I am addicted to caffeine. I am like the billions of other people who only finds the good in mornings is getting that double espresso drink from my local starbucks. Yes, I am as bad as to where I don’t even need to say anything when I walk in, I merely hand them the cash and the baristas will write my name and order on the cup. I am that much of a Starbucks addict, and I have grown to accept that.

Caffeine is a drug, but to call it as an addictive drug much like nicotine is a crock of shit because all caffeine really does is thin out the blood giving energy. It has become a source of quick energy for people when they want it, where smoking is more of a physical addiction. Ok yes, both have physical withdrawals, but it isn't along the lines of nicotine, crack, or cocaine. It is all mental...

Ok, now that I have gotten through the first step of the 12-step program of dealing with addiction, let me get into the topic in question. Via Lifehacker, the New York Times did an article on a study by a few people on how much caffeine actually has an effect to our energy, the natural cycle of withdrawals, blah blah blah. All of us actually have gone through the natural cycle of caffeine use from being tired as hell, and then downing a drink and getting that shot of energy, and I believe that most of use have actually gone through the dreaded caffeine withdrawals where we deal with painful headaches and constant fatigue.

Switching to either placebo or caffeine caused sharp changes in blood flow to the brain and encephalography readings, and those who switched to placebo had headaches and decreases in energy and alertness.

But there were no significant differences between the two maintenance periods — that is, whether the person consistently consumed caffeine or placebo, most physiological measures, and all subjective measures of alertness or tiredness were identical.

This tells you how much of a role your mind plays in all this. The effect of your body is mainly determined by what you believe is happening. Gotta love that placebo effect. Of course how does this affect me? It doesn't. This is a study that gave me redundant information. I already knew that caffeine was merely 75% mental and I have long battled caffeine addiction like I was a recovering crack addict, actually thinking my life would be better without it.

The truth is I have always been addicted to caffeine in general. From when I was in middle school with a goal of consuming 6 cans of soda a day (yes I was that bad) to when Red Bull came to my local store... oh how happy I was. If you don't believe me, I still have the first god damn can of red bull I ever consumed sitting on my desk.

There was even a time when I was out 'experimenting'. Not with other men to explore my sexual horizons, but with different energy drinks, how they taste, and how well they worked. It was at a point to after 2 cups of Starbucks and 3 energy drinks I was still tired, I have some how built my tolerance up that much.

Mormons I think have it worse when they 'cannot have' any kind of caffeinated drinks (which much like any religion with scriptures it is questionable due to crappy translations and interpretations) but then again I wonder if it is better never to have caffeine. When I was able to quit caffeine (once, summer of 2002) I was able to get to bed when I wanted to (like early... zOMG!) and had maintainable energy throughout the day. But in truth, it was boring. Life is a lot more fun when you have its ups and downs then to have neither.

So to all those caffeine addicts out there, I say, don't fight it, enjoy it, live it, breath it. Caffeine isn't a evil sin, it is the sweet nectar of life!