I'd do gradually (I've been addicted since 1982) because I get really profound headaches without coffee, but I've weaned myself from "several" to two cups per day without problems.
YMMV, but I quit caffeine almost three years ago, and did it cold turkey. Unlike many coffee drinkers I know, I enjoy the flavor of coffee. So I indulge in an occasional brewed decaf. However, I'm one of those people who (no surprise to my fellow Callahanians, I'm sure ) prefers binary decisions. It's mine, or it's not. I can eat it, or I can't. Cold turkey was just easier for my temperament than weaning myself off of it.
Fortunately, caffeine withdrawal had no symptoms that I ever noticed. Good luck!
I've involuntarily gone cold turkey (for a day or two) a couple times, and I got splitting headaches. (Note to self: bring secret stash of Diet Coke for any visits with the Toronto relatives.)
Every fall I spend about a week gradually reducing caffeine from normal to zero, in preparation for Yom Kippur, and that works pretty well for me. I don't know what other effects there might be if I then stayed off the stuff, as I haven't tried. I break the fast with caffeine. :-) (Ok, first I have some water, then caffeine.)
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(no subject)
Date: 2002-05-30 08:20 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2002-05-31 06:01 am (UTC)cold turkey, or gradually?
YMMV, but I quit caffeine almost three years ago, and did it cold turkey. Unlike many coffee drinkers I know, I enjoy the flavor of coffee. So I indulge in an occasional brewed decaf. However, I'm one of those people who (no surprise to my fellow Callahanians, I'm sure
Fortunately, caffeine withdrawal had no symptoms that I ever noticed. Good luck!
(no subject)
Date: 2002-05-31 06:28 am (UTC)Every fall I spend about a week gradually reducing caffeine from normal to zero, in preparation for Yom Kippur, and that works pretty well for me. I don't know what other effects there might be if I then stayed off the stuff, as I haven't tried. I break the fast with caffeine. :-) (Ok, first I have some water, then caffeine.)