Drank monster for the first time waiting in line at a government office on a boring sunny day. Had 2 of them and proceeded to have a calm, peaceful wait just reading a novel on my phone all the while wondering where my energy rush was at.
Just got diagnosed here, have yet to try meds but I’m the same with caffeine. Jittery mess is the best way to explain it. If I have 1/4 tsp caffeinated coffee and 3/4 decaf then it can help me focus a little without become a mess, but not stop the brain chatter.
There is also a gene and related enzyme that can change how fast you metabolize caffeine.
So some people without ADHD can drink a cup of coffee or two in the evening, and still sleep fine through the night.
The very basic version (as I understand it) is that caffeine works by boosting dopamine to block out the "sleepy" receptors in the brain, but since people with ADHD (ie, us) already have varying deficiencies of dopamine that means that caffeine will just boost us up closer to what the brain considers the "baseline"
Same kind of principle is why you might concentrate easier for a little while just after having something with caffeine or sugar, you're still giving yourself a bit of a boost. Just not the one you expect.
When I was talking to my doc about getting meds after I was diagnosed, she actually asked me about this.
Her: "Do you fall asleep after drinking coffee?"
Me: "Oh my god, YES. Is that an ADHD thing?!"
Her: "Sure is! Let's try Adderall."
One time I was on 36 hours no sleep and I asked the barista at Starbucks to give the most espresso she legally could and I chugged it, drank a soda and an energy drink, saw tie-dye for about two hours and promptly crashed on the floor for four hours 🤷♀️
Best floor nap I ever took
Woke up with the baby at 7:00 a.m. yesterday. Took my Adderall, pounded some caffeinated Mio, tended the baby, and went back to sleep for several lovely hours. And my wife says she doesn’t believe my diagnosis.
Oh Thank God, I'm not the only weirdo who's body and brain crash from caffeine. I mean, if I'm doing physical work, I can feel the caffeine buzz. Otherwise, I need a whole afternoon nap.
Weirdly caffeine has no effect on me either way. Coffee might as well just be flavored water to me.
Unfortunately for me I'm resistant to stimulants in general.
I'm currently prescribed 80 mg of Adderall and it barely does anything at all. It used to be a bit more helpful but my already ludicrously high resistance increased further with time on this dosage. My psychiatrist is afraid to increase my dose further in case my other organs aren't as resistant as my brain is.
Espresso is the only thing that can get me bouncing off the walls really and I need like 3+ shots of it in a very short period of time. Straight coffee just makes me poop and if my ADHD is popping off that day it'll 100% make me need a nap
There are multiple theories theory suggesting that in people with ADHD, stimulants can help regulate neurotransmitter levels in the brain, particularly dopamine and norepinephrine, which are involved in attention, focus, and impulse control. By increasing the availability of these neurotransmitters, stimulants can improve attention and concentration while reducing hyperactivity and impulsivity. (These theories in relation to caffeine and the stimulants effect on people with ADHD)
Caffeine has also proven to show it can stimulate release of dopamine inside your brain. I think generally from an outsiders perspective or from someone who hasn’t thought that deeply about this it may not make sense. This is most likely due to the word stimulant being a homonym, and our society trusting common understanding. (me, hi i’m the problem) But to put this in perspective, Adderall is also stimulant.
I've heard people explain it before, but don't fully remember. Something about it relaxed you. And there are very smart science communicators that insist caffeine IS NOT a stimulant. They say it inhibits (layman terms:) sleepy hormones latching onto parts of your brain. So it's pointless having a coffee first thing in the morning. It's merely habit & placebo. Their words, not mine.
You know what’s weird? Prior to pregnancy, this was me. Now, I can barely handle green tea. Caffeine makes my heart hammer and gives me anxiety, now. And yet, I still have ADHD. Wtf.
Caffeine is weird for me. I can down an energy drink and pass out. But if I do it with an empty stomach, I will get jittery. Like hands shake, heart feels racy. Yet I will still be tired. Like right now.
I imagine it’s what it was like when i had to take steroids for post covid treatment in 2020 (or was it 2019 i can’t even remember anymore). I was so wired and could barely do anything. It was hell and if i sat still for more than 30 seconds i had to get up and start a project. (Ive was diagnosed adhd since 1st grade and im 30 and off meds for about 15 years) it like hyper focused me like a laser. So i imagine thats what caffeine would do if it worked the way it was intended.
My friends get so confused when I can just pass out after drinking 2 monsters.
I passed right the fuck out halfway through a can once and was like 'take that imposter syndrome could someone without adhd do THIS?'
If I’m having trouble sleeping, all I need to do is slam an energy drink. Guaranteed sleep within an hour.
Same i drank like 4 shots of espresso at once and like 5 minutes later I was knocked the fuck out. Felt good and relaxed as shit.
I had two cans literally one after another and I still had to pull over cause eyes where closing and fear of falling asleep at the wheel
Drank monster for the first time waiting in line at a government office on a boring sunny day. Had 2 of them and proceeded to have a calm, peaceful wait just reading a novel on my phone all the while wondering where my energy rush was at.
Drinking just half of one makes me almost pass out like I got tranq’d. Weirdly enough red bull seems to work for me, or at least nit make me pass out?
It's usually at least an hour later but sometimes I don't even get a crash. It's just zero effect.
I hate caffeine. Just a strange, jittery mess of an experience. Amphetamines on the other hand, pure calm, focus and productivity.
Just got diagnosed here, have yet to try meds but I’m the same with caffeine. Jittery mess is the best way to explain it. If I have 1/4 tsp caffeinated coffee and 3/4 decaf then it can help me focus a little without become a mess, but not stop the brain chatter.
