Have an addiction to coffee?
You are far from alone.
Yes, I too, am addicted to coffee!
Coffee, and therefore caffeine addictions, have been around since 600 AD when the coffee bean was first discovered and consumed in South America. Arabic coffee, called "Qahwa" literally translates to "That which prevents sleep", as it is clear to see that the effects of caffeine have existed since the early days.
The Biology
Caffeine interferes with the uptake and storage of calcium by the muscles which is why large concentrations of caffeine increase the strength and duration of contractions in muscles. Caffeine is a stimulant to the central nervous system, and regular use of caffeine causes mild physical dependence on it.
What happens when you stop drinking coffee?
Symptoms of withdrawal may be:
- headache
- fatigue
- anxiety
- irritability
- depressed mood
- difficulty concentrating
Statistics
- 90% of Americans consume some form of caffeine every day/More than 80% of American adults drink coffee every day
- There has been only 1 reported death by caffeine in over-ingestion
- 75% of coffee will be out of your system in about 10 hours
Fun Fact/Tip!
Your body naturally produces a hormone called cortisol that helps you feel alert and awake. That is released according to your circadian rhythm, dictated by the time of the day. So, if you have a habit of drinking coffee when you first wake up, you may want to wait a bit longer so that your caffeine isn’t wasted during a time when cortisol is at its highest.
Having a coffee addiction may effect the way you live.
Effects of having a coffee addiction:
- coffee combats tiredness while improving concentration and focus
- reduces risk of liver cancer by 50%
- may boost long-term memory
- possible insomnia, nervousness, restlessness, irritability, upset stomach, fast heartbeat, or muscle tremors
Works Cited
- "Caffeine History." Caffeine History. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2015.
- "Exotic Beverages." Richard Charlton's Coffeehouse. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2015.
- "Neurologic Effects of Caffeine ." Neurologic Effects of Caffeine. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2015.
"Caffeine Facts: Addiction, Insomnia, Pregnancy Effects, and More." WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 01 Mar. 2015.
"This Is How Your Brain Becomes Addicted to Caffeine." Smithsonian. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Mar. 2015.
"Caffeinsanity." Caffeine Addiction Statistics. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2015.
Medical News Today. MediLexicon International, n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2015.
"Is Coffee Actually Bad for You?" Rational Romantics. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2015.
"17 Awesome Facts That You Never Knew About Coffee." Distractify. N.p., 04 May 2014. Web. 24 Mar. 2015.
"I Love Days When My Only Problem Is…." Quotes Pictures and Images Coffee Category. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2015.