Ever try to stop drinking your daily coffee for a few days and get that intolerable headache? Do you know why that happens? There are many factors at play there, including the downregulation of dopamine and some constricted blood vessels. Let’s take a look at the science so you can better understand what’s going on, and remedy it with superfoods and supplements, if you so choose.
For millions of people, starting the day without coffee is unthinkable. But skipping that daily caffeine fix can result in an all-too-familiar pounding headache. Neurologists describe caffeine withdrawal headaches as “migraine-like” in intensity — pulsing, throbbing, and sometimes debilitating. Despite how common they are, the exact reason these headaches hurt so much is still not fully understood. What experts do know points to a combination of vascular changes, brain chemistry, and receptor activity.
Caffeine withdrawal headaches typically strike within 24 hours of stopping regular intake (200+ mg/day for 2+ weeks) and can feel like intense, migraine-type pain due to blood vessel dilation and sudden changes in brain signaling.
The pain is partly explained by caffeine’s role in constricting blood vessels and blocking adenosine; when caffeine is removed, vessels swell and adenosine builds up, both of which trigger headaches.
Caffeine is paradoxical: While its absence causes withdrawal headaches, its presence can relieve them and even boost the effectiveness of common painkillers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
To reduce headaches, experts recommend tapering gradually (25–50 mg less per day) or substituting lower-caffeine drinks like tea, since quitting suddenly often leads to more severe symptoms....<<<Read More>>>...
