When caffeine is consumed regularly, your body builds a dependence on it. When you don’t get your caffeine the pressure around the nerves in your head and cause headaches.
The best ways to relieve the caffeine headaches are to take an over-the-counter pain reliever, apply peppermint oil to ease tension, apply an ice pack, or get some sleep.
To prevent caffeine headaches, the most effective methods are to stay hydrated and to slowly cut down on caffeine.
Keep reading to find out how to use these methods effectively to stop these symptoms dead in their tracks.
Why Do I get Caffeine Headaches?
Caffeine is a stimulant that stops the effects of the chemicals in your brain that would otherwise make you feel tired or sleepy.
The result is that you feel more alert and awake, a feeling which is often described as a “buzz”.
Some people face a common problem that arises in the form of a caffeine headache when they stop drinking caffeinated beverages or don’t drink their usual amount of caffeine.
If this is you, then you are suffering from Caffeine Withdrawal.
How Do I Stop Caffeine Headaches?
Caffeine headaches cause pain from behind the eyes and the front of the head, acting similar to a tension headache.
Thankfully some of the remedies that would be used for a tension-induced headache are also helpful against a caffeine-induced one.
Non-Perscription Pain Relievers
An over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin can grant relief. Which medication to use is dependent on your physical requirements and preferences. Normal dosing of the pain reliever of your choice is often more than enough to quell a caffeine headache.
However, if your headache persists it may be due to another underlying cause, in which case it is best to see a medical professional for a proper diagnosis and treatment.
Peppermint Oil
Another promising solution is to use peppermint oil topically (on your skin). A study conducted by German scientists found that applying peppermint oil can be effective in relieving tension headaches. As a caffeine headache acts similar to a tension headache, it can be deduced that peppermint oil can help ease them.
The peppermint oil does not need to be diluted, so you can apply 2-3 drops of peppermint oil to the temples or forehead. The menthol in the oil will help reduce inflammation and relax the muscles that can contribute to the pain from a headache.
Cold Compresses and Sleeping
Other solutions include placing an ice pack on the affected area. The cold compress method is inexpensive and easy to do. An ice neck wrap can be put around the neck, which will cool the blood that flows into the brain to reduce inflammation. A similar approach with an ice pack by putting it on at the base of your skull or on your forehead.
To protect your skin, wrap the cold compress in a clean, thin towel and apply to the recommended area(s) for 15 – 20 minutes. You should first feel cold, then a burning sensation, aching, and finally numbness.
When the area goes numb remove for 15 – 20 minutes and repeat this process until the pain subsides.
What Causes Caffeine Headaches?
Drinking coffee or other caffeinated drinks causes the blood vessels that are inside your brain to tighten and become narrower.
When the caffeine wears off, your vessels widen and blood rushes around your brain and nerves causing a headache.
There can be several causes of caffeine headaches, the two less common ones are an allergy or sensitivity. But normally a caffeine-induced headache comes from caffeine withdrawal.
What Is Caffeine Withdrawal?
This happens when your body becomes dependent on the effects of caffeine but doesn’t get any or enough caffeine when it wants. The effects of a withdrawal are due to the fact the caffeine molecules fit inside the adenosine receptors in your brain.
Adenosine is the chemical in your brain that tells your body that it is time to rest. By blocking its place, the excess adenosine causes the adrenal glands located on your kidneys to release adrenaline. This is what gives the feeling of alertness.
However, since there is leftover adenosine, your brain will begin to make more adenosine receptors to fulfill the need. In turn, this causes you to need more caffeine to compensate, creating a tolerance.
If the adenosine is still can’t be used it will begin building up in your brain. When you don’t get enough caffeine your brain is flooded by adenosine.
Then both adrenaline, as well as the brain’s “feel-good” chemical dopamine, will drop and cause a chemical imbalance which leads to the effects of a “caffeine crash”.
A caffeine crash is characterized by headaches, dozing off, tiredness, difficulty focusing, and/or becoming irritable.
How Do I Avoid a Caffeine Withdrawal?
The best cure for an ailment is prevention. Caffeinated drinks like coffee are diuretic, meaning it causes you to lose water as urine. As you lose water your brain may shrink and this can contribute to your headaches.
- Increasing your water consumption as you drink your coffee can help prevent withdrawal symptoms.
- Don’t stop drinking coffee! Drink more.
A long-term method (and a not so popular one) is to reduce your caffeine consumption gradually – Boo! Start reducing the amount of coffee a day a little at a time. You can also switch to drinking a decaf in place of a regular coffee – Double Boo!
The key to less caffeine headaches is almost always responsible caffeine consumption.
