Everything You Need To Know About Caffeine Addiction
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Everything You Need To Know About Caffeine Addiction

For those of us who should come with "just add coffee" instructions.

202
Everything You Need To Know About Caffeine Addiction
dietsciencenews.com

If you've clicked on this article, you're probably a coffee drinker.


You wake up, hit that snooze button once or twice (or more but who's counting right? Right?), stumble out of bed, and immediately make your way to a source of caffeine. For me it's a Keurig. Standing in my pajamas, waiting impatiently for the the "heating" light, and going into a near rage when the "add water" light comes on in the middle of brewing. For others, it's the first stop on your morning walk or drive. The whipped, iced, chocolated monstrosities created at Starbucks are delicious, but a real addict knows our time (and money) will be saved with a strong cup of black. Or maybe your choice of poison is an energy drink. The shiny colorful cans are pretty and bold and with the added sugar and bubbles you can almost feel that energy they're promising. No matter how you get it, one thing is clear; caffeine has become a big part of our lives and jokes about caffeine addiction aren't jokes anymore. Here is what you need to know.

What is it?

First and foremost, caffeine is a chemical. Its molecule is pictured above. It's an organic substance that interacts with our body through a chemical reaction. Caffeine is a psychoactive drug,a substance that alters brain function to affect mood, perception, or conscientiousness. It's the world's most widely consumed drug in this class (but, like, be glad about this; the list also includes cocaine, heroin, and lots of other things to make your grandma clutch her pearls). It works in our bodies in a pretty simple way. There is a molecule our body produces naturally called adenosine. There are receptors in our nervous system that adenosine attach to. This sends a signal out that makes us drowsy, or apparently, based on when I don't have coffee, a monster sent from hell. What caffeine does is attach to those receptors before adenosine can get a chance and therefore blocks access. You can't park in a spot that already has a car in it (trust me I've tried). Here you can compare the similarities between the two substances;


How do we become addicted?

As anyone who drinks caffeine on a regular basis knows, it doesn't take long for that morning bump to go from an aid to a requirement. Dependencies form with as little as 100mg a day. Our body has all those adenosine receptors for a reason. With caffeine constantly blocking them, our body just grows more. Jerk. That's why the more caffeine you drink, the harder it is to feel it's effects. There are a lot more parking spaces to fill. This imbalance of receptors is also what makes withdrawal symptoms occur. The body doesn't make much more adenosine, and without filling those spots, a variety of unpleasant effects are felt. The list includes; headaches, muscle pain and stiffness, lethargy, nausea, vomiting, depressed mood, and marked irritability. If I could make that "marked irritability" flash neon I would. It's real guys... it's real.

Thankfully, as far as addictions go, this is one of the easiest to kick. It generally only takes a week without caffeine for symptoms to completely go away. Our bodies are great at self regulating, and when the caffeine flux stops, it starts going Rambo on those receptors until you're back to where you started.

So what does it take to get addicted?

As mentioned previously, it only takes 100mg of caffeine a day to from a dependence. The caffeine levels in different drinks might surprise you. Here is a list;

Starbucks grande black coffee- 330mg

Keurig cup- 75-150mg

Home brewed black tea- 30-80mg

Home brewed green tea- 35-60mg

Red Diamond Sweet Tea (we are in the South anyway!)- 45mg

Coca-Cola- 35mg

Red Bull- 80mg

Monster- 160mg

5 Hour Energy- 230mg

So it's easy to see how so many people get addicted. Just one cup of coffee a day, or two of almost any other drink, is enough to cause you body to rely on it. And what the heaven, Starbucks? Starbucks coffee has almost three times as much caffeine as most other brands of coffee... That's weird, what could they possibly gain from addicting the masses? If you're looking to cut back, drinking tea is a great option. Tea has caffeine levels comparable to soda, but with all those antioxidants and less added sugar, it's much healthier. I have found this to be a gentle way to curb your addiction. You can cut back without going cold turkey. Plus you look damn classy drinking it.

So there you have it. Everything you need you know about caffeine addiction. Will this help you? Hopefully. Have I followed my own advice? Ask me again after I finish my third cup of coffee for the day. One thing is for certain though; as bad as caffeine is, we probably wouldn't have made it this far without it.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

936490
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

113312
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lots of people sat on the cinema wearing 3D glasses
Pinterest

Ever wonder what your friend meant when they started babbling about you taking their stapler? Or how whenever you ask your friend for a favor they respond with "As You Wish?" Are you looking for new and creative ways to insult your friends?

Well, look no further. Here is a list of 70 of the most quotable movies of all time. Here you will find answers to your questions along with a multitude of other things such as; new insults for your friends, interesting characters, fantastic story lines, and of course quotes to log into your mind for future use.

Keep Reading...Show less
New Year Resolutions

It's 2024! You drank champagne, you wore funny glasses, and you watched the ball drop as you sang the night away with your best friends and family. What comes next you may ask? Sadly you will have to return to the real world full of work and school and paying bills. "Ah! But I have my New Year's Resolutions!"- you may say. But most of them are 100% complete cliches that you won't hold on to. Here is a list of those things you hear all around the world.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

The Ultimate Birthday: Unveiling the Perfect Day to Celebrate!

Let's be real, the day your birthday falls on could really make or break it.

79144
​different color birthday candles on a cake
Blacksburg Children's Museum

You heard it here first: birthdays in college are some of the best days of your four years. For one day annually, you get to forget about your identity as a stressed, broke, and overworked student, and take the time to celebrate. You can throw your responsibilities for a day, use your one skip in that class you hate, receive kind cards and gifts from loved ones and just enjoy yourself.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments