Why Some People Can't Handle Coffee - Sharp Science

While java love is widespread, some people can't handle the jittery effects of coffee. Why is it that some people can chug coffee like water while others can't have a single sip without feeling like their hearts are going to pop out of their chest? Dr. Marilyn Cornelis from Northwestern University explains the genetic reason behind this phenomena.

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[rozayy]

I feel like fainting, my body starts to shiver, and I want to throw up, and that's only 1 cup

[greengunner]

I thought I was just strange because nobody else were getting the effects I was with coffee, I get the shakes and I feel like getting a panic attack.

[darion]

Coffee makes me feel fine like the first 15 minutes then I get very anxious and moody. It just doesn't agree with me at all anymore.

[AP-ksdj]

I drank some Starbucks today and I feel horrible. I thought I was going to die just now lol. I feel nauseous, my head hurts, and I feel weak when I drink coffee but it taste so good.

[OtterverseGaming]

Coffee makes me feel sick and I get the runs

[hawaii]

I’m jealous of how most people say caffeine gives them energy and makes them productive. It just makes me a shaky mess for like 8 hours.

[alexr.]

It is so comforting to come here and read these comments. I thought I was losing my mind thinking I suddenly couldn’t handle caffeine anymore! You all helped restore my sanity lol!

[kailingreen]

It only takes 1 cup of coffee for me to start shaking, even though half that cup of coffee is almond milk 😂😭

[dreamedbreakfast]

The strange thing is I was drinking coffee like 2 cups per day in my high school years and I felt nothing，everything changed as I grew elder，don't remember when exactly but it was in my third year of university, since then every time I have coffee I feel bad, my stomach is like squeezing itself, my heart beats extra fast, I feel anxious and can't concentrate.

[everywhere]

One time I drank a cup of coffee with only almond milk. Next 4 hours my stomach ached like hell, next thing you know my body is shaking. My hands tremble and i get shortage of breaths.

[Astharia]

Since Coffee makes it harder for the body to rid itself from stress hormones I woudn't advise people to train themselves to drink it if they experince anxiety from it. If you can't get through the day without coffee you might have problems with your adrenals or are just addicted. (I drink it only occasionally)

[untamedVagabond]

I have always been the odd one out who couldn't handle coffee. Unable to sleep, severe anxiety and being jittery were common ..
After one time when I drank coffee and immediately hopped on my scooter for ride, Suddenly losing blood pressure in the middle of the road. Never had coffee after that. I love my Chai

[billyjames]

I use to drink coffee all the time. Now 2 cups I feel like it kicks my anxiety real bad now 🥺😭

[iamnode]

it's been 8 hours i have got my coffee and it's 10pm now
and i am watching this video with wide open eyes and my heart pumping up
with big smile on my face

[chrisduncan]

I periodically get coffee intolerance and I have to go a long time without drinking it. I get panic attack symptoms combined with a feeling of exhaustion and dizziness. After a long break I can drink it for a while until something kicks in and I start getting a bad reaction again. Green tea, black tea and even the occasional caffeinated soda are usually ok in small quantities.

[simply.patsy.]

Dude, I had a cup and I instantly got major anxiety and it ruined my day. I can’t handle coffee even though I love the way coffee smells and tastes. It still isn’t worth feeling like I’m dying 😢

[PepperstreetDev]

I went on a date once. I declined to have coffee so my date asked why and insisted I had one. So I said ok. 15 minutes later she understood and exclaimed "OMG, you have had a complete personality change!", I become very intense, chatting, aggressive, impatient, moody, short tempered, to name just a few side effects. Oh and the best part NO SLEEP.

[CRVE]

Whenever I drink coffee, I have to run to the bathroom within 5 minutes because I'm about to explode....
It's kinda unpleseant, because it's like you get instant diarrhea for every cup, so I can't go to a café with friends...

[raehenne]

I really love the smell of coffee but when I drink it, it maked me very anxious and I get headaches. It is sad 😭

[katrinabergmanmccolloch]

I am not able to metabolize caffeine very well and I spend many years misdiagnosed with bipolar because of caffeine allergy. I was on many meds and off and on in the psych ward until finally a doctor diagnosed me with caffeine allergy... so I stopped drinking caffeine and all of my bipolar symptoms went away within just a couple of weeks. That was 3 years ago and I haven't had any problems with symptoms of bipolar since. And yes I am medication free it was all the caffeine and it destroyed more than half of my life before finally finding out the real reason for my issues.