Caffeine junkie?!
Question: Wether you know it or not its a drug and ppl should know the facts, I want to see if there are other ppl like me.
Answers:
I am a caffeine junkie and would like NOT to be. I'm addicted. The thing that helped me for a while is to read "Caffeine Blues" or the website "how things work.com", something like that. It's scarey, but I'm addicted, for now.
Caffeine is shaped like the molecule adenosine. Your brain needs adenosine to get restful sleep. The caffeine molecules get into the adenosine RECEPTORS and "lock them up". You know, like when you put a key in a lock and it won't turn. Your body thinks it needs to put out adrenaline to compensate for the lack of sleep (to keep going). Adrenaline is the same thing that is in your blood stream when your excited or in a "fight or flight" response.
So basically..when you are continuously on caffeine, you are in a constant state of "flight or fight" response and I think this has messed with my brain chemistry. You know from so many years of having adrenaline overload.
The headache when you have withdrawl is because the adenosine opens up the vessels to let blood in the brain and your brain isn't used to the blood supply.
This is the same reason you can use caffeine to treat a non-caffeine headache. The caffeine restricts the blood vessels so the brain doesn't get the blood flow overload.
Other Answers:
i drink about 5+ cups of espresso a day. i don't care if it is a drug, because i wouldn't be awake without it. and i obviously have sooooo much to do. ha.
Everybody has all kinds of addictions.
Was it cigaret, coffe, drugs, alcohol, sex, games, hobby, sports or a job, they exist and vary from time to time with all of us.
Question is:so what?..
Well, put me down as a drug addict then, because caffeinated pop/soda is the only thing I drink. I am addicted to it, too, because if I don't drink it on a pretty constant basis, I get a terrible headache and start to feel sick. Help! :)
Recent research publicised in the UK shows that a couple of coffees a day helps to avoid heart disease.
However - I suffer from high pulse rate and coughing if I drink too much of it. I find about 3 espressos a day is ok but the same amount of filter coffee or instant (yuk!) is a nightmare.
Laurel's headaches sound like a detoxing symptom. Try a week off the stuff and start again!
Absolutely - it is a drug and like any drug, overdose and you're in trouble.
Ten years ago, when I was 18, I got my first job on a newspaper. It was long hours and I needed to keep myself going and I drank anything up to six cans of diet coke per day, as well as regular cups of strong coffee. The result was my heart racing all the time, mood swings, headaches and insomnia. Cutting down was for all the world like going cold turkey.
Now I don't touch caffiene in any form. As you say, people should know what they're consuming and take it in moderation.
Calm down sweety take a zanex and call me in the morning. That's what the Dr. gave me when I was hiped up on caffeine pills
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