You Too Can Be An Addict - Five Effects of Caffeine Addiction

By Carma Dutra

You are an addict. How can I make that statement? I don’t even know who you are, but if you answer Yes to at least two of the four following questions, you are possibly among the millions of people who are addicted to caffeine.

Did your first cup of coffee taste bitter?

Did you have to force yourself to drink it?

Did you feel energized?

Or were you like me and had to add a half cup of sugar and cream to it in order to take the bitterness away?

Caffeine is a member of the “Ine” family, namely nicotine, cocaine, morphine, and amphetamine. A dreadful motley crew to say the least. No wonder caffeine has such strong addictive capabilities.

If you have experienced the top five effects of caffeine addiction listed below, you more than likely will qualify as a caffeine addict. Of course you only need to experience a few to be considered a dependent for any drug.

1. Tolerance. You know your tolerance is increasing when you need to drink six cups of caffeinated drinks in order to experience the same feel-good feelings you did a few months ago when you were only drinking three cups.

2. Withdrawal Symptoms. You know you may be addicted after you have decreased your caffeine intake and experience symptoms that include severe headaches, irritability, or sleeplessness.

3. Psychological Dependence. You have developed psychological dependence when you feel you cannot face the day without your coffee.

4. Continued Overdose. You continue to overdose your body with caffeine for quite sometime after you have discovered how it can cause damage to your body.

5. Failed Recovery. You experience many failed attempts to control the use of caffeine or the behavior that the addiction causes. Such as hyper energy, nervousness or sleep deprivation.

Although the Food and Drug Administration lists caffeine as a safe food substance, it is highly addictive according to several reports in the Journal of Pyschopharmacology. Also caffeine is the most widely used behaviorally active drug in the world. In the United States, 80 percent to 90 percent of adults report regular use of caffeine. Average daily intake of caffeine among caffeine consumers is about 280 milligrams, or about one to two mugs of coffee or three to five bottles of soft drink.

According to Charles Czeisler, a neuroscientist and sleep expert at Harvard Medical School, Scientists have developed a consensus which focuses on the caffeine's interference with adenosine, a chemical in the body that acts as a natural sleeping pill. Caffeine blocks the hypnotic effect of adenosine and keeps us from falling asleep. Since caffeine has also been shown to enhance mood and increase alertness in moderate amounts, it's a potent potion for students stuck in the lab at three in the morning and our workaholic society. If you find yourself experiencing any of these conditions or symptoms, you should consult your family physician regarding recovery from caffeine addiction.

Mark Twain said, "Habit is habit, and not to be flung out of the window by any man, but coaxed downstairs a step at a time."

Carma writes a mostly daily blog at Carma's Window on a variety of topics based on her life experiences as mom, grandma, wife and plumbing contractor. She holds a B. A. degree in management and is a licensed plumbing contractor

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