We NEED To Talk About Caffeine 

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Being un-caffeinated in a caffeinated world is wild. For the first time in my life, I’m sober, and much more tuned in to my body and mind. I miss coffee, but I feel I’ve been able to address sleep issues more effectively without it. Coffee, sugar, alcohol, and the Internet/social media - we are addicted en masse. I believe a detox from these things benefits the body, mind, and spirit 💪

Watching this as I sip on my coffee …

I went caffeine free (after realising that I was addicted). Here is what you need to know: 1) you do not NEED caffeine, 2) if you go cold turkey and you have a bad habit, you may experience a feeling like the flu. You will feel positively ill. The most gruelling experiece is the first two days, so quit on a Friday and you not have to miss work. 3) In two weeks you will be 100% better and healthier for it.

The book "Caffeine Blues" is a real eye opener. I quit because of sleep issues. It takes awhile to turn that around especially because that is ultimately connected to adrenaline overload and things other than caffeine cause that, but it definitely helps! Excess adrenaline and cortisol from caffeine, sugar and stress are the big issues for all health problems. Quitting caffeine, sugar and other foods that over stimulate the adrenals and blood sugar spikes, which also stimulate adrenaline release, is so important along with addressing unresolved emotional trauma, learning to regulate our emotional responses, etc. Also eating soluble fiber super important for helping excess hormones come out of our GI tract-soluble fiber is the only thing that binds the hormones that the liver secretes for disposal. If we aren't eating soluble fiber at regular intervals throughout the day, every day, those hormones will be recycled and are still physiologically active, which causes overload. The best sources of soluble fiber are legumes-beans, peas, lentils-and psyllium husk. Thanks for sharing this topic, really under acknowledged, especially in the U.S.! Blessings!

I've quit caffeine a few times, for about three months each time, and in my experience, you'll run into two walls when trying to quit long term. The first is the initial inertia. Coming off of something that you depend on daily is hard, and it does suck for most people. You can wean yourself off slowly, but I have found that when I try to do that, I change my mind before I've been able to wean off entirely. After a couple weeks off of caffeine, I often feel so good, I almost feel a natural high. My mood is much more steady. I am able be more intentional and steady. At this stage, I'm often tempted to wonder how or why I ever choose to consume caffeine. I feel so much better without it, and life looks like it's going to be this steady, wonderful journey from here on out. Until. The second wall usually comes anywhere from one to three months in. The initial good feelings of being off of caffeine have either waned, or I've just gotten used to them so that things just feel normal. Coffee starts smelling good to me again. I start thinking more and more about starting up the habit again. Because this stage can last for quite a while, I've never progressed past it. I've heard anecdotally that these resurgent cravings will go away after some time - around six months or so. But the road to six months feels so long. Anyway, if anyone has noticed these same (or similar) walls, and you've been able to endure them and stay off the caffeine, I would love to hear any tips you have on how to do it.

Great video. Yes please make more in this format. The biggest piece of my caffeine journey was making sure it didn't mess with my sleep. I now stop by 10am. I used to take pride that I could drink caffeine before bed but the joke was on me.

I've been on and off attempting to quit caffeine for a long time now, and I have to say, being full caffeine free now I have way more energy, sleep better, have better focus, almost no anxiety, no crash etc. The benefits are endless for me, and the only reason I ever relapse is because I am an absolute fiend for stimulants and miss that euphoria sometimes lol. But always end up regretting it!

I was in a stressful work situation about 10 years ago and my heart literally told me to quit coffee so I could cope. I stopped for almost a year. It was a wondrous thing - all that extra time and less stuff to deal with. Less stressful job and I started again. Been off alcohol for almost a year now, planning to quit coffee again too. Thanks for your video 👍🏼

Great video. Thanks for putting in the work to share it. I appreciate all the angles. When I was a carpenter for 30 years, my daily activity was like a work out, I drank a large coffee every morning and I believe it helped me perform at my best both physically and mentally from 7am until lunch. But afternoons were a bit rough, I needed that second cup after lunch but it did not pack the same punch as the morning one. I usually worked until 6 or 7 and by then I was exhausted. I only got 4-6 hours of sleep, which might explain why I could never gain muscle, just fatigue.

