<!--StartFragment -->When I consume too much caffeine (i.e., espresso, strong coffee, too much coffee, energy drinks) I become extremely tired. However, if I just consume my usual regular-strength 2-4 cups when I wake up, it helps me to be more alert, without making me tired and without making me jittery. The extreme tiredness I feel upon drinking too much caffeine is not when it wears off but rather within an hour or so of drinking it. I've noticed that with other people, excess caffeine speeds them up, makes them jittery, and the like. Does having ADHD have anything to do with the effect excess caffeine has on me? Does anybody else here have the same reaction to excess caffeine?

I've noticed this effect ever since I was a kid. And it has been brought up again several times recently, such as when I had some espresso last week and then became extremely tired and took a nap. And it was brought up again just tonight, when I made my coffee too strong. I thought to myself, "Oh sh*t, I hope this doesn't make me tired." Then, sure enough, in about an hour I realized I have become extremely tired, and was wondering why, and then remembered that I made my coffee too strong.

I'm just confused, and am wondering why I react like this. :confused:

I do the same tmhing. I do not know why.

ME :D

It could be the same effect that Ritalin and other stimulants have... namely the opposite effect to a certain degree.

I can drink 2 cups of coffee and go to bed. I always wanted to think it was overstimulation???? It is like it runs me out of"gas".

Caffeine is a strange bird for me. I am a pretty regular drinker of classic Coke. Not because of the caffeine, I just like the taste and it is the only drink that really quenches my thirst.

Cokes don't seem to affect me. A coke right before bed will usually never keep me from sleeping. One right in the morning will not usually wake me up. The only time I feel a distinct boost every once in a while is with a Coke in the middle of the day, and it only lasts for an hour or so. I go through 3-4 a day.

Not the healthiest drink in the world but it is cheaper than just about anything but water.

Instant coffee, on the other hand, will wake me up quick. Especally if I make it strong.

Caffeine is pretty much like any other stimulant in that response won't be linear. More isn't always better; there's an "optimal dose."

People have always looked upon me with incredulity when I say I can drink a double expresso and go straight to bed. I love drinking coffee after a nice meal - my friends and family always opt for decaf...

Mark

that would be because espresso has less caffeine in it than a regular cup of coffee. the method of roasting/brewing results in less caffeine, more flavor.

By means of comparison, a 7 oz cup of coffee has the following caffeine (mg) amounts, according to Bunker and McWilliams in J.


Am. Diet. 74:28-32, 1979:

Drip 115-175
Espresso 100mg of caffeine [1 serving (1.5-2oz)]

Brewed 80-135
Instant 65-100
Decaf, brewed 3-4
Decaf, instant 2-3
Tea, iced (12 ozs.) 70
Tea, brewed, imported 60
Tea, brewed, U.S. 40
Tea, instant 30
Mate 25-150mg


The variability in the amount of caffeine in a cup of coffee or
tea is relatively large even if prepared by the same person using
the same equipment and ingredients day after day.</pre> http://www.faqs.org/faqs/caffeine-faq/

there's definitely an optimum time/window period for coffee to work. I discovered it by accident one day before doing morning maths exerices and i zoomed through most of them in a way i never could before-- granted they were the pretty easy ones, but-- wow. Before an exam I'd time myself so i'd know exactly when to take my coffee.
now i pretty much stay away from the stuff though. my digestive system just cant take the stuff anymore. coffee doesn't make me hyper though.

I have reciently stoped drinking any caffeine from coke to coffee. It makes me get extreamly tired, but when I try and sleep after drinking caffeine, i just can't sleep.

This morning will be day 2 of this trial and error process. So far, last night, I slept 7.45 hours and i'm used to getting 4-5 hours of sleep.

Day 2 of no caffeine. Slept great, again 7.45 hours. I havn't slept this good in the full time i've been on this medication. I don't know why caffeine has an affect on my meds even at night time when the meds have worn off. Even a simple coke will keep me from sleeping when I need to.

Day 2 of no caffeine. Slept great, again 7.45 hours. I havn't slept this good in the full time i've been on this medication. I don't know why caffeine has an affect on my meds even at night time when the meds have worn off. Even a simple coke will keep me from sleeping when I need to.

What beverages have you been consuming that contain caffeine? I used to think that about myself (caffeine keeping me from sleeping), but it really was the sugar (or something else). I used to drink Mountain Dew, and one 20oz bottle would keep me up all night, but I can drink a cup or two of coffee and fall asleep fine. In fact, gatorade has a higher disposition torwards keeping me up all night than coffee. In fact, Mountain dew made sleeping much harder than Jolt Cola for me, if you'd believe that one....

What beverages have you been consuming that contain caffeine? I used to think that about myself (caffeine keeping me from sleeping), but it really was the sugar (or something else). I used to drink Mountain Dew, and one 20oz bottle would keep me up all night, but I can drink a cup or two of coffee and fall asleep fine. In fact, gatorade has a higher disposition torwards keeping me up all night than coffee. In fact, Mountain dew made sleeping much harder than Jolt Cola for me, if you'd believe that one....
Well, it was a fairly wide range from sundrop to mtn dew maybe 2-3 a day and a couple cups of coffie a day. Interesting post there. I think i'll try just coffie 2-3 hours before bedtime to see what happons. I got nothing to do tomarrow, so if i can't sleep no biggie. I'll post the results :D

You where right Highfunctioning, I drunk a cup of coffie before bedtime and I had no issues sleeping.

"I used to drink Mountain Dew, and one 20oz bottle would keep me up all night"

It seams this is also true in my part.

Don't laugh, but I often consider giving my 8yo ADDer coffee to help him sleep. I'd probably do it if I thought my hubby would understand without long discussion.

I also don't think caffiene would be a problem for my 5yo because, although he isn't ADD, he is very extroverted. The research on caffiene's effects on focus that started about a decade ago (of course, I have no sense of time!) showed these same "opposite" effects for extroverts vs. introverts -- extroverts focus better and introverts become more "stimulated". Of course, this is normals, so it may be somewhat confounded with ADD traits.

that is an interesting approach

I am introvert , innatentive type , have low blood pressure and I am hooked on coffeine.I could not give it up even when i was pregnant....

Unless I am exhausted I can not fall asleep if I drank cofee after 2pm...not until 3-4 am.I drink my cofee black-no sugar involved....