SO, I am 16 and I love coffee

[JohnMartinez]

Its been a while since I have visited the forums and I noticed some conversation regarding caffeine and coffee.

I have been an active coffee drinking consisting of two to three cups of dark black coffee a day. I enjoy the dark bold taste and other than a mocha frappe which I indulge in very rarely I never have my coffee anyway other than unsweetened and black.

This sometimes concerns me as I am aware of a dependency. Without coffee I get a relentless moderate headache which often takes me away from even the most enjoyable activities. This dependency concerns me because I simply don't want to be dependent, however I usually go with a hedonistic approach because, assuming I consume my usual amount, I feel happy and energetic.

I have had tea before and in all honesty I don't believe I care much for it. Other than a cup of green or black tea once and a while (usually in the afternoon) I don't partake in tea drinking.

I am posting this primarily to see other peoples experiences with coffee/caffeine and their opinions along with any research (personal or professional) that you all wish to share.

[VinceG]

Caffeine's a tough habit to kick once you're hooked, especially if you have a job where you need to be on your best game. You'll get jittery, tired. It screws with you.

The problem with caffeine isn't so much the addiction but the tolerance. It doesn't take too many weeks of continuous, heavy caffeine use to build up a tolerance. Once you're tolerant, then the mental benefits to consuming it go away, and all that's left is the dependence. You'll feel down unless you drink your morning coffee.

The tolerance builds slowly, you won't realize it until it's already kicked in. The way you recognize it is: at first when you drink coffee, you can feel the effects. There's a "buzz." Then you get hooked and you don't feel the buzz anymore. You find you need the coffee to function. You feel down unless you have coffee, whereas before you were fine until you have coffee, after which you got the buzz.

[cicadajones]

I just took a pharmacy class, and we discussed that anything under ~300mg of caffeine a day was considered a "moderate" amount (unlikely to develop high dependency and cause withdrawal symptoms, such as headaches). Black coffee has ~180mg of caffeine per cup, depending on the brand (I know Starbucks is stronger than most), so keeping it under 2 cups a day shouldn't be a strong issue for dependency.

Caffeine is considered a "performance-enhancing drug", so trying to keep your intake of it as low as possible is a good idea. Have you considered decaf after perhaps weaning yourself off little by little of the real deal (if you like the flavor and taste of coffee and not just for the effects)?

[firenexx]

Keep in mind that a "cup" is 8 fluid ounces. Most people drink a mug of coffee, which is more like 12 ounces, or a travel mug, which is more like 20-32 oz or more.

[cicadajones]

good point, firenexx. here is a table that may be handy: Caffeine Content

[learnllovelaugh]

Originally Posted by cicadajones

I just took a pharmacy class, and we discussed that anything under ~300mg of caffeine a day was considered a "moderate" amount (unlikely to develop high dependency and cause withdrawal symptoms, such as headaches). Black coffee has ~180mg of caffeine per cup, depending on the brand (I know Starbucks is stronger than most), so keeping it under 2 cups a day shouldn't be a strong issue for dependency.

This is untrue in my experience. I have decreased my intake to no more than 1 cup (5oz) of coffee a day, and I experience withdrawal symptoms if I go without it. I will almost certainly be in a bad mood if I go more than 24 hours without caffeine. At that point I'll struggle to think about anything besides caffeine, but drinking just a couple ounces of coffee will completely turn my mood around for the rest of the day.

So, I still feel dependent on caffeine even though I drink a relatively small amount. I think caffeine is a more powerful drug than it's made out to be.

[JohnMartinez]

I would like to think that it is when you build up a tolerance to something is when it becomes bad. Looking at it philosophically, at least. To reply to the other posts though, I am taking in 2-3 "mugs" of black coffee. It is a dark roast if that helps is assessing the caffeine content.

Decafe is not an interest for me as I drink coffee in an interest in the taste AND the caffeine.

