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Author Topic:   Addiction to caffeine, is it really bad?
teen4christ
Member (Idle past 5799 days)
Posts: 238
Joined: 01-15-2008


Message 1 of 15 (460972)
03-20-2008 6:48 PM


Last week was our spring break. The week before that I had four exams. This week I've had two exams and I have another one tomorrow. I've been drinking coffe and tea with caffeine to get by. I've had all A's so far, including the universally dreaded organic chemistry and formal logic classes. But the price I paid for them is I've found myself growing increasingly dependent on caffeine.
I know there's a lot of oldies around here, some of which have gone through years of education to get to this point in your lives. Is addiction to caffeine bad? Should I continue to use it or should I try to stop now?

Replies to this message:
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 Message 4 by Silent H, posted 03-21-2008 1:37 PM teen4christ has replied
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Shtop
Junior Member (Idle past 2326 days)
Posts: 30
Joined: 07-19-2007


Message 2 of 15 (460974)
03-20-2008 6:58 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by teen4christ
03-20-2008 6:48 PM


Don't quit in the middle of your exams, it's bound to have a negative impact. But when things calm down for you, try to cut down. It's never good to be dependant on any substance. All things in moderation.
Congrats on your A's btw, keep it up!

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AZPaul3
Member
Posts: 8513
From: Phoenix
Joined: 11-06-2006
Member Rating: 5.3


Message 3 of 15 (460981)
03-20-2008 7:26 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by teen4christ
03-20-2008 6:48 PM


Stop! Now! This stuff is dangerous! It leads to soft drinks, which leads to hard drinks which leads to cocaine which leads to atheism which leads to hell!
If you are that young then you probably will not have any problem with caffeine for quite some time.
In an epicurean kind of way, you may not want to start because eventually, when you get really, really old and decrepit and your heart needs to relax more often your doctor is going to force you to stop. Withdrawal can be quite pronounced and painful. You will become irritable and contrarian, your mind will wonder at inopportune times and you will grow hair in your ears. But then at that age this just happens naturally anyway so more of the same will not really be noticeable.
Seriously, if you are normal and healthy, no congenital heart issues, etc., and your personality can handle the mild addiction with moderation then you should be fine.
Having been caffeine dependant most all my life (still am) the only down side I find is the expense of Blue Mountain or Arabian Mocha Sanani. Like wine, you can lose yourself in the mystique of the brew.
But, having said all that, do not set out to become a caffeine slave. There is not intrinsic need nor benefit to being addicted to anything except maybe water or air or Haagen-Daz Chocolate Ice Cream.
If you do find that you have become a slave to that noxious heathen-devil drug of modern industrial society we call caffeine . don’t worry about it.

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Silent H
Member (Idle past 5820 days)
Posts: 7405
From: satellite of love
Joined: 12-11-2002


Message 4 of 15 (461039)
03-21-2008 1:37 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by teen4christ
03-20-2008 6:48 PM


Ah sweet nectar of the gods! I also used that substance to make it through late night college study sessions (including Organic Chem and Logic by the way... all A's as well, must be the caffeine).
Anyway, I take your question seriously as I went on to a serious caffeine addiction. Coming down was bad enough, but trying to go "clean" meant days of horrible headaches, body aches, and a generally surly disposition.
Eventually I set up a pattern of dry periods followed by mild "binge" periods, when I needed the boost. That was okay I guess but never really satisfying. Now what I have done is set up a very steady caffeine limit. This seems to be the best system as I can enjoy daily doses of it, yet if I were to break away the withdrawals aren't so powerful. The drawback being that each day is not as delicious and productive as it could be with a full tank of C.
This is similar to a diet, which in reality is exactly what it is. Alas, the greeks discovered this secret long ago. Everything in moderation. I'd suggest weening yourself off C for a bit (after exams of course), get past the withdrawals, then lightly introduce it to find your personal limit of enjoyment without over indulgence.
It should be noted that C has been linked to health problems as one ages, like high blood pressure and diabetes, so moderation or elimination is the best bet for the long haul. My guess is you are young enough not to have to worry about that. Wait till your metabolism changes in your 30s, then take that threat a bit more seriously.

h
"Civilized men are more discourteous than savages because they know they can be impolite without having their skulls split, as a general thing." - Robert E. Howard

This message is a reply to:
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Replies to this message:
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teen4christ
Member (Idle past 5799 days)
Posts: 238
Joined: 01-15-2008


Message 5 of 15 (461051)
03-21-2008 4:11 PM
Reply to: Message 4 by Silent H
03-21-2008 1:37 PM


By the way, anyone here know if there's any link between caffeine and physical performance? I've noticed that I've been doing a lot better during workout than before (I workout everyday). It's either the caffeine has turned me into a superhuman or I've unintentionally gained some extra muscle mass.

