How long do caffeine withdrawal headaches last? (2024)

Quitting caffeine can cause headaches. Caffeine withdrawal headaches can start within 12 hours of stopping caffeine and are likely to be at their worst 20-51 hours after your last caffeine fix. They can last up to 9 days.

Caffeine is a natural stimulant found commonly in coffee, tea, chocolate, some sodas and energy drinks. The consumption of caffeine can have a negative impact on your overall health and mental wellbeing, which is why it can be beneficial to cut down or quit.

Trying to break the habit of consuming too much caffeine can bring on a number of unpleasant withdrawal symptoms including headaches, fatigue, irritability, depressed mood and more.

What is a caffeine withdrawal headache?

Headaches are the most common and dominant symptom of caffeine withdrawal, occurring in about 50% of people trying to quit caffeine.

See Also
Caffeine

When caffeine is consumed it is absorbed into the bloodstream and crosses the blood-brain barrier where it blocks the adenosine receptors and prevents drowsiness..

Caffeine consumption also affects the blood vessels and the rate of blood flow in the brain. Consuming caffeine can significantly decrease the rate of blood flow in certain blood vessels in the brain within half an hour, with flow rates returning to normal after about two hours.

Withdrawing caffeine can cause blood flow rates to temporarily increase in certain blood vessels in the brain and this is thought to contribute to the development of headaches when trying to quit caffeine.

Related Questions

Where is a caffeine withdrawal headache located?

A caffeine withdrawal headache can present as a feeling of pain and pressure that pushes outwards from the brain. Starting behind the eyes, it can move up to the front of the head. Caffeine withdrawal headaches can also present with migraine-like symptoms and as a widespread feeling of throbbing pain.

How can I treat a caffeine withdrawal headache?

  • Gradually reduce your consumption of caffeine instead of stopping suddenly. This can help to reduce the severity of your withdrawal symptoms, although it may take longer for them to go away completely completely. Reduce how much caffeine you have each day over two to three weeks or longer if needed. Put a plan in place to help you stay on track.
  • Headaches can be treated with over the counter medications, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil) and aspirin. Remember to avoid medications that contain caffeine.
  • Rest and get plenty of sleep.
  • Drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated.
How long do caffeine withdrawal headaches last? (2024)

FAQs

How long do caffeine withdrawal headaches last? ›

Official answer. Quitting caffeine can cause headaches. Caffeine withdrawal headaches can start within 12 hours of stopping caffeine and are likely to be at their worst 20-51 hours after your last caffeine fix. They can last up to 9 days.

How long does it take to get rid of a caffeine withdrawal headache? ›

Official answer. Quitting caffeine can cause headaches. Caffeine withdrawal headaches can start within 12 hours of stopping caffeine and are likely to be at their worst 20-51 hours after your last caffeine fix. They can last up to 9 days.

How long after quitting caffeine to feel normal? ›

If caffeine is a big part of your daily diet, taking it away can have a host of unpleasant effects in the short term. These include headache, tiredness, sleepiness, down moods, trouble concentrating, and crankiness. You'll start to feel symptoms a day or two after you stop. They can last anywhere from 2 to 9 days.

How to beat caffeine withdrawal? ›

These actions can help:
  1. Reduce your intake slowly. ...
  2. Stay hydrated. ...
  3. Bump up your energy level in other ways. ...
  4. Practice stress-reduction techniques. ...
  5. Get adequate sleep. ...
  6. Take pain relievers as directed. ...
  7. Patience is crucial when quitting caffeine.
Feb 14, 2024

Does ibuprofen help with caffeine withdrawal? ›

There are no specific supplements for symptoms of caffeine withdrawal, but you might find using OTC pain relievers like ibuprofen helpful for headache pain. If you want a more natural approach, simply drinking enough water can often get rid of a caffeine headache and may even help prevent one.

Is it okay to quit caffeine cold turkey? ›

The key is to cut down slowly on the amount of caffeine in your diet. Don't make the mistake of stopping totally abruptly. By doing so, you'll likely experience withdrawal symptoms like headache, nausea, tiredness, muscle pain, irritability and difficulty concentrating.

Why do caffeine headaches hurt so bad? ›

Caffeine can trigger a headache.