[cicadajones]

Originally Posted by learnllovelaugh

This is untrue in my experience. I have decreased my intake to no more than 1 cup (5oz) of coffee a day, and I experience withdrawal symptoms if I go without it. I will almost certainly be in a bad mood if I go more than 24 hours without caffeine. At that point I'll struggle to think about anything besides caffeine, but drinking just a couple ounces of coffee will completely turn my mood around for the rest of the day.

So, I still feel dependent on caffeine even though I drink a relatively small amount. I think caffeine is a more powerful drug than it's made out to be.

The numbers I gave were based on studies conducted, so it may not be applicable for everyone.

[Harmonium]

I used to love coffee. Now it makes me sick usually. I still torture myself with it from time to time though, sometimes the buzz is really nice. Other times there is no buzz, just sickness and other not so good side effects.

Don't ever take ADD medication or "better" stimulants, it could ruin your coffee lol. I do agree with the poster that said caffeine is more powerful than it's made out to be, I also love how it's hardly even recognized as a drug in the US, more proof we are collectively re_tar_ded I guess

[JohnMartinez]

Originally Posted by Harmonium

I used to love coffee. Now it makes me sick usually. I still torture myself with it from time to time though, sometimes the buzz is really nice. Other times there is no buzz, just sickness and other not so good side effects.

Don't ever take ADD medication or "better" stimulants, it could ruin your coffee lol. I do agree with the poster that said caffeine is more powerful than it's made out to be, I also love how it's hardly even recognized as a drug in the US, more proof we are collectively re_tar_ded I guess

There are so many things in society today that seem socially justified. What I am looking for is my own personal conclusion for what I think is in the best interest of my own happiness.

[pyrogen]

Originally Posted by JohnMartinez

There are so many things in society today that seem socially justified. What I am looking for is my own personal conclusion for what I think is in the best interest of my own happiness.

That is so awesome, I'm going to quote it.

[ButterflyWoman]

Originally Posted by learnllovelaugh

I have decreased my intake to no more than 1 cup (5oz) of coffee a day, and I experience withdrawal symptoms if I go without it.

This is also my experience. I have a single caffeinated coffee drink most days (I generally make my own with a stovetop espresso pot), and I definitely feel it if I don't have it. On some days, I also have a mug of tea, but that's not every day. And some days, I only have tea.

For me, a half a cup of tea is enough to lose a caffeine headache, so when I want to cut it down, that works to ease the withdrawal.

Another thing that I've been known to do is do a half-caf brew (half caffeinated coffee, half decaf) and slowly decrease the amount of caffeinated coffee day to day until I'm just drinking decaf. Same coffee pleasure, caffeine dependency kicked.

I know from experience that if I overindulge in caffeine I have heart palpitations, which aren't serious, but they are quite uncomfortable and something I want to avoid, and when I was younger, I abused caffeine quite ridiculously. It is a pretty powerful central nervous system stimulant. Consideration of it is well-warranted.

But, that being said, I'm not all that bothered by having a mild caffeine habit, to be honest. It's not a big problem for me, and so long as I keep it to a cup of coffee a day and the occasional cup of tea, it's just not a big deal for me. I never drink enough to cause complications, and I never drink caffeine past mid-afternoon, so it doesn't affect my ability to sleep. I enjoy the caffeine (in moderation) and I enjoy coffee and tea, so I consume them. Too much IS bad for you. That's what "too much" means.

[learnllovelaugh]

Originally Posted by CaterpillarWoman

For me, a half a cup of tea is enough to lose a caffeine headache, so when I want to cut it down, that works to ease the withdrawal.

Another thing that I've been known to do is do a half-caf brew (half caffeinated coffee, half decaf) and slowly decrease the amount of caffeinated coffee day to day until I'm just drinking decaf. Same coffee pleasure, caffeine dependency kicked.

I've been doing this too and have found it has definitely helped me decrease my intake of caffeine. I try to only drink enough to make the withdrawal symptoms bearable.

