually thought about that when I posted. I'm not Mormon, I just don't like coffee or caffeine withdrawal.

 

[FlavivirusProtease]

I actually thought about that when I posted. I'm not Mormon, I just don't like coffee or caffeine withdrawal.

It's not for everyone. The flavor really does grow on you after a while, although that might just be my body settling because it's decided it needs that sweet sweet caffeine.

 

[HomeSkool]

Let's play, spot the Mormon.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

It's not for everyone. The flavor really does grow on you after a while, although that might just be my body settling because it's decided it needs that sweet sweet caffeine.

Probably the latter lol. Seriously though, I know some people actually like the taste. I have had one cup of coffee that I liked, and that was a cup of Turkish coffee made by Bedouins in the Masada desert lol.

 

[boogiecousins94]

Probably the latter lol. Seriously though, I know some people actually like the taste. I have had one cup of coffee that I liked, and that was a cup of Turkish coffee made by Bedouins in the Masada desert lol.

I have no idea why but I actually love the taste of black coffee. I tried the Dunkin Girl Scout peanut butter cookie flavor the other day and it was actually the worst thing I've ever tasted in my life- I don't get how people like that at all it's like drinking a Yankee Candle or liquefied cake

 

[FlavivirusProtease]

I have no idea why but I actually love the taste of black coffee. I tried the Dunkin Girl Scout peanut butter cookie flavor the other day and it was actually the worst thing I've ever tasted in my life- I don't get how people like that at all it's like drinking a Yankee Candle or liquefied cake

I agree, I used to like drinking sugary coffees when I started out, but now they're much to sweet for me. At most I can do a vanilla latte, and even that's pushing it a bit. I think it's just natural that it starts growing on you.

 

[Oso]

Some of us don't like being addicted to drugs. 😛

😱

but drugs are cool 😎

I have no idea why but I actually love the taste of black coffee. I tried the Dunkin Girl Scout peanut butter cookie flavor the other day and it was actually the worst thing I've ever tasted in my life- I don't get how people like that at all it's like drinking a Yankee Candle or liquefied cake

I agree, I used to like drinking sugary coffees when I started out, but now they're much to sweet for me. At most I can do a vanilla latte, and even that's pushing it a bit. I think it's just natural that it starts growing on you.

Sitting down and enjoying a nice cup of black coffee in the morning is the perfect start to the day. I can do lattes and cappuccinos, but not the sugary drinks. Seeing the advertisements for Starbucks holiday drinks legit gives me anxiety.

... I forget what this thread was originally about 😳

 

[siliso]

Coffee (just coffee, not 599 cal sugar coffee milkshake) is good for you. It’s got antioxidants and ****. Also has some performance enhancing effects in moderation. Drink it if you like it, don’t if you don’t. Sometimes I enjoy decaf for the placebo effect if I need to be working in the evening when I’ll want to sleep soon.

 

[treatem-and-streetem]

I have found the solution to caffeine withdrawal...don’t stop drinking coffee

 

[FlavivirusProtease]

I have found the solution to caffeine withdrawal...don’t stop drinking coffee

Agreed. I very much plan on winning the arms race between caffeine and my body.

 

[siliso]

I’m a doctor, I believe in better living through chemistry. And it’s Merica, I don’t see signs of a looming coffee famine. But really, my coffee consumption has been basically stable for decades. Less when I can sleep in, more when I have to pull a 36 hour stretch. Doesn’t get me hyped and jittery when I have it and doesn’t cause crippling withdrawal if I don’t. It’s not as though you have to graduate to snorting Nescafé when your morning cup won’t do it for you anymore.

 

[21Rush12]

I adore coffee, I was a barista for 4 years (a real one, not some Starbucks nonsense) and for whatever reason in med school I have become completely intolerant of caffeine except for black tea. It’s truly a curse; all of you don’t know what you’re missing.

What I wouldn’t give to enjoy a real macchiato again.

 

[Dr. Scribe]

I drink tea instead of coffee- much less caffeine and accomplishes the same goal. Not to mention, tea is full of antioxidants.

 

[impendingdoom]

I drink coffee because I enjoy holding the warm mug and warming up my cold hands...especially when its been snowing for 3 days straight in APRIL

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

but drugs are cool 😎

Drugs are for fools! Stay in school!

 

[Dr. Scribe]

Drugs are for fools! Stay in school!

Ironically, we are in school to learn about how cool some drugs are

 

[mcloaf]

I’m a doctor, I believe in better living through chemistry. And it’s Merica, I don’t see signs of a looming coffee famine. But really, my coffee consumption has been basically stable for decades. Less when I can sleep in, more when I have to pull a 36 hour stretch. Doesn’t get me hyped and jittery when I have it and doesn’t cause crippling withdrawal if I don’t. It’s not as though you have to graduate to snorting Nescafé when your morning cup won’t do it for you anymore.

Coffee is how it starts. Now I can't even get out of bed without a shot of cold brew straight into my IJ. Last week I had to shank some guy in a starbucks parking lot to get a sip while I was fiending.

 

[TelemarketingEnigma]

I have no idea why but I actually love the taste of black coffee. I tried the Dunkin Girl Scout peanut butter cookie flavor the other day and it was actually the worst thing I've ever tasted in my life- I don't get how people like that at all it's like drinking a Yankee Candle or liquefied cake

controversial opinion: Dunkin is the worst coffee in general. Their drip coffee is bad (at least if you drink it black), and their fancier drinks are made poorly.

 

[FlavivirusProtease]

controversial opinion: Dunkin is the worst coffee in general. Their drip coffee is bad (at least if you drink it black), and their fancier drinks are made poorly.

