I Smoke Weed, But I Don't Do Drugs

[telecom_goddess]

I would say more people than not have a caffeine "addiction", but its not really a problem, is it? For 99.9% of people, this is an extremely mild dependency, and using caffeine has no negative effect on their life.

I have to agree with this statement....

[Andara Bledin]

As a stimulant, it does put minor strain on the heart, just like any other stimulant. Over time this can lead to greater issues.

Plus, it's a physical dependency; one which a lot of people have a difficult time breaking both due to the week-long headache one gets when quitting, and the prevalence of it in most of what we drink.

But, yes, for the most part, it's not a big deal. Which can be argued for a number of non-sanctioned recreational substances as well.

^-.-^

[AdminAssistant]

I would say more people than not have a caffeine "addiction", but its not really a problem, is it?

Not unless you're one of those assholes who won't talk to anyone "until I've had my coffee." Mom came to visit a few years back and whined the whole damn time that I didn't have a coffee maker. I miss caffeine, and the occasional cup of coffee, but really? You don't get a free pass to be an asshole until you get your daily dose of stimulants.

[protege]

The only caffeine I consume now...is at work. Nope, not coffee--I can't stand the stuff. Most of what I consume is soda. Yeah, I know. But, it gives me an excuse to go outside, and get one from the C-store around the corner. Plus, with my sinuses all fucked up, the caffeine actually helps. It opens up the blood vessels, and I don't get as many headaches. I'm not hooked on the stuff by any means--I rarely have sodas at home. Work is different, it's either the crappy lighting or because it's so stuffy in there that I have problems. It's easier, and doesn't knock me on my ass like my headache meds do.

[Andara Bledin]

I'm not hooked on the stuff by any means--I rarely have sodas at home.

It takes as little as 100mg of caffeine a day to form a physical (not to mention, psychological) dependence. That's about how much is in your typical cup of brewed coffee. Drip coffee has 40% more caffeine. It takes about 3 cans of soda to reach the same level. The reason that coffee drinkers "need" that wake up cup in the morning is because they've gone into minor withdrawal overnight.

At 5 times that level (>500mg) you can start suffering from caffeine intoxication. And toxicity can occur as low as 5g.

Here's an outstanding list of drinks and their caffeine content.

^-.-^

[Boozy]

As a stimulant, it does put minor strain on the heart, just like any other stimulant. Over time this can lead to greater issues.

That's true, but like many drugs, the therapeutic effects can be more valuable than the side effects. For some people, anyway.

They add caffeine to a lot of migraine medications. Sometimes even a well-timed cup of coffee is enough to arrest a migraine for me.

But, yes, for the most part, it's not a big deal. Which can be argued for a number of non-sanctioned recreational substances as well.

Very true.

Not unless you're one of those assholes who won't talk to anyone "until I've had my coffee." Mom came to visit a few years back and whined the whole damn time that I didn't have a coffee maker. I miss caffeine, and the occasional cup of coffee, but really? You don't get a free pass to be an asshole until you get your daily dose of stimulants.

I agree, but I don't blame the caffeine. Some people just use caffeine withdrawal as a lousy excuse for bitchiness. I'm mildly cranky in the mornings before I've had my cup, but I'm perfectly polite to Mr. Boozy in the morning (who cheerily leaps out of bed at 6 am ready to greet the day).

When I stay with friends who don't drink coffee, I either bring my own instant, or I go out first thing in the morning to grab a take-out. I don't think guests should expect their hosts to provide specific food and drink items if they don't normally buy them.

[telecom_goddess]

That's true about the migraine meds having caffeine I forgot about that. When I get one caffeine helps quite a bit. In addition to the meds.