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.
Sunday, August 3, 2025
Drugs
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Hi, Alexis! Your post certainly showed critical thinking; I appreciate how you connected the class material to your life and were able to provide such insightful commentary on the double standards society has on drugs. As we learned from this course, caffeine is, without a doubt, a psychoactive drug that alters humans’ mood and behavior, yet it is extremely normalized and consumed. I also appreciate how you stated that people can be seriously addicted to caffeine and suffer from physical withdrawal symptoms. My mom tried to stop drinking caffeine as per medical orders, and her behavior eerily resembled depictions of drug addicts in withdrawal fiending for another fix. Though it may sound extreme, those who need caffeine to go through their day contentedly ARE drug addicts, considering the substance is a psychoactive drug. Thank you again for your insights!
ReplyDeleteI mostly drink herbal teas because I have limited how much caffeine I can drink in a week. Coffee doesn't make me feel energized; it initially makes me sleepy, but after a while, the stimulant does kick in, waking me up.
ReplyDeleteHi Alexis,
ReplyDeleteYou brought up such a good point about how caffeine is often overlooked even though it is technically a drug. I never really thought about how normalized it is in our culture, especially starting from a young age. I also found it interesting that you mentioned the contradiction of avoiding coffee late in the day but still drinking soda at night. I do the same thing without realizing it. The video you mentioned really opened my eyes too, especially about how caffeine can influence our motivation and energy levels without us noticing. Your reflection made me want to be more mindful about how much I rely on caffeine and how it affects me.