Unravelling the Physiology
It is not uncommon for many people to experience an increase in tremors and shakiness after drinking a cup of coffee. Though most people would likely attribute this to the caffeine content found in coffee, such an assumption wouldn’t be entirely accurate. In fact, it is rather complicated to explain why one’s hands shake and tremble after drinking coffee.
Nutritional biochemist Dr Ranjit Kanchamolu suggests that there is more scientific significance to the shakes that are apparent after drinking coffee; “Coffee stimulates the nervous system with its naturally occurring methylxanthines – caffeine, theobromine and theophylline.” These stimulants, according to Dr. Kanchamolu, “activate and increase the production of epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (noradrenaline) hormone, which are vital for alert body functions and increased awareness, but can have a “tremor-provoking” effect on your muscles.” Therefore, it can be concluded that such reactions are to be expected as one’s body is adapting to the hormone surge caused by the stimulants.
“Caffeine increases your metabolism,” adds nutritionist Damali Keyes-Halot, “thus producing energy quicker than usual. Therefore, the caffeine is not solely accountable for the shakes, but more of a cause-and-effect of a process that involves your metabolism as well.” In conclusion, it is safer to say that coffee initiates a hormonal chain-reaction, which in turn applies an effect on one’s physiology.
Psychosomatic Effects
What is interesting is the fact that many people are likely to experience these effects only when drinking coffee. Studies conducted by behavioural psychologists (Nabors, 2012) have revealed that this is due to a psychological effect known as ‘psychosomatic’, which basically means that the experience or a particular behaviour is triggered by a mental state caused by environmental stimuli.
As such, when one believes or is influenced that coffee consumption affects one in such a way, then he/she will begin to experience its effects in the form of shakes and tremors. Psychological evidences point to such physical reactions as mere manifestations of a person’s mental state, which in this case, happens to be caused by the consumption of coffee.
Clinical psychologist Dr Khona Sibanda argues that “being aware of how our mind and body are connected is valuable knowledge, in that it helps us become more aware of how our mental health can bear an influence on our physical body.” Therefore, it is interesting to see how one’s psychology helps shape one’s actual physical reactions to everyday experiences, such as drinking coffee.
Genetic Predispositions
Another factor that influences one’s body reactions to coffee is genetics. Geneticists have pointed out that individuals are exposed to different neural receptors and may also have a genetic predisposition toward developing an addiction to caffeine. Such people may, as a result, be particularly sensitive to the effects of coffee and may develop shakiness and tremors as a result.
Britton (2016) has argued that “each person reacts differently to stimulants based on their genetic make-up,” and therefore, depending on the genetic disposition of an individual, the consumption of coffee can cause more intense reactions.
In addition, the body’s response to coffee may change over time. Due to the fact that it is a stimulating beverage, one may become more tolerant to its effects and would therefore require one to consume more coffee until the body reaches a state of equilibrium in order to experience its “buzz.” This may, in fact, increase the body’s reaction to such beverages, as it yet has to develop utmost tolerance to its effects.
Personal Experiences
In my experience, I have found that the shakes an individual experiences after drinking coffee is based not solely on physiological and mental factors, but environmental factors as well. For instance, when I was younger, I found no correlation between my shakes and coffee, which only made me question why I would experience such physical reactions.
I would argue that my body eventually developed an awareness that drinking coffee would result in such difficulty, which caused me to shudder at the thought of it. Therefore, I believe that the environment, along with the mental and physiological factors, plays a major role in the intensity of such physical reactions.
Cognitive Adaptations
Subsequent to the discussion of mental and genetic physiological effects, it is important to recognize that one may struggle to “adapt” to coffee intake. As mentioned earlier, coffee consuming increases the levels of hormones released in one’s body, which in turn, affect one’s cognitive and perceptual performance. As a result of this, many experts recommend that one should limit coffee intake, depending on the individual’s tolerance levels.
Furthermore, coffee-lovers may soon find it increasingly harder to lose or maintain a steady amount weight due to its effects on one’s metabolism. As Sibanda (2016) has attested, “once your body has adapted to such physiologic changes, it may take a while to reset and reduce your coffee intake to an amount where the physiological effects can dissipate on the body.”
Echoing Dr. Kanchamolu’s earlier assertions, Sibanda suggests that one should “only consume coffee if necessary and be aware of the potential physiological effects it may have on your body.” This enables one to control the intensity of the effects it might have on the body and aid in maintaining healthy coffee intake.
The Correlation With Alcohol
We have established that coffee triggers physiological reactions through its stimulants and that is associated with mental and environmental stimuli. However, it is also worth noting the effects coffee and alcohol without fail, have on the human body.
Alcohol, though a depressant, has an effect similar to coffee in that it triggers a hormone surge in the body as well, which in turn can cause a spike in one’s tolerance level, making one vulnerable to physical reactions, such as the shakes and tremors.
Dr Ranjit Kanchamolu has pinpointed that “alcohol and caffeine create a similar effect on the neurological system, soon after consuming them. This is because alcohol and caffeine both lead to production of adrenaline, making you feel alert and ups your blood pressure, heart rate and respiration.”
The figures (Harootyam and Jain, 2017) seem to suggest that there is a higher chance for an individuals tremors to be exacerbated by the combination of alcohol and coffee and it is better for people who experience such effects to avoid the combination in order to reduce the intensity of their shakes.
Sensory Adaptations
In addition to cognitive adaptations, one must also take into consideration the sensory adaptations associated with coffee. It is no secret that people are likely to experience an added level of sensitivity after drinking coffee. This usually involves a heightened sensory experience, as the nerve endings become more sensitive as a result of the high dosage of caffeine in the beverage. This has direct effect of one’s body, as its tremors are more apparent due to such heightened levels of sensitivity.
Nutritional biochemist Dr Daniel Saxman has argued that “consuming high doses of caffeine can make you feel jittery and cause tremors if you don’t have enough sleep or if you’re especially sensitive to its effects.” Therefore, “we must always recognize to stop and look at how our body is responding to the beverage intake,” Saxman reminds us.
What is important to remember is that the consumption of too much coffee might result in an array of side-effects, such as tremors. Therefore, caffeine consumption should be done with care and caution, as to not disrupt one’s physical, mental and sensory health.
