10 Signs You’re Probably Addicted To Coffee
Coffee addicts love their morning cup of coffee. To them, coffee is not just a warm beverage that you drink to start your day; it has become a lifestyle that carries connotations and is a staple part of day-to-day life. However, too much of a good thing can have consequences, and coffee is no exception. Here are a few signs to let you know if you’re addicted to that cup of Java.
1: Coffee Headaches
Ever get a throbbing pain in your head when you skip a morning cup of coffee? Coffee headaches is a sure sign that you are addicted to coffee and it is no walk in the park. The reason why coffee addicts have these headaches is that decreasing caffeine consumption actually changes the cerebral blood flow process.
2: Part Of Your Daily Routine
Every morning when you wake up, what is the first thing that you do? Put the kettle on to make your cup of coffee. Another sign that you’re probably addicted to coffee is the act of drinking a cup of coffee has become so embedded into your daily routine, that it’s a form of muscle memory.
3: Changes In Mood
Do you ever feel like you’re Oscar the Grouch without your coffee fix? Another sign you’re addicted to coffee is a change in mood. The reason why people experience these mood swings is that caffeine increases the brain’s production of dopamine, a ‘feel-good’ neurotransmitter that is well-known for its pleasure-enhancing functionalities. Take away the caffeine, and you become more angry or irritable.
4: Can’t Concentrate Without Coffee
Coffee addicts can also suffer from a foggy brain, when it becomes too hard to concentrate without your coffee fix. The reason for this is because like dopamine, caffeine stimulates the production of adrenaline in the adrenal glands. However, this leads to the adrenal glands being overworked, which can lead to adrenal fatigue.
5: Immunity
Another sign you’re addicted to coffee is that over time, you increasingly become immune to the effects of coffee. This can lead to an increase in caffeine consumption in order to get that buzz, but unfortunately it won’t work on you.
6: Am I Coming Down With The Flu?
No, you’re not sick, but coffee addicts can experience flu-like symptoms after not having coffee for a couple of days. So, if you’re feeling nauseous, have muscle aches or you have the urge to vomit, check to see if you haven’t had your coffee fix before making an appointment to see the doctor.
7: Constipation
Drinking coffee can have its advantages, with coffee addicts maintaining a stable bowel movement due to its stimulating properties. However, too much coffee or skipping out on that caffeine hit can also cause dehydration, which can then lead you to having constipation.
8: I Can Feel Your Heartbeat
Another sign that you are addicted to coffee is if you experience an increase in your heart rate. As mentioned before, coffee stimulates the production of adrenaline. This stimulated production can lead to an increase in blood pressure, with coffee addicts experiencing a mildly elevated heart rate.
9: Muscle Cramping
Coffee addicts can also experience muscle cramping and stiffness in the shoulders and neck if they haven’t had coffee for a few days. This is because, as a stimulant, caffeine is able to relax the muscles in your body. Without the stimulant, you will start to feel as if you have weights tied to your body.
10: Anxiety
If you’re addicted to coffee and you’re an anxious person or suffer from an anxiety disorder, it might be time to cut back from the coffee. Due to caffeine increasing production of adrenaline, coffee can actually cause you to feel anxious or jittery, or if you have an anxiety disorder, can lead you to having a panic attack.
