Do you get the jitters when you drink caffeine? Not everyone does, but if it happens to you, you might wondering why. First off, some kinds of caffeine are more likely to give you the jitters than others. This is partially related to caffeine tolerance, and partially related to what kind of caffeine you are consuming.

Why Do You Get Caffeine Jitters?

Science is an incredible thing, isn't it? Plants are in fact, also incredible. But because of science, we have this ever increasing body of knowledge that can break down exactly what is in a plant, how it works, and its effects on our body. So if you're wondering why caffeine gives you the jitters, science has answers.

Caffeine stimulates your nervous system, giving you a boost of energy and alertness, and hormones like adrenaline. Too much of this stimulant can lead to to symptoms like rapid heart rate, restlessness and shakiness.

How To Avoid Caffeine Jitters

If you find you are having undesirable effects drinking too much caffeine and want to calm those jitters, here's a couple things to try.

1) Scale it back, aiming for 1 caffeinated cup a day, then switching to something decaf or caffeine-free.

2) Choose beverages higher in theanine. Swap out coffee and black tea for green, oolong, or white tea.

Coffee and caffeinated teas both contain caffeine, but tea also contains a compound called theanine, which coffee does not.

Theanine is an amino acid that acts on the body to increase happy hormone levels such as seretonin, dopamine, and GABA, and may help suppress anxiety.

That calming-yet-alert stage some people get from tea is attributed to the combination of caffeine plus theanine, which smooths out the jittery effects of caffeine.

Black, green and oolong teas all contain theanine, but green and oolong tea contains it at higher, more concentrated levels. Not a fan of green tea? Try these tips to enjoy your green tea.

Everyone is different, so not everyone responds in the same way. That's why some people can drink 4 cups of coffee and feel great, while others can feel the effects of a tiny amount of caffeine. That being said, if you are sensitive, you might even get the jitters from teas high in theanine.

If that's you, or if you simply need a break, why not ditch the caffeine entirely. After all, there's a whole wide world of caffeine-free herbal teas out there.

Please note: the content provided is not health advice. Information accessed on this website are opinions and not statements of fact. Plants are potent and can have medicinal effects and impacts not stated herein. Consult with your doctor before making any changes, especially if you have a health condition, are pregnant, or are taking medication.