You haven't had donut shop coffee until you've had Tims.

Edit: My current favorite is the black mud in our hospital break room. Sure it doesn't taste the best but it gets the job done.

 

[Dr. Scribe]

controversial opinion: Dunkin is the worst coffee in general. Their drip coffee is bad (at least if you drink it black), and their fancier drinks are made poorly.

Wawa coffee is cheap, STRONG, and delicious. But nothing beats green tea in the morning

 

[treatem-and-streetem]

Drugs are for fools! Stay in school!

Interestingly enough I used to work at a university health lab and many kids took an acceptable amount of adderall to help them focus in medical school...and I believe adderall is indeed a drug

 

[siliso]

Y’all got any more of them NO DOZ? I’ve been reduced to scrapping copper gutters that I stole off the church to get my fix before The Sickness sets in.

 

[boogiecousins94]

controversial opinion: Dunkin is the worst coffee in general. Their drip coffee is bad (at least if you drink it black), and their fancier drinks are made poorly.

I completely agree I like Starbucks dark roast better but I always get Dunkin dark roast as that's the only place close to my work. I also live in the Dunkin capital of the world tho they're everywhere

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Ironically, we are in school to learn about how cool some drugs are

You’re what’s wrong with Western Medicine, “Dr.” Scribe.

Spoiler

In case it’s not clear, I’m joking.

 

[FlavivirusProtease]

You’re what’s wrong with Western Medicine, “Dr.” Scribe.

Spoiler

In case it’s not clear, I’m joking.

That's why when I finish medical school I'm only going to prescribe my patients 6C diluted turmeric.

Edit: I see your spoiler and choose to ignore it.

 

[curbsideconsult]

There is no "better" or "worse" in this case that works for everyone across the board. This is not like smoking cigarettes. Smoking cigarettes is bad for everyone. Consuming coffee? Well, that depends on you. Personally, I leeeeeerrrrvvv coffee and not just for the physical wake-y up-y effects. I genuinely love the taste and the smell and the ritual like every other coffee drinker has said above. In fact, outside of the perking up, I actually don't like a lot of its effects on my body (except for the, eh-hem, regularity), but I love the taste and just can't give it up. Do I disparage others for not drinking coffee? No, I applaud them. Do I look down on excessive coffee drinking? Definitely not.

As for:

controversial opinion: Dunkin is the worst coffee in general. Their drip coffee is bad (at least if you drink it black), and their fancier drinks are made poorly.

I do agree, but I gotta say I love the smell of burnt Dunkin coffee in my hair after I walk out of a DD store. Anyone else? Is that just me?

 

[Oso]

Drugs are for fools! Stay in school!

20 years of school is enough for me... I’m leaving!

 

[dr_kateb]

Cocaine is better.

 

[deomnibusdubitandum]

I'm not much of a coffee drinker, but I'll drink the occasional scoop of pre-workout before going to school if I haven't slept as much as I needed to. Maybe occasional is an understatement. I have a problem lol.

 

[FlavivirusProtease]

I'm not much of a coffee drinker, but I'll drink the occasional scoop of pre-workout before going to school if I haven't slept as much as I needed to. Maybe occasional is an understatement. I have a problem lol.

Not a great idea if you don't already own pre-workout though, because if I remember correctly, pre-workout is expensive AF.

 

[deomnibusdubitandum]

Not a great idea if you don't already own pre-workout though, because if I remember correctly, pre-workout is expensive AF.

not too bad... I buy whichever pre-workout is on clearance at the time at a health food store and it comes out to be ~60 cents per scoop. Each scoop has 300 mg of caffeine so 1 scoop is plenty.

 

[KdotLB]

I used to love coffee in undergrad. 2-3 cups black a day. Then, it started giving me heartburn. Oddly enough, I now can tolerate caffeine pills fine (the part of coffee I always figured gave me reflux) but even a decaf coffee makes my gerd terrible, omeprazole be damned. Sucks bc I miss coffee.

Now I just rock 200-400mg of caffeine a day depending on my schedule. Probly should stop tho


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[Pagan FutureDoc]

 

[Oso]

Cocaine is better.

**** yeah

 

[calivianya]

Love me some coffee, but I'm super lazy and a huge procrastinator, so I don't always have time to make some or stop to get some when I'm going out the door. For those days, I like the Excelerol Focus Plus supplements - they have 100mg caffeine a pop plus a whole bunch of B vitamins/other "brain health" supplements. I found them pretty useful while I was getting my last round of school done.

 

[Neutropix]

Caffeine is for the weak.

 

[TxFiretoMed]

It sounds like you need to cycle your intake a bit.


I use caffeine in my pre-workout as well. It really does help you focus, lift more and get through the workout. It's a shame, because if it wasn't for that I probably could cut caffeine all together.

It will eventually stop working after repetitive use. What bodybuilders do is cut the caffeine for a week or two and it will start to work great again. They 'cycle' it. I hit withdrwals within 12-24 hours of cutting it. Even cutting caffeine for a few days will help.

I will typically take my pre-workout mid day and workout which helps me get back to studying. I will probably cycle caffeine in the future around the times when I am prepping for tests, MCAT, etc.

 

[naway]

I'm going to try and break my coffee addiction before I begin med school. I made it my entire way through undergrad without ever drinking a single cup of it, and it was perfectly fine. I don't actually remember where I picked up my current iced coffee addiction, but it causes me a lot of sleep and anxiety issues. Yet I still drink it. Somehow, my brain manages to convince me that it won't cause me the same problems every cup causes me THIS time around. Smh.

 

[mistafab]

It isn’t about the caffeine - I drink coffee because it tastes so dank.