Originally Posted by CaterpillarWoman

But, that being said, I'm not all that bothered by having a mild caffeine habit, to be honest. It's not a big problem for me, and so long as I keep it to a cup of coffee a day and the occasional cup of tea, it's just not a big deal for me. I never drink enough to cause complications, and I never drink caffeine past mid-afternoon, so it doesn't affect my ability to sleep. I enjoy the caffeine (in moderation) and I enjoy coffee and tea, so I consume them.

One thing I can't get passed is the fact that there is no drug I would allow myself to consume every day, why is caffeine the exception? It's just as powerful as other stimulants out there and no one is defending those.

Originally Posted by cicadajones

The numbers I gave were based on studies conducted, so it may not be applicable for everyone.

Originally Posted by cicadajones

...keeping it under 2 cups a day shouldn't be a strong issue for dependency.

That study doesn't deserve a lot of credit if it claims that the average person can consume 10 oz of coffee daily and not develop dependency. I know plenty of people who are addicted to a lesser amount of caffeine.

[LongSchlongSilver]

You just need to remember that what five ounces does for one person may do almost nothing to the next.

I'm 17 and I usually consume around one mug (~11 oz.) of black coffee every morning. Like you, I rarely consume "Starbucks" concoctions, sugar-loaded frappuccinos. We get our coffee beans from a relative who works a coffee plantation in Colombia, and in my personal experience, I've always consumed it more for the full-body flavor than for the caffeine.

My friend on the other hand, only consumes around ~6 oz. every day, yet continually reports caffeine headaches without her daily joe.

Whatever, coffee beats five-hour energy any day

[Acting Like Godot]

Originally Posted by learnllovelaugh

One thing I can't get passed is the fact that there is no drug I would allow myself to consume every day, why is caffeine the exception? It's just as powerful as other stimulants out there and no one is defending those.

Perhaps it is because none of those other drugs have been shown to reduce your risk of dementia, Alzeheimer's disease, liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, pharyngeal cancer, esophageal cancer, heart disease and MRSA infection while improving your cognitive performance.

[cicadajones]

Originally Posted by learnllovelaugh

That study doesn't deserve a lot of credit if it claims that the average person can consume 10 oz of coffee daily and not develop dependency. I know plenty of people who are addicted to a lesser amount of caffeine.

The conclusions were just saying that based on the results they found from their data, this amount was considered within a "healthy" range, and that they found that if kept under this amount that dependency was lower and withdrawal effects were lower. I mean, it's science: it's not perfect or applicable to every single person, there will always be exceptions

[learnllovelaugh]

Originally Posted by cicadajones

The conclusions were just saying that based on the results they found from their data, this amount was considered within a "healthy" range, and that they found that if kept under this amount that dependency was lower and withdrawal effects were lower. I mean, it's science: it's not perfect or applicable to every single person, there will always be exceptions

Common sense tells me that it is not applicable to most people. I know common sense is really outdated though.

[bluestar]

I love coffee too. Every morning I have 2 cups, unsweetened and black (though not terribly strong) I shall have those 2 coffees every morning all my life till the day I die!
But it doesn't affect me badly at all. I don't ever get any bad reactions to it. Coffee is one of my pleasures of life. It doesn't make me sleep badly either. After about 11am I never ever have any more. It's just a morning thing with me.
But some people can be sensitive to coffee, and it can give them a bad time. If so. it's time to do something about it. Headaches or any other bad thing connected with drinking coffee are the body's way of saying no.

HAHA! I just noticed this post is my POST NUMBER 666!!

[cicadajones]

Originally Posted by learnllovelaugh

Common sense tells me that it is not applicable to most people. I know common sense is really outdated though.

I'm simply just offering one study that I knew about. I'm sure it doesn't hold all the answers, just as I'm sure that you also don't hold all the answers. We will have to agree to disagree on this one, although I have agreed that drugs (such as caffeine) have different effects on different people (depending on your own individual biochemistry).

