Posted by IsoM on January 27, 2002, at 19:26:39
In reply to Stimulants and coffee, posted by Alex J on January 27, 2002, at 15:29:30
Alex, CindyLou, & MB, as you've discussed, it's hard to separate what may be causing these effects. I don't recommend caffeine tablets (Wake-Up pills) for regular use, but it's one way to find out whether it's a low blood sugar thing or the caffeine.
Caffeine tends to cause a release in insulin which then draws sugar from the blood for storage as glycogen - lowering your blood sugar level quickly. That can cause tiredness, flip-flop moods, & nausea & a number of other very uncomfortable feelings. Most people when they grab a coffee in the afternoon either add sugar to it, or grab a sweet roll or pastry. This combo causes a rapid rise, then drop in blood sugar.
If you'd like to check which it is, you can take a couple of Wake-Up pills (probably better to do it at home on the weekend when you don't have to perform at work), wait 15 minutes for it to get into your system, then eat a high protein-low carbohydrate snack (a piece of cheese, some cooked meat or fish) & wait to see the results. Your blood sugar won't plummet & then you can see what sort of effect caffeine has on you.
Valerian root (as a sleep aid) makes me jittery & very awake while paradoxically, I can take 2 Wake-Up pills & go right to sleep.
poster:IsoM
thread:91769
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020124/msgs/91807.html