I am 70 years old; I train in two forms of Martial Arts - BJJ and Eskrima. I love you guys. I stopped using pre-workout, and have a strong coffee before training instead. I find cannabis really helps me in my training. I love to see you upload a video on Cannabis and training. I love your refreshing approach; Great stuff. Thank you.

I appreciate the thorough and balanced video! I've been caffeine free (aside from some occasional chocolate) for almost 2 years and I feel so much better than when I was using it daily. I feel less tired when I wake up, and as a result wake up earlier on a more consistent basis. I also feel less anxiety and stress. My feeling of gut health has improved. Additionally, I believe I feel more empathetic, which is a connection I made as a result of what you shared in this video.

Love this video. I've read some of Michael Pollan's work on caffeine, and I find the subject pretty fascinating. I enjoy a longer form video and this was a great reminder to take a closer look at some of my unconscious patterns, ie. caffeine use! I haven't done a break from caffeine in a long time and you've made me curious to explore further in that direction. I've been inspired by the work that you and your brother have been doing many times in the last couple of years, and I look forward to more videos in this format! Thanks again for sharing this!

A few years ago I made a change to reduce my caffeine intake to only one cup of coffee upon waking up after a glass of water while I stretch. It’s been the best move I’ve made to my workout routine. I’ve noticed a hide improvement to how well my body maintains muscle mass.

Loved this video so much. Thank you for always providing such valuable knowledge and content to the many people that really appreciate your content. Your videos teach me so much while also being so fun to watch. As several comments have said, you provide something special that can’t be found elsewhere!!!

so good bro. thank you for diving deep and being honest. love it.

I definitely would enjoy seeing more videos like this. It’s informative and easy to understand

Love the authenticity of you guys, keep this good content coming 🤟

Found this channel while looking to improve my flexibility but I definitely enjoy this type of content too. Keep em coming!

Thank you for the work and time you have put into this informative and balanced piece.

Great video and, I think, a generally balanced take. The main issue I have is how you use the term “addiction”. I have been caffeine free for 2 years now after decades of immoderate caffeine consumption. Even titrating down under a doctor’s care for months, I still had nasty withdrawal symptoms - headaches, vomiting, DTs. I am an addict who was unable to moderate my intake. In my view, most people are “caffeine reliant” but not clinically addicted. If you’re able to take a break and moderate your intake, I’d argue it’s not addiction. And that’s a very good thing. Nomenclature aside, the content seems really appropriate and on point for the average caffeine user. I especially appreciate you talking about the dangers of starting kids on caffeine. I had my first cup of coffee at 5. The mental and physical dangers are magnified for developing kids.

I just came across your guy's channel and I thoroughly enjoyed this video. As well as some others. I appreciate the time and research that went into this. I watched an anatomy video earlier this morning (while having coffee)about the affects stretching has on the brain and this evening my algorithms give me you two seemingly healthy, authentic, humble & honest men. I couldn't concentrate on that whole 18min video(severe adhd)-or could it be the coffee?!?! But I was quite attentive throughout this whole video🤔Even throughout the advertisements?! Woah. That's truly saying something. After watching this video its very clear my caffeine intake isn't healthy. And before this video I didnt put much thought into at all. This video as well as some others I've just watched of the two of you has got me motivated to change some unhealthy habits. Or addictions? 🤔On that note, I'm off to sleep on this new inspiration and information you've layed out so genuinely. Oh and you have such beautiful hands!

I recently quit caffeine due to anxiety issues. Plus I didn't like being a slave to it. I started putting apple cider in a small crock pot with herbs and fruit. I drink it hot and it satisfies my craving.

