Published on 12, July, 2020
Had an interesting revelation today.
As an adult with Aspergers who is also determined to actually earn some money and be successful in business, I find myself constantly tinkering with and re-calibrating my diet for maximum energy and resources to use during the day. Generally speaking, like so many other autistic people, I find myself the most centred, peaceful, stable and consistent on a very low-carb diet, usually some variation on phase 1 Atkins. However, while living on a low-carb diet, I find my energy levels - already naturally pretty low and easily depleted - drop quite low by the end of the work day, and I begin to be very grumpy, anti-social and unpleasant etc as I approach aspergers burnout for that day.
A few years ago while reading up on Atkins, I discovered that black coffee was permissible, and so gave it a try. At first the taste was not what I was used to - but it grew on me, and now I love it. And more than that, I found that every time I drank it, I got this huge energy boost, I was able to tap resources I previously had not had access to (although, as always with Aspergers, they presented their bill later and I had to rest rest rest and recover). I soon discovered that, while the effects of the coffee lasted, I was able to act much closer to neurotypical, which in my line of work was very very helpful indeed. And coffee is addictive.
At the beginning of the past school year (Sept 2017) I began having a huge black coffee twice every day, and the effects were fascinating. It was as if the coffee was allowing me to stretch my limited resources like elastic, to stretch them and stretch them to the point that I could function for the whole work day as a neurotypical person. Of course, I would practically curl into the foetal position by the end of the day under the covers in a dark, silent, tidy room. But in all brutal honesty, it was so nice to experience what it is like to work a normal day without battling against the constant social awkwardness brought on by the low-energy slump that running out of resources as an Aspie causes.
The past 2-3 weeks I have been experiencing stabbing stomach pains, and after experimenting around with multiple different things, have discovered today that the coffee and constant amping-up of my body and mind with it to be the cause of the pain. I have used black coffee to stretch my inner resources and am now experiencing what it feels like to teeter on the very edge of that breaking point where my body starts waving a little while flag and saying 'no more or Im going to start to break'.
So today I didn't have my morning coffee, and I can feel the healing starting already, I am feeling much happier and relaxed, and am going to lay off it probably for the rest of the week.
However, I'm not going to lay off it completely. My experience has taught me that coffee, if treated like a mood-managing medication, can be incredibly helpful. If treated like a pleasurable indulgence it can be a little dangerous because it is so addictive, and the body can only take being driven into hyper-mode for so long. I expect going forward I will use black coffee as an on-the-spot treatment if I feel myself falling backwards into a low-energy slump at an inconvenient time. The rest of the time I'm going to lay off it to allow my body and mind to actually recover from the excursion into hyper-mode (something I have been neglecting to do recently).
Has anyone else had similar experiences with coffee?
Yes I drunk coffee at work until I have a shutdown
I can't tolerate caffeine sadly but this does make me wonder again whether some people with Aspergers might benefit from similar meds to those prescribed for people with ADHD. When I used to be able to drink coffee, everything seemed better.
Coffee makes me nervous, sweaty and I can't eat or sleep after drinking it. I like coffee cake, ice cream and sweets but they don't seem to have the same effect. Drinking coffee makes me have rampant ***. I avoid it like the plague!
The kidneys are Yin organs generally. I don't think that ASD would make a difference in qi balance. Diet and mood would. In Ch'ang Ming all stimulant drinks are generally to be avoided, tea, coffee, matè, generally the caffeine containing ones especially. Teas like sorrell, ginger, lemongrass and my favourite, limeflower are all more in line with Yin.
Foods to increase Yin are things that are "water" element related. Blueberries, blackberries, black bean. Dark vegetables too kale, spinach, broccoli and "water" element vegetables like celery, seaweed, samphire or cucumber. Salty foods in moderation are also good for Yin but never with rock, table or kosher salt. Sea salt is Yin. Nuts and seeds are Yin too. Seafood is Yin but only consumed in moderation.
Staying hydrated is also a major part of Yin energy. Fruits like melon and pear are Yin because of the water content. Too much fruit can free the bowel which can be counterproductive because of water loss.
Basically if you want to put more Yin balance into your diet think of foods with a colour that is water-like. Foods with high water content and foods that come from water habitats.
Hi Jimi, very interesting post.
