What could cause caffeine to have the opposite effect for me?

Question

Every time I have Coke, coffee or anything else with caffeine, I never get more awake. In fact, I tend to fall asleep very quickly for at least an hour. I'm wondering what could cause that to happen-- if there's maybe some characteristic about my body versus most others. I'm usually very much awake at the time I drink it, so it's not like I'm already really tired. Anyway, I honestly don't care, nor do I worry, but it's interesting stuff.

Answer 1

I am not exactly sure if this is right… I never believe in the fact that caffeine works. For all I cared I drank heaps of coffee everyday as I worked in starbucks… I never felt awake, I always slept well. I was also a diet coke addict. Since I left starbucks I was hooked on to diet coke. At least a bottle a day and no changes absolutely whatsoever. You can say I was addicted to diet coke. I will fell very irritated and restless if I ran out of diet coke. Then I read an article about the damages from diet coke to human body and I completely stopped by habit. Since then I am a calmer person. I sleep early and wake up early. I have complete lack of energy compared to what I had, but I feel good inside, feel healthy……

For saying all this what I am coming to is…. Your mind is very powerful; you believe what you want to believe. I believed caffeine can do nothing to me…. Although it made a huge change by keeping me extra active throughout the day I just dint want to believe it and I never believed it.

It’s all in your mind. Your mind is strong and it does not believe that caffeine can keep you awake. So to give you the satisfaction of “I am right” your mind forces your body to sleep. That’s what happened to me :)

Answer 2

If you are like me, this is a weakness of yours too. I digest way too much caffeine each day. I probably have at least six or more servings each day. More than I should consume in several days. I drink too much cola. That is my problem. Not only is it loaded with sugar, it has caffeine in it too. A cup of coffee in the morning to get you going isn't going to hurt. It can help you wake up and be more alert. It can help jump start your day into something worthwhile. Instead of feeling sleepy and tired. Though, if you drink too much caffeine, you can have the opposite effect that you are looking for. It can drain all of your energy and make you feel very tired.

Even if you do not think you consume too much, keep in mind that Caffienne has a 1/2 life. i.e If you have an entire Red Bull, it is still possible to have 50% of that caffienne in your system 24 hours later. I know. Hard to imagine, but your body does not metabolize it the way you think. It is easy to overlap it and end p with too much in your system.

ALSO - Coca Cola is great stuff. (I used to work for them) But stay away from the soda if you can and if you can't - try to drink the calorie free ones. SUGAR may be your nasty culperite.

Thanks -

Answer 3

You are probally like me and addited to caffeine. Just like any drug you get a high and a low. If you are like me you do not even feel the high too much anymore. I can drink a cup of coffee or Dr. Pepper and fall asleep. This is not the best thing health wise I am sure but It is my life. I work at Starbucks and I tell people I work there to support my habit.
I have a tip if you want to know just how addicted you are. Skip drinking any caffenine for 1 day. You should get the biggest headache of your life and it will not go away till you have some caffeine. Try drinking just one cup the next day. you should feel a little better but the third day skip again. This is the day you will realize just how much you need it.

Answer 4

Most of the time caffeine gives me a boost like you'd expect. But once in a while, my energy just plummets. I'm not talking about the "crash" after the boost. I mean my energy starts going down hill 20 or 30 minutes after taking it. It seems to happen 10% of the time or so. And I have no idea why.

Answer 5

Your energy levels, or feelings of being "up" or "down" have much to do with blood sugar. So, it sounds like you go "down" immediately after consuming something sugary. Caffeine might not be the culprit.

It also may be a good time to look into detoxifying your body.

Or at least, find a way to cut out a lot of the sugar that are in your drinks/food. (easier said than done, trust me I know.)

Amazon.com
"Sugar lurks in foods in more than 85 different forms. Kathleen DesMaisons, Ph.D., the first person to receive a doctorate in addictive nutrition, says that besides being detrimental to the immune system, the more than 100 pounds of processed sugar consumed annually by each American is responsible for "mood swings, depression, fatigue, fuzzy thinking, PMS, impulsivity ... [and] unpredictable temper." And while overdosing on the sweet stuff is a national pastime, she says her research shows indulging in sugar highs should be treated much more seriously, akin to heroin or alcohol dependency, because sugar causes spikes in the neurotransmitters serotonin and beta-dopamine just like those drugs--and can eventually wreak similar mayhem on one's health, work, and relationships."

Answer 6

A few of the people are very smart on this for realizing it could be ADD! Or a hormonal problem, or you have a severe sugar rush and then it just dies really fast. Sodas are so bad for you anyway so it's a sign to not drink them anymore! Have some tea instead ;)

Answer 7

If you smoke then that would be the most likely explanation. Smoking reduces the body's ability to absorb caffeine in to the bloodstream.

Also, if you have a high body mass and have a history of regular caffeine intake then you are likely to be less susceptible to it's effects.

Answer 8

Haha, I think I might have the same problem you do. I drink sodas to stay awake, then go to sleep right after. MAybe our minds are just messed up like that.

Answer 9

Have you heard of giving speed to hyperactive kids? A friend of mine with ADD drinks caffeine when he's too wired and wants to settle down. You, in particular, I don't know.

Answer 10

Caffeine is a drug. In some people, some drugs can have the opposite effect from what they're supposed to have.