I Smoke Weed, But I Don't Do Drugs

[telecom_goddess]

That's true about the migraine meds having caffeine I forgot about that. When I get one caffeine helps quite a bit. In addition to the meds.

[Boozy]

As a stimulant, it does put minor strain on the heart, just like any other stimulant. Over time this can lead to greater issues.

That's true, but like many drugs, the therapeutic effects can be more valuable than the side effects. For some people, anyway.

They add caffeine to a lot of migraine medications. Sometimes even a well-timed cup of coffee is enough to arrest a migraine for me.

But, yes, for the most part, it's not a big deal. Which can be argued for a number of non-sanctioned recreational substances as well.

Very true.

Not unless you're one of those assholes who won't talk to anyone "until I've had my coffee." Mom came to visit a few years back and whined the whole damn time that I didn't have a coffee maker. I miss caffeine, and the occasional cup of coffee, but really? You don't get a free pass to be an asshole until you get your daily dose of stimulants.

I agree, but I don't blame the caffeine. Some people just use caffeine withdrawal as a lousy excuse for bitchiness. I'm mildly cranky in the mornings before I've had my cup, but I'm perfectly polite to Mr. Boozy in the morning (who cheerily leaps out of bed at 6 am ready to greet the day).

When I stay with friends who don't drink coffee, I either bring my own instant, or I go out first thing in the morning to grab a take-out. I don't think guests should expect their hosts to provide specific food and drink items if they don't normally buy them.

[Andara Bledin]

I'm not hooked on the stuff by any means--I rarely have sodas at home.

It takes as little as 100mg of caffeine a day to form a physical (not to mention, psychological) dependence. That's about how much is in your typical cup of brewed coffee. Drip coffee has 40% more caffeine. It takes about 3 cans of soda to reach the same level. The reason that coffee drinkers "need" that wake up cup in the morning is because they've gone into minor withdrawal overnight.

At 5 times that level (>500mg) you can start suffering from caffeine intoxication. And toxicity can occur as low as 5g.

Here's an outstanding list of drinks and their caffeine content.

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[protege]

The only caffeine I consume now...is at work. Nope, not coffee--I can't stand the stuff. Most of what I consume is soda. Yeah, I know. But, it gives me an excuse to go outside, and get one from the C-store around the corner. Plus, with my sinuses all fucked up, the caffeine actually helps. It opens up the blood vessels, and I don't get as many headaches. I'm not hooked on the stuff by any means--I rarely have sodas at home. Work is different, it's either the crappy lighting or because it's so stuffy in there that I have problems. It's easier, and doesn't knock me on my ass like my headache meds do.

[AdminAssistant]

I would say more people than not have a caffeine "addiction", but its not really a problem, is it?

Not unless you're one of those assholes who won't talk to anyone "until I've had my coffee." Mom came to visit a few years back and whined the whole damn time that I didn't have a coffee maker. I miss caffeine, and the occasional cup of coffee, but really? You don't get a free pass to be an asshole until you get your daily dose of stimulants.

[Andara Bledin]

As a stimulant, it does put minor strain on the heart, just like any other stimulant. Over time this can lead to greater issues.

Plus, it's a physical dependency; one which a lot of people have a difficult time breaking both due to the week-long headache one gets when quitting, and the prevalence of it in most of what we drink.

But, yes, for the most part, it's not a big deal. Which can be argued for a number of non-sanctioned recreational substances as well.

^-.-^

[telecom_goddess]

I would say more people than not have a caffeine "addiction", but its not really a problem, is it? For 99.9% of people, this is an extremely mild dependency, and using caffeine has no negative effect on their life.

I have to agree with this statement....

[Boozy]

Most people don't know that a single cup of coffee every morning is enough caffeine to form a physical dependency.

I would say more people than not have a caffeine "addiction", but its not really a problem, is it? For 99.9% of people, this is an extremely mild dependency, and using caffeine has no negative effect on their life.

[ExRetailDrone]

Most people don't know that a single cup of coffee every morning is enough caffeine to form a physical dependency. It takes an average of 2 daily sodas. Tea requires much more and varies depending on the type.

^-.-^

I know I definitely used to have a physical dependency to caffeine. On average, I was drinking two 20-ounce bottles of soda a day. When I started trying to take better care of myself by eating better and drinking more water and less soda, it was really difficult to cut out the caffeine. I think I had a nasty headache for about a week straight that no pain-killers would even touch. That's the same reason that my mom simply cannot give up coffee, she can't handle the headaches. I used to smoke a lot of pot, and I have never felt any sort of physical dependence to it. When I quit smoking it, I had no ill effects like I did when I cut out caffeine.

[Andara Bledin]

wait....what? someone killed themselves abusing caffeine? How is that even possible?

It's a lot easier than most people realize, actually.

In his case, the caffeine was more the final straw than the only thing that killed him. But he was ingesting straight powdered caffeine additive, too.

Most people don't know that a single cup of coffee every morning is enough caffeine to form a physical dependency. It takes an average of 2 daily sodas. Tea requires much more and varies depending on the type.

^-.-^

[AdminAssistant]

My variety of health/weight problems combined with academically-induced high stress means that I can only have very small amounts of tea, soda, etc. Coffee is straight out. It makes me have heart palpitations.

[lordlundar]

Caffeine is actually pretty lethal in small quantities (I think even a gram can induce heart palpitations similar to crack), but coffee and tea have such miniscule amounts that you'd die from the water first. Energy drinks on the other hand contain relatively high levels and even having a few in a row can induce a heart attack in a healthy person. A pseudo supervisor (a rep from a company I was contracted to work with) would slam 2-3 of those back when we went to a site. I still can't figure out how he's still alive.

[telecom_goddess]

wait....what? someone killed themselves abusing caffeine? How is that even possible?

[crazylegs]

My uncle, who did a great many different substances in his day, managed to kill himself abusing caffeine.

^-.-^

Seeing as caffeine is a poison to stop insect from eating the pods it doesn't come as a suprise...

I think the big problem with this is that nobody really agrees about the definition of "drugs."

Well - the general consensus is anything that has a symptomatic effect on the human body. Based on this theraputic oxygen is classed as a drug which is why you have to be trained in its use.

Yet, ask him if he uses drugs. Anyone care to guess as to what his reply is?

Oh, and his current girlfriend is a cop.

She is putting her job at risk with every passing day of that relationship. She needs to get out or he needs to dump the cannabis - but we all know that ain't gonna happen.

[blas87]

So then, I only really smoked pot once or twice. I feel a lot better, now.

And I don't drink, then, ever.