[learnllovelaugh]

Originally Posted by cicadajones

We will have to agree to disagree on this one

Sounds good to me.

[Clint Cora]

I never got addicted to coffee. I don't even drink it on a daily basis. I have it maybe only 1-2 times per week believe it or not but more so in the winter to not only keep warm but to keep awake for my two hour drives up to and back from the ski slopes. So this way, I'm not addicted to caffeine but it really works even via a single cup to keep me alert on the road when I need it.

I'll also drink tea as well but in quite a few different varieties, not just your usual Earl Greys. I take different Chinese teas, ginseng teas, herbal teas as well as the standard Earl Grey every now and then. This gives me a nice variety so this might be something to try out before you completely give up on tea.

[pyrogen]

I love my cup of coffee. I'm also addicted. But there's more to it, because I can just take a caffeine tablet if the addiction were the only component. I just love my cup of coffee in the morning, and the ritual associated with it.

[mlj]

I used to drink a lot of coffee, but I recently (well a couple of years ago) started to stay away from coffee, because I don't like the way it makes me feel.

Im not sure if I was completely addicted, but now I just try and stick to water most of the time

[Andrew Brunelle]

Coffee is one of my best friends. I guess that doesn't say much about my social life. Like with most so-called drugs, the whole food is better than the drug itself. Whole coffee is actually not that bad for you, as long as it is organic and without sugar/milk. Unless you have raw organic milk. I put a dab of raw cream in my coffee and it tastes wonderful. I'll drink maybe 6 cups a day, over time for an even caffeine supply in my body. I'll also drink black and green teas from time to time, although they usually have to be flavored teas, as I don't use sugar/honey.

Coffee/caffeine has gotten a bad rap by many in the health circle, but next to water and tea, it is the best beverage you can drink (I'm not including fresh squeezed veggie juice). As long as it is organic (Coffee is one of the most heavily sprayed crops), then there is really no guilt, other than overdoing it and experiencing nervousness, tremors, etc. It also has a good amount of antioxidants. It's not going to kill you like cigarettes and processed foods, so enjoy it, but remember that moderation is the key, like for anything else.

[Mariana Trench]

Originally Posted by Acting Like Godot

Perhaps it is because none of those other drugs have been shown to reduce your risk of dementia, Alzeheimer's disease, liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, pharyngeal cancer, esophageal cancer, heart disease and MRSA infection while improving your cognitive performance.

I suddenly do not feel bad about the fact that I break out the french press every time there's large amounts of school to be done.

[Criseyde]

A month late, I guess, but here's my story:

I've been drinking coffee since I was two years old (you read that right) and it recently turned on me. I seem to be okay with having it a couple times a week (knock on wood), but drinking it every day gives me horrible, throat-constricting anxiety.

I'm rather depressed about it.

[ZephyrusX]

I love coffee. I'll only have one or two cups a day though. I've never had any problems with it, luckily. At the most, I'll feel disappointed if I don't have my morning coffee. Like when I'm running late.

[Alex Barboza]

I have loved coffe since I was younger than you. I am Colombian so coffe is part of every home habits and in my family they are very addicted, actually.

[Mariana Trench]

I started drinking coffee around twelve, went nuts (about 8 mugs a day, black) with it toward the beginning of high school to make up for very little sleep, an hour long commute, lots of work and an insane diet (mostly V8, apples, and toast ). Inevitably, I crashed from that, detoxed miserably for like two weeks and swore it off forever.

That didn't last. But now I use it when I need an extra boost of concentration and energy, or just a boost in mood (I still drink it black). If I use it for more than about two weeks at a time I drink a lot of green tea to make the transition smoother as I reset my tolerance.

[ZephyrusX]

Oddly enough, coffee doesn't seem to effect my energy or concentration. I can drink coffee during the night and still pass out cold within 30 minutes of going to bed. And stay that way for an embarrassing amount of time if left undisturbed.

But then... I only drink 2 cups a day...