Omgoodness, I love coffee once a day, and have worries about it almost everyday, I want to know that it's a healthy balance and something I can include in my daily routine responsibly. I've been on both sides of the spectrum and value having it after a morning workout and fresh water in the system, never straight away. As a history nerd, I love how you went into the backstory! We are such social creatures and often how these routines get such a bad rap, but when they're conjoined with the basic human needs as connection and fulfillment by socializing with others, you can see how subconsciously people drink and drink and drink without receiving that ultimate fulfilling vibe! Gosh, all our anxieties and labels for these habits seems to stem from the basic ingredient of connection that we feel we are lacking... Connect first, drink 2nd. :) As someone who is going through a life change and transition, I've been observing my relationship to coffee and that 'need' for a second cup. I also remember the homiest place for me, once upon a time, was my aunties house, and the first thing you'd smell in the morning when you wake up is that fresh coffee, and we would 'quietly' sip it together and connect! Also, quietly connecting with others is something we miss and require. Thanks You guys! This rocks, what an awesome reflection.

Great vid! Well-informed, balanced, and practical. Motivates me to try to take another break... Keep the great content coming!

Definitely enjoyed the video and information. I only drink about 1, maybe 2, cups of coffee daily, but have also switched to Teeccino herbal coffee (basically herbal tea that is brewed like coffee). No caffeine, full of probiotics and other beneficial herbs. Tastes like coffee and gives me that warm feeling I enjoy so much in the morning. I'll get off regular coffee for a few weeks at a time and then do a half herbal and half regular brew. I noticed enhanced mental clarity when I started doing this, and also increased and steady energy levels. The flavors and brews are amazing too! Sure appreciate all of the content for you guys provide. Keep up the great work!! Have a blessed day!

I appreciate that this video is fairly balanced. But I also think sometimes health minded folks start to get obsessed with "body purity." I avoided caffeine for years and years because I had absorbed this underlying assumption that it was bad for me to be reliant on a "chemical" but now that I started to incorporate it daily I've found it very useful. I feel like it's actually reduced my anxiety, paradoxically made it easier to sleep at night, and improves my mood overall.

Love it! These videos may take longer but they're GOLD. Thank you

Good message at the end re the kids - especially in relation to those awful drinks. Great video. I used to be a coffee drinker - rarely, never got to the point where I was reliant on it. I'd drink it maybe once a month. I think I then started to drink it more frequently because of the 'Crap job' scenario, but still in very moderate amounts - once a day at the most with tea several times a day. But with the increase in-take of coffee I then noticed I was having heart palpitations. Initially didn't make the connection with coffee, but then over a period of a couple of weeks, as the frequency of having the coffee increased so did the palpitations, I made the connection and quit and just went back to tea. I'm in my 60's and English so I've been brought up on tea at some stage in life drunk it in pints every time I've had it (30's and 40's). These days I drink a lot less - 4 or 5 mugs of tea a day. I suffer from hypertension and don't generally sleep more than 7 hours a night on a work day. Not sure if that's down to the tea as at the weekend I'll easily sleep 11 hours. I definitely don't get the high you all get from coffee from tea, I feel better - but you all seem like you're off your tits on it. Interestingly recently I had some coffee and I was fine, but it was only one cup, so maybe I could hack one cup every now and then? Yeah do more of this.

Hi Trevor, congratulations for the video. I really like both the content and your sense of humor. So yes, I would like to watch more videos like this.

For so many different sides and viewpoints and research.👍

Hey man, great video. I've been busy with this for like 6 years. I started with caffeine when I was 16/17 and since then I always felt rushed, high on dopamine etc. Now I have quitted caffeine for 3 months and most of my symptoms are gone. A week ago I tried just one cup of coffee and all the symptoms came back but 10 times harder. Impulses, no self-control, adrenaline. Better off without it and maybe when I have to workout for a long time I'll do it again.

