It's shocking how tired I am. Either my daily coffee has been hiding this horrible ailment I have, or this is caffeine withdrawal. I haven't even gone a whole day without it, yet. I'm also out of ibuprofen. It would seem I am going to need more.
I've decided that drinking coffee every day makes terribly inefficient use of a really good stimulant. I know that regular use of other stimulants builds tolerance and dependence, and worst of all, causes them to stop working. I don't see why caffeine would be any different. I need it, and yet barely feel like I'm breaking even, by drinking it every day.
I tried giving up coffee a few years ago. I was successful, but after a few months I decided I was better off as an addict. All or nothing. Now, I'm not giving it up entirely. I just want to break the addiction, so that I can enjoy it more, 2-3 times a week.
I wonder why this approach seems so unusual. It makes sense to me, but it's taken me years to learn for myself how stimulants work, and to think of trying even coffee this way. I've never seen anyone suggest this. So, I wonder if my body works differently. Maybe others don't build tolerance as quickly, or experience as much drop-off in efficacy because of it. I don't put it past people though, doing everything wrong for millennia, without learning anything.
Other people do seem to be more impulsive than I am. Maybe that's what makes this a more viable approach for me. I feel lousy, but this isn't some monumental act of willpower. I'm really good at not doing things.
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1 comment:
Caffeine/Coffee is a socially accepted addiction. I am curious about dependence too.
I like your idea to save the buzz for when you want or need it. I wonder if a tea with lower caffeine level would help with the headache and “withdraw”.
I am a daily 1/2-2 cup morning drinker. Most days I don’t finish my first cup. I find it jump starts the engine until the mind and body can catch up. I get a headache and find it hard to get the day started if I don’t have at least 1/2 cup.
Even though I drink coffee every day, it still has an effect on me when I drink it at other times of the day. If I am tired and have things I need to do then a cup would help. If I need to make sure to not fall asleep then it could take 2 cups.
I used to take advantage of the effects of caffeine/coffee on Friday and Saturday nights to keep up with my husband or if he had a gig.
If I want to sleep, I have to watch how late in the day I drink anything with caffeine because it will keep me awake.
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