Caffeine is a drug. I have ingested caffeine my entire life. Only recently I have begun to understand the effects of caffeine on the body and brain.
Caffeine has to be the most acceptable drug in the world. But if you listen to spiritual teachers they will tell you that it is a drug, but it affects your mental clarity, and can hinder your spiritual journey.
So I have begun the withdrawal process. The biggest thing I notice is the headache. From what I understand it can last from 2 to 9 days.
I recently discovered that caffeine withdrawal is recognized as a diagnosis in the latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), which is published by the American Psychiatric Association.
In other words, caffeine withdrawal is in the same category as cocaine withdrawal, and alcohol withdrawal. Caffeine is a real drug and can be a real problem.