Millions of human beings wake up every day, unconsciously aware of their addiction to caffeine. But what exactly is caffeine? This is the Quiet Mouse Strikes Back. Welcome friends and fellow knowledge seekers, let's get started shall we.
I am here today to state emphatically that YES, I am an addict for caffeine. In particular I LOVE Dr. Pepper and Faygo (particularly the cream soda, moon mist, and grape flavors)!! Above I posed a question asking what exactly caffeine is... It is actually a naturally occurring stimulant called TRIMETHYLXANTHINE (YES, there is a reason that METH is in the name of this drug a.k.a. caffeine). It IS a drug, albeit legal one. From an early age, THIS is the REAL gateway drug and it actually shares traits with other notorious stimulant drugs such as amphetamines, cocaine, and heroin. Caffeine uses the SAME biochemical processes as these other drugs to stimulate brain function. So if you feel like your mind is racing after you drink your espresso or soda... you're probably right!
According to research, the coffee bean itself was discovered in Africa approximately 800 C.E. (that's common era for all you religious people that don't know the difference between the two. A.D. which means Anno Domini). For many hundreds of years caffeine has been used to give a "boost of energy" and/or feelings of heightened alertness. Many students in particular use caffeine as a way to stay up and cram for exams or complete long term projects. And many more people use this drug to stay awake while driving on the highway, with cup holders full of sodas, coffee, tea, and energy drinks helping them push on through to their final destinations.
Now you MUST REMEMBER that caffeine IS A DRUG! It CAN and DOES CAUSE ADDICTION similar to it's cousins, the more notorious "harder" drugs!
I know many people including family members that feel like they cannot start the day without a cup of coffee all the way up to half a pot or more, individually. Plus caffeine is a natural diuretic. For those that do not know, diuretics make you pee more. Enough said. Now caffeine addiction is generally much milder than it's cousins', however kicking the addiction can still be quite the pain in the ass for those who have integrated it as a critical part of their lives, like using it to wake up in the a.m.
Part of the problem with modern caffeine ingestion is the general addition of sugars, sweeteners, and high fructose corn syrup HFCS that lead to extra calories and often obesity, which generally negate any positive benefits that the caffeine may have given. And don't be fooled by the artificial sweeteners like ASPARTAME, which causes CANCERS. This is especially true for high calorie soda's and energy drinks. There are other forms of naturally occurring caffeine in tea, kola nuts (where they got the name for cola, as in Coca-cola), chocolate, and coffee beans.
Now the most common effect from caffeine on humans affects the ADRENAL GLANDS which of course releases ADRENALINE. For those who don't know, forgot from school or slept through it, or generally have their heads up their asses, adrenaline is the hormone that triggers the "fight or flight" response... Here are some symptoms of this response:
Your pupils dilate.
Airways open up.
Your heart beats much faster.
Blood pressure rises.
Blood flow to stomach decreases.
The liver releases sugar into the blood stream for extra energy.
Muscles tighten up, ready for action.
This certainly explains why after just one cup of coffee, your hands get cold, your muscles grow tense, you feel excited, and your heart beats faster.
Caffeine also affects the dopamine neurotransmitter as well. Dopamine activates the pleasure centers in our brain. With caffeine, the brains reaction and output of dopamine is similar to taking heroin or cocaine, the effect is much weaker, but the effect and action is the same. The output of this pleasure inducing dopamine, scientists believe, is the key to understanding the addiction. So you can see why your body would like the caffeine in short term doses, especially when you are low on sleep and need to function. Caffeine blocks the adenosine receptors (that make you sleepy) so you feel alert. It injects adrenaline into your system so you feel a boost. And it manipulates dopamine production that makes you feel good.
The problem arises afterwards when you have the eventual come-down from the drug which can lead to fatigue and depression. The biggest culprit of caffeine is the loss of sleep, plus it just isn't healthy for your heart to be jumping and high blood pressure all day long. The sleep deficit adds up fast too, as the next day you feel even MORE fatigued and in need of the caffeine. Don't you see where the addiction comes into play? You feel bad because you wore your body out on too much caffeine, but then you feel bad tomorrow and drink more caffeine to pick you back up. Vicious cycle because once you drink this drug, you have to keep taking it to put off the inevitable comedown. Trying to quit can leave you tired, depressed, and fighting headaches as the blood vessels in the brain dilate. These harsh side effects usually force the addict back onto the drug.
Not all that glitters is gold and caffeine isn't ALL bad (mostly). There are a very FEW health benefits... and I mean very FEW. But like MOST things in life, it isn't all bad in MODERATION. The main problem is that Americans in particular like to do just about EVERYTHING IN EXCESS. And all too often, much like cigarettes, people try to substitute a stimulant to replace their hunger. This only leads to over-eating and gorging later on after the comedown from the stimulant.
Furthermore I would highly encourage any parents from abstaining their children away from the highly addictive nature and subsequent perils attached to a caffeine addiction because this shit is the REAL gateway drug for kids. Hell, even my 6 year old knows that caffeine gets you high... have you seen kids running around like circus clowns on meth after they drank a Dr. Pepper or Coca-Cola? If you haven't... believe me, it's pretty funny and ridiculous.
Well that about wraps it up for me. This has been the one and ONLY Quiet Mouse.
Peace. Love. Family. Respect. Moderation.