I use coffee in the same way although if I have one after 12 noon it will, more likely than not, keep me awake all night.
But I love it for the effects of making me feel fearless, normal, loving, affectionate, attentive, energetic and engaged in the world way beyond what is 'normal' for me. Most importantly it overides the sense of hopelessness and dispair that seems to occupy my mind; things become possible, as if I can see a positive outcome to my actions.
But it does play havoc with my bowels. For a while I alternated between coffee and Rosemont Yerba Mate mixed with Catuaba and Muira Puama to sooth my nervous system and countact the strain of my nervouse system, but even that can get too much.
I sometimes wander if ASD is associated with weak Kidney Yin in chinese medicine (if there's anyone out there that might know?).
I only drink hot water (and an occasional cup of tea), however, I do enjoy a good coffee made into a cappuccino and because I’m particular about what I put into my body, I go to great lengths to learn all about coffee. I’ve started a course on coffee, which is fascinating and the course on latte art was great fun, I also got a job in a coffee shop so I can practice my latte art and coffee making skills (although I’m no longer working at the coffee shop at this present time) and it’s opened up a whole new world for me. From learning about the nutrients in the soil which effect the quality and grade of coffee, to the world latte art championships, it’s amazing and I’ve met some truly inspiring people so far from my interest in coffee. And I’ve now got a skill I can use anywhere in the world, should I need to find work. I’m not only great at making coffee, I can tell people all about it and put a smile on their face with my art work :-)
A whole discussion about coffee!
For me coffee is a safe option. I am very fussy about tea.
I will only drink brands of tea that I like the taste of and I can't stand decaffeinated tea. So I will only drink tea that I like.
But when it comes to coffee, any brand, decaffeinated or not is drinkable. So when people offer me tea or coffee?. I always choose coffee because I know I can drink it.
Coffee is my social drink of choice. Anything up to 5 cups a day is ok.
I once drank so much filter coffee in one day while I was revising for my final exams at university that I thought the room was beginning to spin. Fortunately a flatmate told me to go to bed and sleep it off.
I normally drink non stop cups of tea, to much in reality,
Today however I am on coffee to keep me awake as sitting around for eight hours so far needs something to keep me going.It is very quite here this time of the morning.?
If I drink strong filter coffee it makes my heart pound so rarely drink it in any quantity, maybe on a weekend, Sunday at a well known supermarket with a breakfast fry up. Super healthy,,,,,,NOT!
I do however have phases of switching from tea to filter coffee, not to strong though,
also I switch to earl grey,but added to normal tea as a taste enhancement,
Coffee makes me hyper. Can’t do it.
Thanks
I must I must have it as an actual book and most of my books are currently stored away. I think it’s called the luck factor, by Richard Wiseman. If I find out for definite I’ll let you know. It’s a good book.
I’ll look in my kindle now and yes, practice makes perfect.
What's the book? I know the golfer, Gary player, used to say that the harder he practiced the luckier he got
It certainly does (sort of) and yes, we make our own luck. There’s a guy who’s wrote a book on it, it’s really interesting and revealing. It has a quiz to show you how ‘lucky’ you are and how you can improve your luck. It’s very scientific exact. I must read that book again some time!
I think I was also just lucky - everyone needs a bit of luck at times - although I suspect that we will agree that you can make your own luck - it comes back to believing in something enough.
Thanks Taltunes. I had my assessment at my house and my friend (who’s autistic) was there with me and even she said, I couldn’t have been more honest. Anyway, fingers crossed, for you as well.
Good luck. I understand there is quite a high success rate at appeal even if you have to go to a tribunal to get a fair hearing. Don't give up - that is what they want you to do.
i am not quite sure how I managed it - lateral thinking? And brutal honesty - but I was awarded it without even a face to face assessment.
i am also planning to have another look at the mobility part of my claim because I might have a chance of getting mobility as well in light of recent tribunal decisions and the government's decision not to contest them.
The normal stuff is what I have in the house and it’s just perfect for me. I like the mild taste and it gives me just enough energy that I need. Well done on getting PIP, I’m about to put my mandatory reconsideration letter in.
My only income is (the care component of) PIP so I have to make do with the normal stuff which is fine - it's something to keep me hydrated and sometimes to keep my fingers occupied or help me relax depending on my mood.