Coffee at night...

[The David]

Is it unusual to drink coffee at night to relax? I've started drinking it at all hours of the day as a stress release, and ever since I've learned that it doesn't keep me up, I've started drinking it right before going to bed. It seems to do nothing to me anymore. Maybe it's the whole 3 cups a day thing, but I seem to actually sleep less when I don't drink it.

[Minsc]

Originally Posted by The David

Maybe it's the whole 3 cups a day thing, but I seem to actually sleep less when I don't drink it.

I saw a one hour reduction in how long I slept when I cut all caffeine...

Anyway, I'm guessing you've adapted to the caffeine..
For me, the first day or two after I start having caffeine in my diet, I can't sleep at the right times, and I adapt after that.

Can't comment on the relaxing thing. Could be an addiction?

[Mags]

I've always had coffee at night before going to bed, and always found it relaxing. I was amazed the first time I heard someone mention that coffee (and caffeine in general) gave them a "buzz", since it always had the opposite effect for me. But maybe this was just my first experience of the LoA... no-one in my family mentioned adverse effects of caffeine, we just drank coffee like others drink hot milk (or whatever) before bed, so I assumed it was relaxing and got what I expected?!

I don't drink a lot of coffee though - only one cup in the morning with breakfast, and another at night.

[Andrew Brunelle]

Coffee has caffeine and you would think that for most people, it would keep them up all night, like it does for me, even if I drink it at 4 or 5 PM. I'm on herbal tea now and have been for over four years. Chamomile and pepperment teas put me to sleep much deeper and I am much more relaxed than I am with coffee. But if the coffee really works for you, then go with it.

[The David]

One of the reasons I'm wondering is because I'm considering stimulant medication, and if coffee just makes me groggy I'm not sure what a stronger stimulant would do.

[Lisa McGregor]

I'm like Mags. One cup in the morning. Maybe two at the most. And I love a cup of coffee and a book at my bedside at night. It's never occurred to me that coffee could keep me awake and maybe that's why it doesn't.
L

[WilliamT]

I don't know if there is just big biological differences among people or if your body adapts to whatever level of caffeine you consume.

In my case, I don't drink coffee and can't even eat chocolate after 2 or 3 pm or I will be awake all night! My son, on the other hand, drinks coffee and energy drinks and sleeps well.

-Will

[Jennihul]

Well, if you happen to be blood type A, coffee is a highly beneficial substance for you so maybe that would explain it.

My dad has that blood type and drinks coffee like water even into the evening and has absolutely no change in his mellow, benign personality. In fact, he can sleep like a baby despite what must be massive levels of caffeine in his system.

Jennifer

[legend]

ADD and ADHD kids are prescribed stimulants to slow them down and give them control.. I grew up ADD hyperactive on Ridalin a stimulant and to this day I can drink coffee, cafe con leche, cuban coffe or whatever and go right to sleep it actually has that relaxing effect... Maybe you are hyperactive

[Matthew Shea]

In my experience, drinking coffee at night and still being able to sleep very much depends on your individual physiology. My mom can drink regular coffee any time of the day or night and be able to sleep fine. I can't. I make it a rule to avoid caffeine after lunch. If I have regular coffee after dinner, I'll be up 'till 3 AM.