I think this is really understated. After developing a facial twitch and realizing I was consuming more than 1000 mg of caffeine a day, I switched to decaf once the particular project was over. No one told me it's physically addictive and has withdrawal symptoms! It's the only thing that would keep me functional and able to drive on with a project though.
Why do you go from extremely high intake to decaf, or do you mean to not go back to using caffeine for your next project? For me a 200mg tablet in the morning works well, more doesn't give me more benefits and by bedtime a lot or most has gone.
I had no idea there was withdrawal, and I have no psychological addiction to it, so I just switched to decaf not thinking anything of it, other than that I'd probably be more tired for a while.
> It's the only thing that would keep me functional and able to drive on with a project though.
Don't you think that part of this could be stress? Also potentially dehydration. I have had eye twitches a couple times during long road trips where I drank Red Bull or Monster to keep focused, and was not drinking enough water. But I have never had twitching from caffeine under normal circumstances, since I usually drink 2 parts water for every part caffeinated drink (lots of bathroom breaks).
My wife and I switched to decaf about 6 months ago and we are pretty happy with it. Generally sleeping better and I can have 2-3 cups throughout my morning without going off the rails.
Oh I can drink a quart or two of regular coffee and still sleep like a rock, not get the jitters, etc. Pretty much my mom's entire side of the family is like that. Switching to decaf got rid of the facial twitch, but even after two months (in between projects) I was basically completely ineffective at even personal projects. I told the doctor about it and it's apparently likely I have adult ADHD.
For what it's worth, I've found that muscular twitches are always a symptom of magnesium deficiency, which caffeine does exacerbate.
Since I adore coffee and don't intend to stop drinking it, I supplement with magnesium drops in the water I drink large amounts of all day. This has completely prevented tics and twitches, and greatly reduces jaw tension as well.
Yeah I used to just drink coffee or energy drinks all day. Now I'm sticking to one in the morning and a less caffeinated drink in the afternoon and my days are going a lot better.
