I probably am, although I sometimes go through stretches where I don't drink any coffee or soda with no ill effects. I've been drinking ~3 cups of coffee every morning for the last month though.
At least I know I'm not totally alone on the 'drank so much I grew immune' category. Yeah, I know I need to ween myself off of it. But I can't function at this point without it.
A lot of you are not really caffeine addicts, as I would define it. Kinda like calling someone who pounds some beers once a week an 'alcoholic'. Or maybe the closer analogy is someone who likes a glass of wine with dinner.
Typical caffeine amounts; keep the serving size in mind.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/caffeine/AN01211
Coke is 35mg per 12oz can, Diet is 45mg (did not know it was more- must have to addict you to the terrible taste somehow).
By comparison, many energy drinks are 80-120mg per 8oz and come in a 16oz can. I've been drinking Rockstar 'Punched' lately; normally their stuff tastes like sugary ass, but I like the fruit punch flavored drinks. They seem more mellow.
...but they have the mentioned 240mg per can.
Brewed coffee is similar to Coke...for a 4oz cup. When I drink coffee, it's a lot more than that, and I brew the diesel variety, so it's probably at least 100mg for an 8oz cup.
Again. I know. I have a problem. I'm just using some people who I know share some similarities to me to gauge exactly how bad it is...
IMHO you are addicted to caffeine as soon as you start having physical withdrawls when you try to stop.
There is no addiction to it, the only addiction is a person's routine.
What "withdrawls" are you guys talking about? There aren't any other than a headache - which doesn't have any reprocussions like drugs of "Shit man, would it be nice to calm yourself and this headache with a nice cup of coffee?"
There is no addiction to it, the only addiction is a person's routine.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, recognized the condition as a disorder five years ago after reviewing decades of studies. They concluded the higher the caffeine intake, the more likely a patient was to suffer from severe withdrawal symptoms when denied the ingredient.
Miss that cup of "Joe" or can of cola and don't be surprised if you start feeling funny, Kuhar warned. He said some people complain of "headache, fatigue, sleepiness, inability to focus and concentrate." Others report experiencing flu- like symptoms, irritability, depression and anxiety after skipping as little as one cup of coffee a day.
Kuhar explained that caffeine blocks receptors in the brain that can dilate blood vessels causing headaches. "Withdrawal symptoms can start from 12 to 20 hours after your last cup of coffee and peak about two days later and can last about as long as a week," Kuhar added.
Withdrawal
Withdrawal symptoms – including headache, irritability, inability to concentrate, drowsiness, insomnia, and pain in the stomach, upper body, and joints – may appear within 12 to 24 hours after discontinuation of caffeine intake, peak at roughly 48 hours, and usually last from 2 to 9 days.[71] In prolonged caffeine drinkers, symptoms such as increased depression and anxiety, nausea, vomiting, physical pains and intense desire for caffeine containing beverages are also reported. Peer knowledge, support and interaction may aid withdrawal.[72]
If you are regularly taking in a lot of caffeine through coffee and energy drinks, you're doing it wrong. It becomes counterproductive that way.
Better way is to have off-days and weeks sometimes. Or alternate with tea (mostly green) like I do.
Physically, but not psychologically. I could skip coffee fine, but I'd have a screaming headache if I did.
How does that do anything? Tea is loaded with caffeine too.
How does that do anything? Tea is loaded with caffeine too.