As I reviewed the lecture slides of addiction, I didn't realize how powerful and also popular caffeine is in this world. As I am also a coffee lover, it was interesting to learn how addiction works, especially with coffee. Caffeine is used by the majority of individuals in the United States, whether in coffee, soda, energy drinks, or chocolate. People can easily get addicted to coffee and other caffeinated beverages. Caffeine tolerance develops in the same way as it does with other drugs or alcohol. Caffeine users who consume the drug on a regular basis get used to the wake-up effect it causes, and progressively demand greater doses to acquire the same “caffeine fix.” Caffeine is addictive due to the way it affects the human brain and provides the alert sensation that individuals seek.
However, there are negative sides to caffeine. Such as if it is taken within six hours of bedtime, it can potentially harm your health by interfering with your sleep. Caffeine is also known to increase anxiety; these effects may become more apparent with greater dosages, resulting in nervousness and anxiousness. Another problem is digestive issues, as caffeine appears to promote bowel motions through boosting peristalsis, or the contractions that transport food through the digestive system. And lastly addiction, despite all of caffeine's health advantages, there's no doubting that it may become daily ritual.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3777290/
Rachel, this post was very helpful for me as I have always been confused on whether caffeine is beneficial for the human body or not. I personally do not consume any form of caffeine anymore, whether it be in sodas, coffee, energy drinks, chocolate, or even teas. I used to consume these things, but I have found that my body does not handle caffeine well and it tends to greatly increase my anxiety and nervousness. It also causes me to feel shaky and nauseous, as I have learned from past consumption. I now opt for a caffeine free herbal tea like chamomile or licorice root and for something sweet I typically reach for fruit or something that I know won't raise my blood sugar levels too much or increase my anxiety. Something that you mentioned that I found most interesting, was that if you consume caffeine within six hours of your bedtime, it can negatively affect your sleep. That is extremely important information for the public to know, especially because so many people now drink so much coffee everyday and work long hours. They may think it is harmless to have a cup of coffee to finish up a work shift at seven o'clock, and then wonder why they can't fall asleep by eleven. I think many people now do not get enough sleep, and I assume caffeine consumption may have something to do with it. Great post, thank you for the information!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely loved reading your post! I am also a coffee drinker therefore it is awesome, and sometimes a bit scary, to learn about how coffee and caffeine really effects a person. Plus, your visual is a great addition that puts into perspective just some of the caffeine intake that Americans have.
ReplyDeleteThis was such a great discussion that I am super glad you posted as a person who for sure has a coffee addiction. Normally when you think of the term “addiction” you think of drugs or alcohol but addiction can be the presence of any given thing that you rely or are dependent on. According to NCBI, addiction is highly heritable and is more likely to happen if multiple people in your family suffer from this disease. I also really liked how you mentioned the pros and cons of caffeine, I for sure can see both sides.
ReplyDeleteReference: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2715956/
Hi Rachel, great post!
ReplyDeleteAs I am reading this post, I am sipping on my morning cup of coffee, an addiction I do not see getting rid of any time soon. The smell and taste of a fresh cup in the morning is too much to pass for me, but I also understand the risks of caffeine and has "over-caffeinated" in the past. The heart pounding and sweats are no fun.
I also sometimes substitute coffee with a nice of cup of ceremonial Japanese matcha latte, but it requires preparation so I only have one if my wife is making one for herself ;)
I definitely liked how you discussed both the positive and negative effects of caffeine. Most people only seem to pay attention to the positive effects it has such as waking somebody up in the morning or whenever they drink it. However, I have definitely experienced all of the negative effects that you mentioned. Along with the nervousness and anxiety that it can cause, I think the digestive issues it can cause is pretty underrated.
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