REVIEW: Our last two columns took issue with the caffeine habit in our society. While considered by most users to be a ubiquitous, harmless and benign cultural habit, others point to its pharmacologic and psychotropic aspects. Undoubtedly, this column may present a challenge to some of our readers.
Coffee: Food or Drug?
Imagine going to buy coffee at the grocery store and finding the coffee section missing.
“What’s going on,” you ask the clerk. “Where is the coffee?”
“Oh, haven’t you heard? Coffee has been classified as a drug. The pharmacist sells it now.”
Shaking your head in disbelief, you walk across the store to where the pharmacist dispenses medications, drugs, and—caffeinated beverages.
The pharmacist smiles at you knowingly. “You look like you’re here for some coffee. I can tell from your expression.”
You nod and tell him what brand you would like.
“That’s fine,” he says. “No prescription necessary—I just need to type up the warning label.”
“Warning label?”
“That’s right. Take a look at it."
He hands you the coffee, but you don’t look so sure anymore. And you hear yourself saying, “I am really not so sure that I want it. Let me think about this a bit more. It’s a new concept for me…”
Habit or Addiction?
You could be a caffeine addict without even knowing it. One way to find out if you are addicted is to stop all caffeine intake for a week. If you’re hooked, chances are good that you will notice such physical symptoms as headache, lack of appetite, and nausea, which can last from one to five days. Psychologically, you may feel somewhat down and listless, and of course, there will be a strong urge for your favorite beverage.
Your Challenge
Cut down on caffeinated drinks—tea, coffee, and Colas, Monster drinks and Red Bull—and, eventually, why not skip them altogether? See how you fare. At the end of a week, review this material and give some consideration of making your body a caffeine- free zone.