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AZPaul3
Member
Posts: 8513
From: Phoenix
Joined: 11-06-2006
Member Rating: 5.3


Message 6 of 15 (461054)
03-21-2008 4:41 PM
Reply to: Message 5 by teen4christ
03-21-2008 4:11 PM


It's either the caffeine has turned me into a superhuman or I've unintentionally gained some extra muscle mass.
From Wiki on Caffeine
quote:
Like alcohol, nicotine, and antidepressants, caffeine readily crosses the blood brain barrier. Once in the brain, the principal mode of action of caffeine is as an antagonist of adenosine receptors found in the brain.[39] The caffeine molecule is structurally similar to adenosine, and binds to adenosine receptors on the surface of cells without activating them (an "antagonist" mechanism of action). Therefore, caffeine acts as a competitive inhibitor. The reduction in adenosine activity results in increased activity of the neurotransmitter dopamine, largely accounting for the stimulatory effects of caffeine. Caffeine can also increase levels of epinephrine/adrenaline,[40] possibly via a different mechanism. Acute usage of caffeine also increases levels of serotonin, causing positive changes in mood.[41]
It's the adrenaline rush.
Either that or you are becoming superhuman.
I'd bet on the former.
abe: Keep in mind that working out "under the influence" may cause you to work out harder and longer so the muscle mass theory is still a probable.
Edited by AZPaul3, : 'cause.

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Dr Jack
Member
Posts: 3514
From: Immigrant in the land of Deutsch
Joined: 07-14-2003
Member Rating: 8.7


Message 7 of 15 (461106)
03-22-2008 8:42 AM
Reply to: Message 1 by teen4christ
03-20-2008 6:48 PM


Caffeine reduces your ability to solve complex tasks, and form memories. It is also likely to damage your sleep patterns. Being soaked in the stuff is unlikely to benefit you.
I drink three cups of real coffee every morning

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Granny Magda
Member
Posts: 2462
From: UK
Joined: 11-12-2007
Member Rating: 4.0


Message 8 of 15 (461191)
03-23-2008 7:41 AM
Reply to: Message 1 by teen4christ
03-20-2008 6:48 PM


Iii drrrinkk ffiive orr sixxx cupppds ooof coffoeee a dayy annd ittt hassn'tt dddoone mme anny hharmmm.
Seriously, well done on those results T4C, keep 'em coming!

Mutate and Survive

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teen4christ
Member (Idle past 5799 days)
Posts: 238
Joined: 01-15-2008


Message 9 of 15 (461503)
03-25-2008 9:30 PM


Withdrawal is no fun! I've been having to slap myself in class to keep myself awake.

  
Minnemooseus
Member
Posts: 3941
From: Duluth, Minnesota, U.S. (West end of Lake Superior)
Joined: 11-11-2001
Member Rating: 10.0


Message 10 of 15 (461505)
03-25-2008 9:42 PM


"Too Much Coffee Man" links

  
AZPaul3
Member
Posts: 8513
From: Phoenix
Joined: 11-06-2006
Member Rating: 5.3


Message 11 of 15 (461604)
03-26-2008 3:48 PM


No Decaf, Please
The real straight and skinny on Coffee.

Replies to this message:
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 Message 13 by Minnemooseus, posted 03-26-2008 7:36 PM AZPaul3 has replied

  
bluescat48
Member (Idle past 4190 days)
Posts: 2347
From: United States
Joined: 10-06-2007


Message 12 of 15 (461613)
03-26-2008 5:24 PM
Reply to: Message 11 by AZPaul3
03-26-2008 3:48 PM


Re: No Decaf, Please
Ha! Ha! ha!
very funny article or maybe I should say sarcastic. Pure satire. Love It!!!!!!!!!!

There is no better love between 2 people than mutual respect for each other

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Minnemooseus
Member
Posts: 3941
From: Duluth, Minnesota, U.S. (West end of Lake Superior)
Joined: 11-11-2001
Member Rating: 10.0


Message 13 of 15 (461638)
03-26-2008 7:36 PM
Reply to: Message 11 by AZPaul3
03-26-2008 3:48 PM


Caffeine at the Un

This message is a reply to:
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AZPaul3
Member
Posts: 8513
From: Phoenix
Joined: 11-06-2006
Member Rating: 5.3


Message 14 of 15 (461735)
03-27-2008 12:47 PM
Reply to: Message 13 by Minnemooseus
03-26-2008 7:36 PM


Re: Caffeine at the Un
Caffeine Structure
Priceless!
Thank you, Moose.

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bluescat48
Member (Idle past 4190 days)
Posts: 2347
From: United States
Joined: 10-06-2007


Message 15 of 15 (461746)
03-27-2008 2:52 PM
Reply to: Message 14 by AZPaul3
03-27-2008 12:47 PM


Re: Caffeine at the Un
the picture is of 3 caffeine molecules superimposed on each other.

There is no better love between 2 people than mutual respect for each other

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