I really enjoyed this episode. I took my first break from caffeine a couple years ago when I got Covid. I ended up taking about a month off. When I had that first cup after a month off I could not believe how euphoric the feeling was. It really opened my eyes to how powerful of a drug caffeine really is. Unfortunately most of us are addicts and don’t really get the benefits of it because we’re just maintaining our addictions.

I’m also just drinking my coffee as I watch. I allow myself one cup per week. I’m extremely sensitive to caffeine and stimulants of any kind . I’m watching my body react to the caffeine within minutes and the jittery effects last for quite some time. This is my next external thing to quit. It’s been interesting as I’ve been letting my addictions go, one by one, my baseline dopamine is recovering and I’m able to motivate myself to do lots without the need for any substance. I’m 53 and have started running this year, I’m up to about 20 miles per week and I do an ice plunge once per week and cold showers in between. I feel better than I’ve felt in years, especially my mood and motivation.

Thank you for all of the time and energy it took to make this video. I really needed to see this, right now…from you. Long story short, Ive been feeling like garbage lately. Just a little bit of a lotta things. It’s all lifestyle related. Caffeine has been on the peripherals for some time now. “Let’s try everything else first”…there’s a lot of other things first. Then you, an already trusted source of all kinds of information and entertainment, sit down at the table for a casual chat. An unbiased, genuinely interested and informed overall cool guy to gently remind me of what I already know.

Loved the video. Thank you for all the hard work and love put into it Trevor. It reminds of the vlog style videos you guys used to make and they were soooooo good. I still rewatch them now. So please keep em coming.

Awesome video! Loved learning more about coffee. I grew up in Colombia where people would drink a tiny cup of coffee in the morning and perhaps another small one in the afternoon (we call it tinto) things have changed over time and now big names are all over the place selling copious amounts of coffee (huge cups of it) to people and sugary drinks.

Good, thoughtful discussion. The key being doing self assessments and figuring out what is a moderate amount for YOU. For me caffeine triggers inflammation. And 1 cup of coffee with last me 2 days (meaning the effects stay with me until the 3rd day after I drank it). So, I've had to adjust and generally am caffeine free now, unless I need it for safety (i.e. late night drive).

I loved this video. Very informative and you used personal testimony. Thank you. 😊🥰

Love this type video content. Keep them coming.

Great information. Thank you for the hard work and effort. You dudes are changing my life. For the better. I’ve done caffeine detox for a week. Had a fine time with it. I wasn’t going crazy. I will do again and extend to two weeks. Caffeine also impact bladder spasms eg urgency to urinate. It was great during detox to see that urgency go away.

I’ve tried it, wasn’t worth it. I don’t drink alcohol, nor do I smoke, or do drugs, but I must be caffeinated. I manage to counter-balance the anxiety that caffeine might enhance by doing cardio activities, such as jogging or running. I am a happier and more positive person when caffeinated.

Love this new style video, it's nice in a way to get an insight into you and your personality / life in more than just training related way. Like having a chat with an old friend, thanks for the tips,im gonna give up coffee for a week, I've noticed my intake rising and I know I don't need it. So I'm cutting it our for a while!

Appreciate your message, thanks for putting your work out here. I stopped drinking coffee, but have been loving matcha. Taking a break from all caffeine feels great - after the first few days

May Life forever bless you, thank you for being Life's blessing

great video! I love this new format ❤

You guys NAILED this video. Been watching you guys since before the pandemic and seen you guys grow and develop and it’s very motivating to watch that progress. Also, of course, have gotten an enormous amount of value from the content of your videos that I frankly haven’t been able to find anywhere else. It is very obvious that this video took a lot of time and work, like you mentioned at the end. It paid off for sure 👌🏻.

I’d be really interested in how you guys live. What nutrition and workouts look like for an entire week. What you eat for meals. Fasting. Going out with friends. Quick stretch after computer work. Stuff like that.

Loved it and would love to see more like it - Thank you for all the hark work

Thanks, no one is talking about these negative stuff that could happen, what about diarrhea and mental/physical breakdown. loved the content, have a nice day everyone

Informative and very well constructed. I appreciated the researched presentation of this complex topic. Thank you for the effort and production.