I am here today to state emphatically that YES, I am an addict for caffeine. In particular I LOVE Dr. Pepper and Faygo (particularly the cream soda, moon mist, and grape flavors)!! Above I posed a question asking what exactly caffeine is... It is actually a naturally occurring stimulant called TRIMETHYLXANTHINE (YES, there is a reason that METH is in the name of this drug a.k.a. caffeine). It IS a drug, albeit legal one. From an early age, THIS is the REAL gateway drug and it actually shares traits with other notorious stimulant drugs such as amphetamines, cocaine, and heroin. Caffeine uses the SAME biochemical processes as these other drugs to stimulate brain function. So if you feel like your mind is racing after you drink your espresso or soda... you're probably right!
According to research, the coffee bean itself was discovered in Africa approximately 800 C.E. (that's common era for all you religious people that don't know the difference between the two. A.D. which means Anno Domini). For many hundreds of years caffeine has been used to give a "boost of energy" and/or feelings of heightened alertness. Many students in particular use caffeine as a way to stay up and cram for exams or complete long term projects. And many more people use this drug to stay awake while driving on the highway, with cup holders full of sodas, coffee, tea, and energy drinks helping them push on through to their final destinations.
Now you MUST REMEMBER that caffeine IS A DRUG! It CAN and DOES CAUSE ADDICTION similar to it's cousins, the more notorious "harder" drugs!
I know many people including family members that feel like they cannot start the day without a cup of coffee all the way up to half a pot or more, individually. Plus caffeine is a natural diuretic. For those that do not know, diuretics make you pee more. Enough said. Now caffeine addiction is generally much milder than it's cousins', however kicking the addiction can still be quite the pain in the ass for those who have integrated it as a critical part of their lives, like using it to wake up in the a.m.
Part of the problem with modern caffeine ingestion is the general addition of sugars, sweeteners, and high fructose corn syrup HFCS that lead to extra calories and often obesity, which generally negate any positive benefits that the caffeine may have given. And don't be fooled by the artificial sweeteners like ASPARTAME, which causes CANCERS. This is especially true for high calorie soda's and energy drinks. There are other forms of naturally occurring caffeine in tea, kola nuts (where they got the name for cola, as in Coca-cola), chocolate, and coffee beans.
Now the most common effect from caffeine on humans affects the ADRENAL GLANDS which of course releases ADRENALINE. For those who don't know, forgot from school or slept through it, or generally have their heads up their asses, adrenaline is the hormone that triggers the "fight or flight" response... Here are some symptoms of this response:
Your pupils dilate.
Airways open up.
Your heart beats much faster.
Blood pressure rises.
Blood flow to stomach decreases.
The liver releases sugar into the blood stream for extra energy.
Muscles tighten up, ready for action.
This certainly explains why after just one cup of coffee, your hands get cold, your muscles grow tense, you feel excited, and your heart beats faster.
Caffeine also affects the dopamine neurotransmitter as well. Dopamine activates the pleasure centers in our brain. With caffeine, the brains reaction and output of dopamine is similar to taking heroin or cocaine, the effect is much weaker, but the effect and action is the same. The output of this pleasure inducing dopamine, scientists believe, is the key to understanding the addiction. So you can see why your body would like the caffeine in short term doses, especially when you are low on sleep and need to function. Caffeine blocks the adenosine receptors (that make you sleepy) so you feel alert. It injects adrenaline into your system so you feel a boost. And it manipulates dopamine production that makes you feel good.
The problem arises afterwards when you have the eventual come-down from the drug which can lead to fatigue and depression. The biggest culprit of caffeine is the loss of sleep, plus it just isn't healthy for your heart to be jumping and high blood pressure all day long. The sleep deficit adds up fast too, as the next day you feel even MORE fatigued and in need of the caffeine. Don't you see where the addiction comes into play? You feel bad because you wore your body out on too much caffeine, but then you feel bad tomorrow and drink more caffeine to pick you back up. Vicious cycle because once you drink this drug, you have to keep taking it to put off the inevitable comedown. Trying to quit can leave you tired, depressed, and fighting headaches as the blood vessels in the brain dilate. These harsh side effects usually force the addict back onto the drug.
Not all that glitters is gold and caffeine isn't ALL bad (mostly). There are a very FEW health benefits... and I mean very FEW. But like MOST things in life, it isn't all bad in MODERATION. The main problem is that Americans in particular like to do just about EVERYTHING IN EXCESS. And all too often, much like cigarettes, people try to substitute a stimulant to replace their hunger. This only leads to over-eating and gorging later on after the comedown from the stimulant.
Furthermore I would highly encourage any parents from abstaining their children away from the highly addictive nature and subsequent perils attached to a caffeine addiction because this shit is the REAL gateway drug for kids. Hell, even my 6 year old knows that caffeine gets you high... have you seen kids running around like circus clowns on meth after they drank a Dr. Pepper or Coca-Cola? If you haven't... believe me, it's pretty funny and ridiculous.
Well that about wraps it up for me. This has been the one and ONLY Quiet Mouse.
Peace. Love. Family. Respect. Moderation.
im glad to cu blog about my fav beverage coffee. i am addicted very much so. im in school fulltime this semester so i dont usually get a decent night sleep anyway as it is. thanks very interesting though.
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