I have not had caffeine for 5 years! I read how the effects of it can exacerbate the onset of anxiety attacks and I figure that by cancelling this out enables my body to at least to function in a more natural state! I feel that my anxiety os more managable without caffeine. Sometimes I would get the shakes after consuming it - I felt too wired and I do not enjoy that heightened state of feeling.

Caffeine is a psychoacitve substance; there have been so many trials on the effects of caffeine and the psychostimulant actions that result from digesting it. It is all about indvidual differences again. Some people are more perceptive to the negative effects than others'.

However, I guess as with most substances that are used in a dysfunctional manner it is the learned behaviour surrounding how it is used and why it is used that reinforces the need for it. Operant conditioning - every time you have a situation that requires you to step up a gear and stay alert you consume caffeine - to enforce that feeling - you have just trained your mind to believe that it helps when actually the physical negatives could outweight the positves of consuming it. As I always say, clever old mind eh?

More dialy caffeine intake can cause nervousness, sweating, tenseness, upset stomach, stomach ulcers, anxiety and insomnia. It can also prevent clear thinking and increase the side effects of certain medications.

It does seem that from many of the trials that there is little evidence that supports the use of caffeine to benefit mood or perfromance.

How about natural alternatives that actually achieve the physical and mental state you are looking for? Ginko biloba and ginseng come to mind! But, in my opinion the most helpfull in reducing stress, allowing one to stay more alert and function at a higer level would be good old fashioned exercise.

Spirit x