Wellness Journalism: Cracking Caffeine

This is a toxic world, and almost everything—from the construction materials in your home to the thoughts of the person sitting next to you—is loaded with impurities. Although you can’t control what is already created or the behavior of others, there are some things under your immediate jurisdiction: such as the substances you put directly into yourself.

Eating three donuts a day, chain-smoking, or shooting up hard drugs are quite obviously Bad Ideas. Some of the poisons we gobble down on a regular basis, however, are easily overlooked.

Such as caffeine.

I’m sorry to do this, folks, especially for us busy types who often stay up late and wake up early, and run around like chickens all day long. But I gotta make the call. Caffeine is damaging to the brain and body.

I started drinking coffee when I was 16 years old; working in an insurance office (everyone else was doing it). Being morning-challenged, the surge of energy was very welcoming—and it went well with my blueberry scone. Over time these types of “perks” would become a sort of staple in my day: a Monster here, a latte there, and most recently, chocolate covered espresso beans. I also discovered, to my lasting delight (6 hours, according to the label) the little, low-calorie Energy Shot.

For more than a decade now, whenever I have felt an annoying dip in energy, caffeine has been there. It has been a source of sustenance, endurance, and encouragement. However, my habit has been recently “put on blast,” thanks to National Caffeine Awareness Month and my lovely position here at the Wellness Center.

Information is insidious. It threatens to destroy my caffeine-induced bliss.

Here’s what I’ve learned.

Myth: Caffeine gives you a boost in energy

In fact: Caffeine does not increase your energy level. It only provides a chemical stimulation to your body. Caffeine increases the blood levels of stress hormones, which helps you overcome stressful or emergency situations. You may experience a brief "perceived" boost in energy, and then suffer from the side effects of such induced emergency state, including fatigue and irritability.

Myth: Caffeine gives you a lift in the mood

In fact: Caffeine gives you a short-term up lift in mood by increasing adrenaline in the body, but it will then make you more moody and irritable afterwards. Caffeine also results in stress that lasts throughout the day, anxiety, and even panic attacks or depression. It is like a short term blessing but a long-term curse.

Myth: Caffeine sharpens your mind

In fact: Caffeine constricts blood vessels in the brain, reduces oxygen flow to the brain by up to 30% and impairs memory retention.You may perceive yourself as being more alert, but your actual mental acuity and performance has deteriorated. Caffeine is also associated with hyperactivity, learning and behavioral disorders.

In addition, Caffeine:

• Increases blood pressure and blood cholesterol level , contributing to cardiovascular problems
• Has significant diuretic effects (excessive loss of water through urine), causing dehydration of cells—this results in premature aging (with wrinkles on skin), and impairment of the detoxification functions of the kidneys and liver.
• Affects the normal function of the gut lining, increasing ulcer risks
• Increases the loss of calcium, magnesium, zinc and other valuable minerals through the urinary and intestinal tracts. This results in higher risks of osteoporosis (the bones become less dense and more fragile), particularly among women.
• Impairs the absorption of iron from food, leading to anaemia due to iron deficiency.

The body has normal cycles of high and low energy during the day.
Learn to flow with these rhythms, rather than alter or avoid them.

I realize that, for many people, eliminating caffeine entirely is like catching a ball with no hands: Hard. I’m right there with you, my friends. Nonetheless, I truly want to be self-sustainable… to generate enough energy for the day without dependence on fossil fuels. Then there is the plain truth that caffeine is an addiction. And it costs money.

Perhaps the best I can do is to educate myself: truly digest the impact of caffeine on my health and peace of mind, and let awareness do the rest. Earlier today, while I struggled to stay awake during Spanish class, I contemplated the glory of a Chai Latte. Yet I also found myself considering the implications for my self-recovery. With this mindfulness, I let the craving pass without latching onto it, and moved on with my day. Only a short while later, I had energy again—clean, all-natural, with no harmful emissions.

DITCH CAFFEINE, GO GREEN!