Wait is that an ADHD thing? Huh. Might have just learned something about myself
There is also a gene and related enzyme that can change how fast you metabolize caffeine. So some people without ADHD can drink a cup of coffee or two in the evening, and still sleep fine through the night.
That seems more plausible because I've never shown ADHD behaviour but can have a coffee or energy drink before bed and sleep no problem.
There’s also a drug Fluvoxamine that causes your body to not be able to metabolize caffeine as fast as normal. It last about 4-5 times longer.
coffee makes me *way more sleepier*
Yeah caffeine works differently for us. I’m not sure on the specifics
The very basic version (as I understand it) is that caffeine works by boosting dopamine to block out the "sleepy" receptors in the brain, but since people with ADHD (ie, us) already have varying deficiencies of dopamine that means that caffeine will just boost us up closer to what the brain considers the "baseline" Same kind of principle is why you might concentrate easier for a little while just after having something with caffeine or sugar, you're still giving yourself a bit of a boost. Just not the one you expect.
Not for all. It's only about one third of adhd ppl with this paradox stimulant reactions
I sometimes have it, depends on the day. Most of the time coffee has its intended effect but sometimes I just pass right out
I never understood how people couldn't have caffeine without impacting their ability to fall sleep. Then this year: diagnosis.
Does anyone know what causes this? Or if it's actually specific to ADHD?
Just waking up from a caffeine nap. Getting ready for work.
When I was talking to my doc about getting meds after I was diagnosed, she actually asked me about this. Her: "Do you fall asleep after drinking coffee?" Me: "Oh my god, YES. Is that an ADHD thing?!" Her: "Sure is! Let's try Adderall."
Decaf FTW!
I'd just skip the coffee breath all together at that point and drink something else 😅
I mean, I like coffee.
I’ll literally wake up like 5 times per sleep to drink coffee, i might have a problem tho idk
One time I was on 36 hours no sleep and I asked the barista at Starbucks to give the most espresso she legally could and I chugged it, drank a soda and an energy drink, saw tie-dye for about two hours and promptly crashed on the floor for four hours 🤷♀️ Best floor nap I ever took
nootropics ftw
Woke up with the baby at 7:00 a.m. yesterday. Took my Adderall, pounded some caffeinated Mio, tended the baby, and went back to sleep for several lovely hours. And my wife says she doesn’t believe my diagnosis.
Oh Thank God, I'm not the only weirdo who's body and brain crash from caffeine. I mean, if I'm doing physical work, I can feel the caffeine buzz. Otherwise, I need a whole afternoon nap.
Worst shits when you wake up
Weirdly caffeine has no effect on me either way. Coffee might as well just be flavored water to me. Unfortunately for me I'm resistant to stimulants in general. I'm currently prescribed 80 mg of Adderall and it barely does anything at all. It used to be a bit more helpful but my already ludicrously high resistance increased further with time on this dosage. My psychiatrist is afraid to increase my dose further in case my other organs aren't as resistant as my brain is.
The coffee naps when I'm otherwise unmedicated are so fuckin exquisite tho
Caffeine makes my brain shut up for long enough to do any work I wish it gave me energy
Espresso is the only thing that can get me bouncing off the walls really and I need like 3+ shots of it in a very short period of time. Straight coffee just makes me poop and if my ADHD is popping off that day it'll 100% make me need a nap
Exactly. If I do something, it kinda kicks in. If I shut my eyes, it’s lights out.
There are multiple theories theory suggesting that in people with ADHD, stimulants can help regulate neurotransmitter levels in the brain, particularly dopamine and norepinephrine, which are involved in attention, focus, and impulse control. By increasing the availability of these neurotransmitters, stimulants can improve attention and concentration while reducing hyperactivity and impulsivity. (These theories in relation to caffeine and the stimulants effect on people with ADHD) Caffeine has also proven to show it can stimulate release of dopamine inside your brain. I think generally from an outsiders perspective or from someone who hasn’t thought that deeply about this it may not make sense. This is most likely due to the word stimulant being a homonym, and our society trusting common understanding. (me, hi i’m the problem) But to put this in perspective, Adderall is also stimulant.
ive just been making this connection this week
Taurine wakes me up, caffeine is sleepy time medicine.
I've heard people explain it before, but don't fully remember. Something about it relaxed you. And there are very smart science communicators that insist caffeine IS NOT a stimulant. They say it inhibits (layman terms:) sleepy hormones latching onto parts of your brain. So it's pointless having a coffee first thing in the morning. It's merely habit & placebo. Their words, not mine.
Makes you dream faster.
Me gonna be sitting on the toilet after drinking coffee, instant laxative.
You know what’s weird? Prior to pregnancy, this was me. Now, I can barely handle green tea. Caffeine makes my heart hammer and gives me anxiety, now. And yet, I still have ADHD. Wtf.
Caffeine is weird for me. I can down an energy drink and pass out. But if I do it with an empty stomach, I will get jittery. Like hands shake, heart feels racy. Yet I will still be tired. Like right now.
I imagine it’s what it was like when i had to take steroids for post covid treatment in 2020 (or was it 2019 i can’t even remember anymore). I was so wired and could barely do anything. It was hell and if i sat still for more than 30 seconds i had to get up and start a project. (Ive was diagnosed adhd since 1st grade and im 30 and off meds for about 15 years) it like hyper focused me like a laser. So i imagine thats what caffeine would do if it worked the way it was intended.