There are companies that claim to have complete detox supplements for sale. In our experience, most such supplements have insufficient amounts of the sparse supplements that do contain. The reality is, high quality supplements are expensive. If you find an amazing deal on a complete supplement you can rest assured that the producer cut corners somewhere. We do not produce our own detox supplement and have nothing to gain by trying to sell you something. This is the complete guide to detoxing from caffeine as fast as possible and with minimal side effects. There is nothing held back, and no secrets. Because we suggest a large number of supplements, you can simply choose what you can afford and/or what is applicable to your individual withdrawal symptoms. Just be aware that unless you use all of the following supplements, your results will be inferior and you will experience more severe withdrawal symptoms.
Who should detox from caffeine?There could be any number of reasons that you may want to detox from caffeine. The first time I decided that I needed to make a change was when I was drinking 3-4 energy drinks a day, and feeling no increase in energy from them.
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If you've ever looked at the daily recommended intakes for vitamins and minerals, you probably became super overwhelmed at all the food you'd have to consume to get in the recommended amounts every single day! While getting everything your body needs from your diet is the best case scenario (and probably possible in a perfect world), it is not realistic for most people. In our day of depleted soils, fast food, etc. our bodies seldom get everything they need from the food we consume. Add in common stressors such as poor sleep, taxing work situations, and caffeine consumption (which both raises stress and causes deficiencies), and you have a recipe for low energy, a tired immune system, and decreased mental ability. Luckily, it is possible to get everything you need through nutrient supplementation! Gone are the days of putting unproven and downright scary pills into your body without knowing what is in them. It is now possible to get supplements that are vegan, non-GMO, 3rd party tested, kosher, etc. So if you've put your body into a deficient state through stress or caffeine consumption, here is the 3 pronged approach that will get your body systems back into tip top shape! For our purposes here, proper supplementation will:
1. Treat Deficiencies
Caffeine can cause deficiencies of over a dozen vitamins and minerals. If you don't have a method to replenish these quickly after removing caffeine from your life, you will find yourself with lower energy as your body struggles to find what it needs through your diet. Most of the symptoms we experience during withdrawal are actually symptoms of having nutrient deficiencies, not just a lack of caffeine! So it follows that the sooner you can replenish your body's supplies, the sooner you can leave the withdrawals behind. |
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PHYSICAL VS. MENTAL DEPENDENCEA large part of my craving for caffeine has always been mental. I feel like my mind is not as clear, I don't have as much energy, etc. Because I've always associated caffeine with having extra energy and a mental edge, I crave it when I'm detoxing because I don't want to miss out on what it gives. Physical dependence will be handled by your body as it adjusts to life without caffeine, but you will often need to find something to fill the "void" left behind. For example, if you are used to starting your day with a cup of coffee and expect to have zero energy until you have your warm comforting brew, you had better find yourself a replacement before your brain betrays you and demands its mug of steamy goodness! |
Luckily for us, the majority of deficiencies caused by caffeine are very easy to rectify. Once caffeine is no longer in your system, simply providing the body with everything it needs will allow it to quickly do its job and get back up to speed.
If you choose not to detox (or don't supplement correctly when you do) you will suffer with lower energy, a compromised immune system, and many other negative effects. If you reference to the chart to the right you can see that caffeine overuse causes deficiencies in at least 7 major vitamins and minerals including Magnesium, B-Vitamins, Iron, Vitamin C, Calcium, Potassium, and Tyrosine. Since very few of us are able to meet all of our daily needs through diet alone, it is important to find high quality supplements to bridge the gap. Contrary to popular belief, you do not need and expensive or overly complex system to detox. It is quite possible to detox with no supplements at all, so it is most cost effective so simply choose supplements that will address the detox symptoms which affect you the most. It is worth noting that not everyone will experience every symptom so there is no need to go overboard. The majority of these can be replenished with a quality multi-vitamin (keep reading to see the one we use and suggest). |
The symptoms that appear when you detox are due to deficiencies in your body. The sooner you take care of your deficiencies the sooner your withdrawal symptoms will retreat. Since not everyone will have all of the symptoms, choose supplements most applicable to your case.
