Drugs

I find it really interesting how we’re taught from a young age that drugs are bad yet one of the most widely used psychoactive stimulants in the world, caffeine, is accepted and even encouraged. It can be found in coffee, tea, sodas, energy drinks, and chocolate. For many people drinking coffee is a daily habit that starts in high school. Even though caffeine can lead to dependence and withdrawal symptoms, it’s something that isn’t talked about much. Caffeine makes people feel more alert, energized, and clear-headed, which explains why people drink it to start their day. I personally have always tried to limit how much caffeine I consume. For example, I try not to drink coffee too late in the day because it affects how much I sleep. But interestingly, I don’t think twice about drinking soda at night, even though it also contains caffeine. Watching the video "Your Brain On Caffeine" (https://youtu.be/V2Aj-iJ6p38) made me realize how caffeine can influence our behavior and motivation without noticing. Caffeine affects our brain chemistry by people to feel good for a short period of time.