Mental Health @lemmy.world trainsaresexy @lemmy.world 3mo ago

I drink lots of coffee and I like it

Drugs, alcohol, and now coffee! I've used a variety of substances to self medicate while in a depressed mood. A few years ago I cut out cannabis, and I stay away from using alcohol when I'm down, but I have no limits with coffee. It seems like I can drink as much as I want whenever I want and it doesn't create the same problems it does when my mood is better.

19 comments

Mind your sleep schedule, otherwise enjoy...
- It doesn't seem to affect me in the way it normally does. I can drink coffee at 6 and sleep at 1130.
  
  Paradoxical stimulant response and substance abuse disorder points to ADHD, often misdiagnosed in adults as anxiety and depression.
  
  I was misdiagnosed for 10 years with no effect from the meds for anxiety and depression. Stimulant meds work well for me. Not for everyone tho.
  
  The half-time of caffeine in our bodies is pretty long, like 6 hours IIRC. Might affect the quality of sleep even if you manage to fall asleep
People who drink lots of coffee often get stomach/intestine problems after many years. Cola also has long term side effects (from sugar or sweeteners). I therefore suggest you look into caffeinated water and/or guarana to mitigate any health problems by not overusing one source of caffeine.
- It's only when I'm deep in depression, the vast majority of the time I only drink 1-2 cups a day.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, American Heart Association, etc recommend a 400mg daily limit for caffiene. It may be affecting you in more ways than you know.
- Woopsie. Thanks for the heads up
- 400mg
  
  I'm still under that or about there. I had 3 french presses and a moka pot yesterday, that's a bit above 400mg but represents peak consumption.
  
  Also, I don't think I care. Better than the alternatives I have access to.
Recently I've found green tea to be amazing and without the jitteryness of coffee. There are many kinds to try, all quite different!
- Adding onto this, I didn't enjoy green tea until I started brewing it gong fu style with loose leaves. Teabags are acceptable for black tea but completely ruin green imo.
  
  It's also worth noting that there's a noticable flavor and taste difference between different types of green (for example, I dislike the popular dragonwell, but love maofeng/mountain green tips). There's also a gulf of difference between Chinese and Japanese green teas, due to the processing. Usually Chinese tea is pan/wok/hot air fried, leading to a more nutty and complex profile, whereas Japanese greens tend to be steamed, leading to a more vegetal taste.
  
  I also really like matcha, if you can afford the initial investment. It's definitely unique and can be an acquired taste. I really like the ippodo Sayaka/Horai, since it doesn't have a very strong umami taste, which can be off putting for people new to matcha.
  
  Edit: and yes, there is actual science backing up your interpretation of green tea being less jittery. The L-theanine, an amino acid unique to green tea and a few mushroom varieties, has a balancing effect when paired with caffeine.
Me too. I started smoking cannabis and drinking alcohol until I got sick with schizophrenia; it was then that I had to stop using cannabis. Now I occasionally drink beer; but above all, I consume a lot of caffeine, in my case in the form of energy drinks.
I used to do a whole pot of coffee a day. It was definitely a rush. At other times I'd drink like 2 litres of yerba mate every day. Would mix it with peppermint. I was a little out of control.
- Never had yerba matte but I have an Italian friend and he drinks it non stop.

19 comments