Let’s be real: the world runs on caffeine. There are many reasons why that’s true, none of which I want to get into, though. That’s a narrative for someone else’s blog. The point I’m trying to make goes no further than the fact that we love caffeine. And there’s nothing wrong with that. I started drinking caffeine-laced drinks in college. Mostly coffee and tea, but occasionally an energy drink—although I think this behavior stemmed more from societal construct than my need for the extra energy. I also think it had something to do with nervous/anxious energy. Taking a swig of something is also something I’ll do when I don’t know what to do with my hands, like on a Zoom call or when there’s an awkward pause at dinner. Is it just me? Nevertheless, I kept drinking, but never in excess. I’d say my consumption was typical of any other 20-something.
Well, that changed.
Caffeine and OCD: How it Impacts My Symptoms
I can’t put my finger on exactly why my caffeine consumption went from relatively normal to excessive. Still, thinking back, it’s likely safe to say it had something to do with my entrance into the real world. While it’s not uncommon for one’s caffeine consumption to increase when they get their first full-time job, I think what made my situation different was that everything that came with my new gig instantly bumped my OCD up a notch. More stress? Yep. Less sleep? Yep. Less time to spend with friends and family? You bet. At the end of the day (figuratively speaking), I was exhausted. I was depressed. I knew I wasn’t functioning at 100%. Caffeine was not only my way to power through the newest chapter of my life, but it was a way to make me feel better.
The excessive caffeine consumption was no doubt a way for me to avoid my OCD and anxiety, which continued for a few years. It wasn’t until a few months into my time doing exposure response therapy that I started to break down my life with the goal to see if there was something in my control that was affecting my OCD.
I looked at my sleep schedule and my exercise habits. I dove into my professional and personal life. Was there more stress than usual at work? Was I isolating myself from my support system? Was I drinking more caffeine? At the end of each day, I’d “rate” my OCD. Then, when I’d meet with Dr. Wadsworth, we’d look for patterns. After a month, it was clear that the severity of my OCD was tied, at least somewhat, to my caffeine consumption.
So, I did the logical thing: I stopped drinking it. Not all at once, but over a few weeks. By no means did I feel like I was addicted to caffeine. Like I said before, I think my consumption of it had a lot to do with anxious/nervous energy. That said, I believe that caffeine, specifically in coffee, impacted my professional career. As a creative person whose job is to tell stories, I’d be lying if I said that coffee didn’t get the wheels in my brain spinning. There’s no doubt in my mind that I was more alert and more creative when I had caffeine in my system. There’s plenty of science to back that up. However, as someone with OCD and anxiety, I knew it was in my best interest to cut caffeine. So I did.
The problem, though, was that my energy declined. I was still working the same hours, and I still had my mental health struggles weighing me down. On top of that, I saw a noticeable dip in my creativity. I didn’t lose the ability to do my job, per se, but something that would typically take me a half-hour now took me an hour. Or maybe the title of my blog post wasn’t as catchy. I didn’t have the same level of creative charisma flowing, but that was ok. I made this decision in the best interest of my well-being and I don’t regret that.
That said, as someone who relied on the mysterious powers of caffeine to not only function but also to excel at my job, I sought an alternative. However, finding that alternative has been a struggle. At first, I tried tea (I’m a long-time tea drinker). I stuck to green tea, which meant about 30-50 mg per 8-oz serving. That’s a move in the right direction, and honestly, I think I could have stopped there. I felt noticeably better, but this was an experiment. So, I kept going—and didn’t stop until I found mushroom coffee, specifically MUD/WTR. It was perfect. (According to its website, MUD/WTR contains 1/7th the caffeine of coffee and gives drinkers the natural energy, focus, and more without the jitters and crashes.) This was the coffee alternative I’d been looking for, and I’ve been drinking it ever since.
Note: I am in no way, shape, or form affiliated with MUD/WTR, nor am I receiving any compensation for saying this. I am simply trying to help others who are struggling to find an alternative to coffee to, well, find an alternative. Nothing more. Nothing less.
Update: Rethinking the Caffeine-OCD Relationship
I’ve always thought caffeine had a negative effect on OCD. Turns out that’s not the case. Recent studies show that the right amount of caffeine can actually reduce the severity of the symptoms of OCD and serve as an auxiliary treatment for OCD. Who knew? Studies seem to indicate that consuming less than 300 mg of caffeine can benefit OCD-related symptoms. If you’re wondering how much coffee that is, it’s about 3 cups (8 oz). Since reintroducing caffeine into my diet, I’ve definitely noticed improvements in my overall symptoms.
Coffee Alternative: Mushroom Coffee
Despite studies pointing to the fact that caffeine is ok for people with OCD, it’s still hit and miss. I react negatively to plenty of “healthy” and “acceptable” foods that others with OCD have no problem with, namely some adaptogens. (Yes, mushroom coffee’s popularity is largely due to the fact that it has adaptogens. For some reason, it doesn’t bother me.)
So, if caffeine doesn’t jive with you, you may be looking for an alternative. Have you considered mushroom coffee?
What’s Mushroom Coffee?
Mushroom coffee is a coffee alternative that comes from, well, mushrooms. Mushroom coffee blends dry mushrooms (extracting their beneficial ingredients) with coffee grounds. Common mushrooms used are Reishi, Chaga, Lion’s mane, and Cordyceps. In addition to its health benefits, mushroom coffee has far less caffeine than traditional coffee.
Does Mushroom Coffee Taste Like Mushrooms?
No. Mushroom coffee doesn’t taste like mushrooms or anything close. It’s earthy. If you mix in some of your favorite creamer, you’ll have no idea you’re drinking ground-up mushrooms. I promise.
Benefits of Mushroom Coffee
Aside from providing you with an energy-boosting alternative to coffee, mushroom coffee has many health benefits (according to several studies):
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Immune Support
A 2019 study found that the medicinal mushroom Trametes, aka Turkey Tail and its fermented substrate show immune-activating properties.
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Cancer Prevention
Lion’s mane, Reishi, Turkey’s tail, Chaga, and Cordyceps, all commonly found in mushroom coffee have been found to help people with cancer fight nausea and vomiting.
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Fights Ulcers
A 2019 study found that Chaga medicinal mushrooms (Inonotus obliquus) had effective antiulcer activity.
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Heart Disease
Reishi extracts may lower blood cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of heart disease.
Note: To my understanding, these studies were all conducted on animals and aren’t specific to mushroom coffees. The thinking is that the medicinal properties of mushrooms shown in other environments may extend to humans.