The World's #1 Drug of Choice

In my lifetime, I've given up caffeine at least 10 times for various reasons: to save money, to stop my cravings/dependence, to think more clearly, to sleep better. Somehow, after getting over the withdrawals, I always seem to make my way back toward caffeinated Tulsi green teas (definitely not the choice for you if you prefer low-caf green tea) and berry flavored 5 Hour Energy. Inevitably, each time the seasons move toward fall and winter, I drink coffee, too. Like many people, I am sensitive to large amounts of caffeine and grow cranky after having too much coffee. Not fun for anyone.


So why is the world so in love with caffeine? Well, we are all familiar with these common positive side-effects of the drug:

• Temporarily wards off drowsiness.
• Increases your drive to get work done.
• Helps take your exercise sessions to a higher level.
• Some studies have shown that caffeine is good for your mind and helps ward off Alzheimer's.

The list of negative, common side-effects from the overuse of caffeine is significantly longer. To name a few:

• Irritability
• Insomnia
• Dry Mouth
• Muscle tremors ("the shakes")
• Dry mouth
• Increased heart rate
• Digestive issues
• Decreased or increased hunger
• Anxiety
• Dehydration (caffeine is a diuretic)

Taking all of this into consideration, regular caffeine users build a tolerance to many of the negative side-effects listed above. Like most things in life, in moderation caffeine is not such a bad thing. It's important to stop, think, and become aware of possible side-effects before we put food and drink into our bodies, especially something we consume every day.