That was an amazing video. Thank you! Would love to see more of these :)

Really appreciate you having done the research and packaging it in such a beautifully Simple and Understandable way!!!❤... Love you guys🙏🥳💞... Many thanks😊

Very useful information. You did all the work: research, read, summarized, and presented. Please continue the diet presentations. Thank you.

Excellent informational video! And meaningful personal sharing

Cool step away to add to your usual content. Nice!

I love this kind of format of video types, would be cool to see some more! My relationship with coffee and caffeine is more pleasurable and for performance I would say. I typically like to brew a cup in the morning followed with some reading and journaling then I stretch and start my workout in the morning and I feel really fresh and strong. After some experimenting with times of caffeine and when I go to sleep, I found my body responds better if I don’t consume caffeine after 2:30-3pm, making my sleep better and more deep and overall feelings throughout the day.

Love this style, intellectual side + strength side is nice

Great video. Thank you!

Brilliant video! Well researched and edited 👏

nice video man. i haven't had much caffeine in my life but i liked the video. Looking forward to the next. I'm sure you have a lot of interesting topics. thx for all.

Thanks for putting in that work. Great video. Integral info

Fun and informative, thank you.

I enjoyed this, especially the perspectives from both sides and appreciate your effort researching 🙏👍 I’m a barista and it’s interesting to see people’s relationships with caffeine too. Almost everyone loves the smell of coffee though (whether they are getting one or not) ☕️😊

Great video. Informative and entertaining.

Thank you yet another awesome video 😊

Excellent information. Thank you.

You just sent a newsletter talking about good coffee So it's good to know that you look at things from both sides or all sides

You did a wonderful job addressing the range of issues and benefits of caffeine and its so important to not that EVERYONE's EXPERIENCE CAN VARY WIDELY. So the downfall with medical research is that we tend to generalize findings that don't necessarily apply to us. Basic and simple. If our caffeine intake feels like it has control over us, we need to cut back or cut it out like any other substance or activity. And we need to be deeply honest with ourselves to determine that. GREAT WORK and THANK YOU as I enjoy my instant black coffee!!

Great vid guys👍 delivered really well and fun to watch.

Thanks!

I gave up most caffeine three years ago. Sleeping better feeling great. Great video!

A perfect video about caffeine and enjoyable to watch. I have personally found that dosing my caffeine helps. Years ago I use to grab lots of cafe coffees through my work day and this would lead to huge spikes in caffeine. Eg. 500mg in a day. After quitting caffeine and later returning, I found that I can perceive a diffence with as little as 50mg of caffeine at a time. Now I prefer to control it so that my baseline daily dose is 75mg (from a powdered drink that I like). For a big workout on a Saturday morning I'll ramp up to 250mg for the superman effect

I love the first shot in this video with your package pressed up over the counter. 😊

Coffe from Organic Beans = Good. Energy Drinks, soda = NOT so good

I really appreciated this homework thank you!

I definitely like this style of video! Was just thinking about caffeine consumption in the past couple of days. I am an avid tea and coffee drinker and thought this was very informative and interesting! Would love to see more of this kind of content from you guys!

Very good video on the subject. You definitely covered the topic pretty well. The only thing I would add, is that the brain compensates for the blocking of the adenosine receptors by producing more of them. This is important for two reasons, first is that you then need to continue to drink the same amount of caffeine daily, in order to maintain the same amount of benefits, and if you increase the amount you consume, the less effective it becomes when you reduce the amount you consume. Secondly, when you reduce the amount you consume, your brain then reduces the number of receptors, and this is why we get the headaches for a few days after quitting coffee. But, at least then you're back to normal.

