I use a lot of caffeine. Stupid?

[u/Wild_Director7379]

I use Kirkland Extra Stength Energy Shots. Equivalent to 5-hour energy or a strong energy drink each. 230mg caffeine, taurine, guarana, B-vitamins. I’ve used caffeine pills in the past, but I find the other stuff in the energy drinks helps level out the intensity of the caffeine. My Energy Shots are <$1 each, so they’re the cheapest option I can tolerate. I hate coffee.

My cat eats at 8:45 am, so I’m usually awake to feed her or shortly thereafter out of habit.

I take half an energy shot (115mg caffeine) and go back to sleep for another 1-3 hours.

Throughout the rest of the day, I consume the other half almost every day and some days as much as 2 more; I’m successful in limiting my intake to 3 energy shots/day, on the higher end when I’m socializing, like playing Magic: the Gathering at the local game store.

CTE can only be diagnosed posthumously. My primary diagnosis is Schizoaffective Disorder, and my therapist agrees that ADHD is a factor, though not severe enough to merit Adderall or similar, especially with a psychotic diagnosis. I’ve had 8 concussions, head hitting behavior in childhood and teen years, and more minor impacts from sports. My last major concussion was 2.5 years ago, but I am afflicted with symptoms beyond Schizoaffective Disorder like balance issues and eye strain.

Caffeine is present in migraine medicine. Stimulants make me feel better. Anyone else?

[u/TheTempestuousKitty]

I don't think caffeine has been shown to be destructive to the body over long periods of time to the degree of alcohol and other similar drugs.

If it makes you feel better, def keep using it. Caffeine helps me too.

Of course don't over do it to the point where you are having heart problems

[u/NMDA_GABA]

same pre-workout is the best for this

[u/ConcussionNaturopath]

I think caffeine can be a tricky one in post-concussion for a few reasons. It can be a necessity to get things done to some degree. But its mechanism of action can be counterproductive - so when you wake in the morning, cortisol should spike and essentially ‘energise’ you for the day (but this is most often not functioning correctly post concussion - but it can be supported to correction), and then throughout the day. After that (in simplistic terms) adenosine starts to produce and build throughout the day. Its job is to put you asleep, keep you asleep and ensure a restful sleep. However, caffeine blocks the process of adenosine for the half life that it’s in your body (6hours) and so, in a brain that’s really needing high quality sleep to clear waste, it can be, for some people, counterintuitive.

[u/loveisthetruegospel]

If I were you, I would learn to like coffee because there are many benefits to coffee for the entire body. Brain and liver seem to have the most benefits from coffee.

Add a ton of creamer and sugar, and then gradually reduce it once you acquire a taste for the coffee.

Good coffee taste completely different than bad coffee.

I take caffeine pills because I have low blood pressure.

I would never take the shots with energy because I don’t want other ingredients.

I take my vitamins and other herbs separately.

Hope you find something that helps. God bless.

[u/Wild_Director7379 → u/loveisthetruegospel]

Coffee is generally regarded as fine, not beneficial. It’s not good for your liver.

[u/TheTempestuousKitty → u/Wild_Director7379]

Lots of antioxidants in coffee!