The problem is, how can you know what symptoms you'll have before you actually start detoxing?! I would recommend you try going without caffeine for a Saturday a see what symptoms manifest. If you don't have any symptoms (some people don't) you might be able to detox supplement free! Personally, I get lethargic, develop a headache, get moody, and develop some flu like symptoms. On that basis, I could easily consult the chart and get the most applicable supplements. I could then have them on hand when I start my detox for real the next week. |
Phenylalanine vs. tyrosineThere is some debate (unnecessary in my opinion) about whether Tyrosine or Phenylalanine is more effective at overcoming caffeine addiction. They do each have differing benefits, but the reality is you probably won't notice much difference as long as you use one of the two. Advantage of Tyrosine: Because Tyrosine is one step closer to Dopamine, people feel that it works faster and has more of a stimulating effect. Advantage of Phenyalanine: Since it is the beginning of the conversion chain, Phenylalanine will fix a Tyrosine deficiency. Tyrosine will not, however, directly fix a Phenylalanine deficiency. |
The best choice in DLPA
If we could take only one supplement for caffeine recovery, it would be this one. Free Form DL-Phenylalanine from SOLGAR. With it, we start feeling better within a day or two. Without it...I'm not sure if I'd be recovered even now... |
Our favorite GABASolgar's GABA has everything we wanted in a supplement. Pure product, excellent absorption, no gastric distress, vegetarian capsules, and it all comes at a great price! I noticed excellent quality sleep and feel this was highly instrumental in my detox. |
Complete Methylated
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Get that mental edgeThis is one of the supplements that I always keep in the cabinet and take even when not detoxing. If I need a mental edge without a jittery stimulant boost, this is the bottle I reach for time and time again. |
GinsengIn discussions on caffeine alternaties, Ginseng is one of the most commonly recommended options. It is considered an adaptogen and is widely used in Chinese medicine, where it is purported to enhance cognitive function, increase concentration and memory, balance hormones, help users cope with stress, and improve all-around well-being.
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Rhodiola roseaRhodiola Rosea is a unique supplement on this list as it is one of the few not meant to keep you on the go all the time. Instead, it is simply one of the best natural stress relievers, which will help you feel better, alleviate depression, and help you cope with stress. It does have concentration and focus boosting effects as well, but I do not find it particularly stimulating. It has always had a (most welcome) calming and clearing effect on my mind.
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MagnesiumMagnesium plays a vital role in many functions of the body (more than 300, actually). It supports memory and learning, helps to reduce stress and lower anxiety responses, improves sleep quality, and more!
It also has the added benefit of keeping you "regular." Without caffeine to stimulate the bowels, many people find themselves having bathroom troubles when detoxing. If this is you, consider adding in a daily dose of Magnesium Citrate. |
CalciumCalcium is the most prevalent mineral in your body - meaning you need a lot of it. It is necessary for bone health, immune system function, and neuromuscular health. Be sure, however, to find a supplement with vitamin D3 in it as well - as it is necessary for Calcium absorption and you are wasting your time without it.
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Licorice RootLicorice Root is an adaptogen that is most often used in improving mood, but has also been found helpful in treating clinical depression, adrenal fatigue, and leaky gut. I personally use it just for the long term mood boosting effects - and while I can't say I'm constantly smiling, I do find it helpful. It has also been beneficial for my headaches during caffeine withdrawal.
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CreatineIf you rewound time 5 years, you'd have to look on bodybuilding sites to find much information on creatine. These days, however, it has been proven to be relatively safe - and not just for meatheads. It can increase your energy stores (even in your brain), boost your mental clarity, and even fight signs of aging. If you avoid meat products, you are likely to notice a huge energy and mental clarity boost while taking creatine as red meat is the most common source.
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ZMAZMA is helpful is improving sleep quality and regulating hormone production in both men and women. But sure to take it without calcium (including dairy) as zinc and calcium fight for absorption. And be ready for some very strange dreams...
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Milk ThistleIf I would have remembered sooner, Milk Thistle would be higher on this list. Milk thistle is one of the most effective herbs/supplements at detoxifying the liver and rooting our the vestiges of caffeine that hang out there. Just don't integrate milk thistle until the 3rd or 4th day without caffeine, or you might find yourself with a nasty headache as you scrub the toxins from your body.
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