I am one that caffeine helps when I'm getting hit. It won't abort a high kip, but it does help me with the low level hits and shadows. It will help take the edge off a higher kip level. Sometimes that is all I have available, I chug it, and have a smoke and try to get outside in the cold air.

I'm sensitive to caffeine, and don't drink much as a rule. But when I'm shadowing, or starting to get hit, I crave diet coke, I drink it right down and it helps me. I drink more then usual when in high cycle.

I remember threads in the past, where someone was getting hit, or in high cycle, and it was suggested to have their arsenal in place, and one of those things was caffeine.

It is a well known fact that strong coffee helps as a vaso-constrictor and was widely suggested to use before the energy drinks came along. Coffee is still suggested.

My point being this... if caffeine helps someone, and if a newbie posts that pepsi helps to kill a hit, or shadows, then I'm glad it helped them. They may not know yet why it works, but we are here to help educate. If it has helped over the years, then great. Is it possible that their hits aren't at as high of a kip level than others? I believe someone said this already, but when something works, we think it will work, and it works. Mind over CH? Maybe.

Why do we continue to beat this dead horse?

We need to remember that we are all different, and respond differently to different forms of treatment.

Can we let this go now?

Another theory.

With soda pop I would suspect its not just the caffeine that helps a CH attack at all but the co2 infused in drink.

I recall some past reading suggesting a 3 fold increase of serotonin release, due to co2, occurs in the gut with rapid consumption of a 12 oz soda pop

When a can of soda is is downed enough co2 gas is released to fill 3 or more cans of soda and it is rapidly expanded in the person just the same. 
Further study would be needed but an internal adjustment of serotonin and its effect on the brains receptors most certainly occurs.

If a diet soda with artificial sweeteners (aspertame et al.) is rapidly consumed all kinds of neurotonic and neurotoxic effects can happen in a very very short time (minutes) and the carbon dioxide would be a potential accelerator.

Maybe this action is powerfull enough to knock down a hit for many.

Off topic...

MrsT wrote on Nov 23^rd, 2008 at 9:07pm:



Ok, this is very interesting to me.  I'm not in cycle, but have an anxiety/panic disorder that magically disappeared 6 months after I gave birth in Feb this year after I started taking a taurine supplement (850mg) every night before bed along with my regular regimen.  I guess I was kinda hoping to stave off my cycle by doing this, and never correlated the end of my anxiety with the taurine.

Quote:


Hi Rolo,

A member of my family has a doctorate in pharmacology. We have had many conversations re the numerous meds I have been on for ch. Always, we discuss the potential of the "placebo" effect. It is a well known and absolutely accepted fact in the science. I hesitate to quote a percentage (am sure it's available on line somewhere)... 40% rings a bell but I wouldn't swear to it.

That said, the physiological effects of caffeine are fairly well understood...and jibe nicely with what clusterheads need...vasoconstriction. Personally, I don't care "how" it works,
but I know it does. And yes, I love my e-tank(s) and opti mask. O2 has saved my sanity and allowed me a "nearly" normal life. Sometimes I need both, sometimes one OR the other works. Sometimes, one or the other is unavailable. I keep all the bullets on hand (zomig ns is my rescue of last resort).

Best,

Jon (26+ yrs and counting, and I WOULD try the dumbo dung...got poop?)

ROLO!

It's cool...no worries mate...

Best,

Jon

I find the use of O2 to abort, early on, is very effective.  Made moreso, if the hit is a moderate Kip with a sugar free energy drink.  I don't like cold drinks so my drinks are non-carbonated and room temperature.  I also use the energy drinks as a first line abortive when out and about on the trails (O2 is not all that convenient).  If the Kip is high, I use Imitrix injections.  But, the energy drinks have been quite effective and do not keep me awake, even in the middle of the night!  I am also a dedicated coffee drinker so it is not about the caffeine.  It is the combination of taurine and caffeine and early on that does the beast harm.  Of course, when in good health, the D3 regimen is the best for me as I don't get visits from the beast.  I am looking forward to a return to good health soon (just diagnosed with shingles last Thursday so my system is OFF)!

In addition to not liking carbonated beverages, the energy drinks seem to work for me as mentioned.  I also can inhale
them pretty quickly this way!