Thanks for this video! Coffee is definitely something I want to have less of, but it's definitely a comfort thing for me (especially as we get into the dreary Michigan winter season). This had a lot of food for thought :)

Thanks for the video! I love my espresso coffee, and I think it's gotten a little out of hand. Time for me to do a coffee fast for about a month, get the withdrawal headache, and start from the beginning. Use it in the morning, get rid of the Red Bull and V-8 Energy drinks, and leave it at that. I do not rely on it for sports performance, but do feel like it enhances my overall energy level, memory, and alertness. On my way now for the coffee fast, and see how long it can last! Stay well Trevor!

Great video thanks

Cool video. I used to be addicted, quite heavily, to caffeine. I would get horrible sleep and delusional anxiety from it. I can’t even have a casual relationship with it anymore. One cup even consumed slowly throws me off. I think I get more out of consuming whole ashwagandha in tea and eating 10-15 moringa seeds a day. I drink a lot of different herbal tea blends and I feel like this all gives me the electricity to stay connected to myself and my surroundings for the whole day. I have very powerful workouts too!!

I started waiting around 90 mins after I wake up to have coffee and it helped me not want more later on in the day. I think Im ready to take a week or two off and see how I feel. Great vid. Much appreciated!

I’ve quit caffeine for more than 3 months now I feel amazing I drink rooibos tea I avoid caffeine at all cost and I sleep like a baby and wake up fresh daily

Great video! loved how you are open-minded and data-based at the same time. I'm also taking time to examine my relationship with coffee, I wonder how my day is gonna look like without it :-)

This is an awesome informative video. I totally agree with everything you pointed out. Caffeine in it's natural form ( no sugar or cream ) is beneficial and taste perfect..as is. I don't drink the synthetic kind of caffeine to get me through my day or workouts. I depend on a good night sleep and doing Strength Side mobility video :) to power through my day. I have 1 cup of black coffee in the morning and matcha tea in the afternoon because I love the taste and it's my daily ritual. Keep up the videos !

Great video thank you

Great❕Best, drink coffee once in awhile to accelerate your fitness goals. Read, 'Eat To Win'. As it describes Caffeine for race day perks. No Caffeine for all the reasons mentioned. Yes, more Topicals like exercise form vs. quanity, not to get injured, etc.

9:07 "it narrows our field of focus" - finally a said negative that may be related to an extremely bad effect of caffeine I sometimes feel if I drink it before workout/physical activity. What I then feel is some limited, impaired consciousness of my body towards the environment around. A feeling of a decreased control over my body and thereby a fear of moving it in particular ways.

Great info thanx

great vid!

Great video Thanks for sharing this research on caffeine. Will give the audiobook a listen. I am an early riser and use caffeine daily to jumpstart my morning but I have to set limits because too much definitely interferes with my sleep. I try to be done drinking coffee by 10am. And limit it to two coffee cups worth. Any more than that or later than that my sleep is not as restful.

Love my coffee & at 69 I need 6 double shots every morning at 4-5am before a few push/pull ups - go for a surf or skate or walk the dog wearing 14KG weighted vest - But that's all I have, maybe a green tea - so agree, coffee later in the day is a disaster for me, poor sleep, headaches & irritability! Loved this vid, SUBSCRIBED!! (Sorry for shouting, I'm in Australia - we're all upside down here.. :)

Dear sir great respect for your information still it seems clairly your dajly work is work out ect chapeau

You really need to make a podcast! Love these videos!

Good video, packed with information and nicely presented. Most days I have two cups of coffee in the morning and one cup mid afternoon. I never exceed this. Moderation is key to maximising benefits whilst avoiding negative effects. ☕️

Very balanced info. Look forward to more of this type of video. Has inspired me to go off coffee for a few months cause I’m a straight up addict 😅😅 Thanks Strengthside 🙏

Informational video! seems like intentional moderate caffeine use is okay for those of us that enjoy it! I've embraced caffeine but definitely recognize the sleep effects of daily use......

I loved this video! Personally I quit caffeine for a few month completely and now I have a cup a day, sometimes none. I can see huge health benefits after I started treating caffeine this way. I’m glad you talked about it, it’s an important topic

Great video