Is coffee addictive?

Coffee lovers often ask this question. Yes, caffeine in coffee is an addictive substance. However, there are different opinions on how addictive coffee is and whether caffeine dependence should be classified as addiction or dependence, as the way it works is very different from drug or other addictions.  

How does caffeine addiction work? 

Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant which enhances metabolism, improves mood and concentration. It also enhances dopamine signalling in the brain. Coffee drinkers after a while require higher caffeine doses to get the same level of stimulation and an addiction can develop very quickly.

Caffeine is one of few psychoactive substances which are socially accepted, even when overused or overdosed. 

How addictive is caffeine? 

When talking about coffee addiction, we need to consider physical and behavioural addiction. And they are very different. 

Physical addiction to caffeine

The physical addiction to caffeine is not very strong. When the brain gets high doses of caffeine daily, it has to deal with the caffeine by producing adenosine. Adenosine makes us feel tired and sleepy, so we can relax. When your brain gets a lot of caffeine, it produces more and more adenosine, that’s why heavy coffee drinkers may feel tired all the time. 

Behavioural addiction to coffee

The behavioural addiction to drinking coffee can be very strong. It is related to the tactile and sensory experience of touching and holding a cup, the smell and taste, which all give positive emotions. Drinking coffee is also a social act, that’s why it may be very difficult to change this habit. 

Caffeine addiction symptoms

How do you know if you are addicted to coffee?

Coffee addiction or dependence sympoms may include lowered mood, headaches or irritability on a day without coffee.

How to end coffee addiction or reduce drinking coffee?

If you want to stop or reduce drinking coffee, it’s better to do it gradually. You can do it by reducing your coffee intake by 1 cup each time (every few days) and have it only when you need it the most. 

If you cut off coffee completely, you will feel very tired for a period of 2 to 9 days. This is because your system is still producing adenosine, which makes you feel tired. You can also experience headaches during the first days – this is a common symptom when cutting off coffee immediately. 

Caffeine withdrawal symptoms

Caffeine withdrawal cannot cause any harm to your body, but you may experience some unpleasant symptoms such as:

• Headache
• Tiredness
• Lowered mood
• Anxiety
• Difficulty concentrating 

Can you overdose coffee?

How much caffeine would it take to overdose and become lethal?

Lethal overdose of coffee virtually doesn’t exist. A lethal dose of caffeine would require about 100 cups of coffee. That is an amount of liquid which you are simply unable to drink quickly enough. You will also start feeling unwell after drinking too much coffee and won’t take anymore. 

Which is more addictive: tea or coffee?

Coffee contains more caffeine than tea, so it’s more addictive.  

Finl note

Coffee, like anything else, is best in moderation. I hope you found this article helpful and found answers to your questions about caffeine addiction. If you have more, post your questions in the comments.