And because caffeine narrows the blood vessels that surround the brain, when consumption is stopped, the blood vessels enlarge. This causes an increase in blood flow around the brain and pressures surrounding nerves. This can then trigger what is known as a caffeine withdrawal headache.

What is the longest caffeine withdrawal can last? ›

Typically, the onset of symptoms starts 12 to 24 hours after caffeine cessation, peaks at 20–51 hours, and may last up to two to nine days.

Is quitting caffeine worth it? ›

You Could Feel More Relaxed. Nixing caffeine means no more morning or late-night jitters, and that could be good for your stress levels. All that irritability and restlessness you may experience during the workday could dissipate or lessen simply by cutting out coffee or soda.

How long does it take to fully reset from caffeine? ›

Some general guidelines: Slowly tapering caffeine intake can take 2 weeks to several months (in extreme cases) to reset your caffeine tolerance. Quitting cold turkey is faster. It may reset your caffeine tolerance in about a week to 2 weeks (although withdrawals may make that time pretty miserable).

What foods help caffeine withdrawal? ›

  • Kick The Coffee Addiction With These Energy Filled Foods. Don't get us wrong, we're not ones to hate on a great Cup of Joe, but depending on coffee to get you through the day is no way to maintain a reliable energy level. ...
  • Water. Your fatigue may just be from dehydration. ...
  • Chia Seeds. ...
  • Bananas. ...
  • Green Tea. ...
  • Almonds. ...
  • Oatmeal.

How has quitting caffeine changed my life? ›

I no longer feel the racing heart feeling I used to get and my anxiety has calmed down overall. I get less energy crashes - I used to feel wired from coffee in the morning, and then experience slumps midday. Now my energy levels are controlled solely by the amount of sleep I get, my food intake, and exercise.

What can I do instead of caffeine withdrawal? ›

A sudden cessation of caffeine consumption can lead to withdrawal. Some symptoms of caffeine withdrawal include headaches, drowsiness, depression, etc. Luckily, there are also some alternatives to consuming caffeine. Some examples are chicory root coffee and maca powder.

How to get caffeine out of your system asap? ›

Physical Activity. Drinking caffeine increases adrenaline in the body, and performing a physical activity is the only way to burn it off. Exercise and movement will help use the excess energy caffeine provide and helps to break it down quicker. Coffee and exercising both increase blood pressure temporarily.

What supplements reduce caffeine withdrawal? ›

While there isn't much scientific evidence that supplements are helpful with caffeine withdrawal, here are some that are anecdotally reported to be helpful: vitamin C and B complex. minerals calcium, magnesium, potassium, and zinc.

Does vitamin C help caffeine withdrawal? ›

High dosages of vitamin C have been medically proven to help those going through opiate withdrawal by reducing withdrawal symptoms and enhancing endorphin levels. It is thought to also assist those going through caffeine withdrawal. In the research study , the dosage was 300 mg per kg of body weight.

How long until caffeine is completely out of your system? ›

You notice the effects of caffeine within 15 minutes. The levels in your bloodstream peak an hour later and remain there for several hours. About 6 hours after you consume caffeine, half of it is still in your body. Caffeine may not completely clear your bloodstream until after 10 hours.

How long does it take to reset caffeine tolerance? ›

Some general guidelines: Slowly tapering caffeine intake can take 2 weeks to several months (in extreme cases) to reset your caffeine tolerance. Quitting cold turkey is faster. It may reset your caffeine tolerance in about a week to 2 weeks (although withdrawals may make that time pretty miserable).

How long does caffeine anxiety last? ›

Symptoms are likely to begin around 12 to 24 hours after you last ingested caffeine, and they can last between two and nine days. Make sure you don't take painkillers containing caffeine (a common addition) to help with symptoms as this will maintain your dependency. Keep hydrated.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Virgilio Hermann JD

Last Updated:

Views: 6446

Rating: 4 / 5 (41 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Virgilio Hermann JD

Birthday: 1997-12-21

Address: 6946 Schoen Cove, Sipesshire, MO 55944

Phone: +3763365785260

Job: Accounting Engineer

Hobby: Web surfing, Rafting, Dowsing, Stand-up comedy, Ghost hunting, Swimming, Amateur radio

Introduction: My name is Virgilio Hermann JD, I am a fine, gifted, beautiful, encouraging, kind, talented, zealous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.