Every morning you roll out of bed with a raging headache. You stumble and fumble around the hallway and head to the kitchen in search of any K-cup, percolator or whatever it is that allows you to smell and hear the beautiful sound of freshly made coffee. 

The moment you take that first sip, everything is so much clearer and your mood suddenly shifts. That headache you used to have goes away. You may now operate normally as a member of society.

A study done by unitedbrainassociation.org has shed light on the alarming prevalence of caffeine addiction, with “90% of Americans are dependent on consuming coffee, tea, energy drinks, and other caffeinated beverages to function.”

From college students pulling all-nighters to professionals seeking an extra edge at work, the allure of caffeine is undeniable. That daily venti latte or energy drink fix might be causing more harm than we realize. Chronic caffeine consumption has been linked to a laundry list of not-so-fabulous side effects.

According to unitedbrainassociation.org “Caffeine can cause various adverse effects, including nervousness, insomnia, increased heart rate, and an upset stomach.” 

By definition, addiction is a persistent and intense urge to use or engage in a behavior that produces natural reward. It is not just the physical side effects caused by caffeine addiction that are concerning. It is the fact that it can mess with your brain too, hijacking your reward system and leaving you feeling like a grumpy zombie without your morning fix.

However, perhaps the most insidious thing about caffeine addiction is how sneaky it can be. Unlike your typical illegal substances, caffeine is legal, socially acceptable, and available on almost every street corner. It slowly but surely has worked its way into most people’s diet.

So, what is a caffeine lover to do? You can either go cold turkey and stop drinking caffeine, but that would be a long and difficult road. Instead, drink in moderation, monitoring your caffeine intake, and gradually but steadily removing it from your diet. And hey, if all else fails, there is always decaf. Just kidding. Nobody actually drinks decaf, right?