Food For Thought

I stopped coffee recently. It was my form of caffeine intake. I’ve gone into the ’science’ about 1/20th of an inch, just enough to awaken myself out of complacency and denial about its relative harmlessness. I know why it is used even though its known, even superficially, not to be the most ‘healthy’ thing to do and I understand why one would not want to stop.

I didn’t really give it any thought….that caffeine had a scientific ‘drug’ name. That’s it above along with the formula ie. like H20. I had to ask my husband how to pronounce it. 

I pulled up a study and this was the first sentence. “Caffeine is the most consumed psychoactive drug in the world.” What?  My first awakening was being reminded of its category  &  my reaction to it. ”Psychoactive?  This is a bit of an exaggeration, no?! I was a college kid in the late 60’s and psychoactive meant: LSD, psilocybin [mushrooms], mescaline, heroin, and amphetamines. [not conclusive list]

I thought caffeine didn’t even rate the category “recreational drugs” yet, I read a list of examples: coffee, alcohol, cocaine and cannabis. Alas, some of these are still referred to that way. Second awakening: “Okay, but caffeine is way down there on the list after cocaine, betel nut, and nicotine. ” Then the light went off in my foggy brain and a thought floated down: LOOK how its classified. It’s ‘in’ with all those substances you KNOW aren’t good.  I had to laugh at myself. I had been duped. By myself, my generation, the culture, media etc.

I knew my morning coffee wasn’t a ‘nourishing food,” nor the best thing to drink on an empty stomach. But, I skimmed over a large portion of the negatives because I didn’t think they were “that bad.” I think then, what is moderation? The American Medical Association claims that it’s 3 8 oz. cups a day, but I’ve never been a fan of the AMA. Their caveat included is “may be lower for pregnant women and children.” 

The party line is that caffeine in moderation is harmless and that it may have some beneficial effects i.e. the various studies on the use of coffee and Parkinsons. Duke University Medical Center added smoking to their study and the findings suggest “that smokers and coffee drinkers have a lower risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.”   I don’t remotely believe Parkinsons’ is a caffeine-deficient disease.

The pituitary secretes hormones, which then cause the adrenal glands to secret adrenalin, the fight or flight hormone that gives the body a jolt of energy which is useless while sitting at your desk.  The body is on constant alert as if in a war zone.  When it wears off, the common symptoms occur: fatigue, irritiability, headache, depression.  For every cup that is ingested, there is a stimulating effect so its understandable why some drink it all day. It is possible to develop tolerance to it. Some sources say its minimal but others say the tolerance leads to needing more to achieve the same effect. 

Caffeine also increases dopamine levels the same way amphetamines do [heroin and cocaine]. Dopamine is a neurotransmiter that activates the pleasure centers of the brain.   Obviously, caffeine’s effect is much lower on the scale than heroin, but its this dopamine connection that contributes to caffeine’s addictive qualities. It makes us feel good.  Long term, sleep is affected. If consumed, a big cup of coffee [about 12 oz.] with 200 mg. of caffeine at 3 pm by 9 pm, about 1/2 of that caffeine is still in your system. Deep sleep may not come and that deficit adds up. The cycle continues day after day with coffee needed upon arising. 

The major withdrawal symptoms are: headache, nausea, brain fogginess, dehydration = irritability.

How does one give it up with a full time job and 4 kids to care for? My hat is off to you!  I’d be interested in knowing if you’ve done it under those life circumstances. I’m also interested in what the SOUL is calling out for …surely, not literally, caffeine?!  What I have found to be true:

1. When I decided to withdrawal from caffeine [coffee], it took me another two-three days to get used to the idea and implement it.   This wasn’t the first time.
2. Surrender works over will power.
3. There are cafes on every corner and they’re pretty, social and attractive. I like that…for now, can’t do it.
4. Headaches and nausea were my symptoms. Long naps required and a bit of despair…is this EVER going to end?
5. I talk to people who have done it; that helps immeasurably.

Glad to be here.  The sun is rising as I look out over my lemon tree while sipping Numi’s Spiced Rooibos. Today is a new day & I’m grateful to be out from under the headaches and dreadful sleepiness.

Webliography: http://www.newstarget.com/012352.html 

http://www.jneurosci.org/cgi/reprint/22/15/6321 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychoactive_drug http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/04/070409164849.htm [Duke Study Summary]
http://thebrain.mcgill.ca/flash/i/i_03/i_03_m/i_03_m_par/i_03_m_par_cafeine.html
Pamphlet: Calamity in a Cup

Caffeine Blues  Stephen Cherniske

About the Author...

It has taken me years to unlearn much of what I learned about psychology and health. Suffice it to say, I believe in home schooling, the work of Price, Fallon, Enig and Cowan and one's right to be happy in one's life. My husband and I live in Sunnyvale, CA with seven fabulous cats. They teach us to take a nap when the urge strikes, to eat heartily when hungry and to stretch into the new day. La Vida es Bueno!