Over-imbibed at a friends b'day Sat night. Sunday was a long drawn out headache with low energy even after food and Bloody Mary therapeutics. It wasn't until dragging myself to a D&D and ordering a large mocha did everything wrong snap into allllllllrrrrriiiiight.
As it happens, my intention wasn’t really to get everyone thinking about how I could handle my coffee addiction, which is totally a true and real thing, but to use my struggles with a silly (probably not that destructive) habit as a metaphor of sorts to better empathize with friends and family craving harsher drugs/behavior. But I guess that’s exactly what an addict in denial would say on why he’s sharing his story, isn’t it?
As it also happens, it’s not quite lunch here where I’m writing and I’ve already enjoyed an oat milk latte made at home, a mocha picked up while running some errands, a single shot of decaf espresso to go with some mini-stroopwafels, and I assume I’ll make myself an iced americano in an hour after I pick up my boys from preschool
Interesting. I've gotten too hopped up on coffee, screwing my equilibrium, but only when I start drinking more than one cup per day. If I stick to my regular one cup in the morning, things seem to go alright. Hope that non-decaf was good and didn't break your head.
Used to drink at least a full pot per day when working my way through undergrad (decades ago) to get me though a full course load each term.
Down to two mugs of espresso (stovetop perc) cut with water in the morning after drinking a liter of water.
One mug in the afternoon.
Occasional migraines since childhood interrupt that routine from time to time, but seems to be a good balance for me.
Not a health professional, but have you tried hydrating first thing in the morning? Most humans have been without water for at least the course of the night.
I definitely try to keep up on my water. I could do better. Sometimes, I get distracted in the morning and realize that I've only had one cup of coffee over 4 or 5 hours. Not good. But water solves it.
Starting with water is a great call. And your amount of coffee seems high for me, but not bad.
It's a funny paradox. People don't realize that when they start to drink coffee throughout the day, they start becoming MORE instead of LESS tired because they are reliant on the caffeine. I've been there. For now, once cuppa day works. If I'm feeling spicy, maybe two.
Here's the trick. (For me at least). Let me back up. Problem: if I drink regular strength coffee on a regular schedule, a miss a cup (say to sleeping in...rare these days, I know...), I end up with a full strength migraine for the rest of the day. Solution: I switched to half-caff. Doesn't taste yuck like decaf, yet, if I miss a cup, no headache. Plus, I can drink 14 cups without getting jittery. Genius, right?
and in case you’re wondering, I made myself a mocha before walking my daughter to school today and plan to make another latte when I return after dropping the boys off at preschool, so I can focus on cleaning the apartment of course!
You have no chance. After listening to this a few years ago I finally stopped trying to kick the habit. I love Audible, but I stopped subscribing right before the pandemic because I had a large backlog of books built up. Not enough time in the day...
I check out audiobooks from my library, but Audible also has a Sara Gran haunted house story exclusive, which I’ve been waiting to listen to. Sara Gran, imo, one of the best authors out there right now.
I must confess. I got a mocha already. (Not decaf).
Over-imbibed at a friends b'day Sat night. Sunday was a long drawn out headache with low energy even after food and Bloody Mary therapeutics. It wasn't until dragging myself to a D&D and ordering a large mocha did everything wrong snap into allllllllrrrrriiiiight.
As it happens, my intention wasn’t really to get everyone thinking about how I could handle my coffee addiction, which is totally a true and real thing, but to use my struggles with a silly (probably not that destructive) habit as a metaphor of sorts to better empathize with friends and family craving harsher drugs/behavior. But I guess that’s exactly what an addict in denial would say on why he’s sharing his story, isn’t it?
As it also happens, it’s not quite lunch here where I’m writing and I’ve already enjoyed an oat milk latte made at home, a mocha picked up while running some errands, a single shot of decaf espresso to go with some mini-stroopwafels, and I assume I’ll make myself an iced americano in an hour after I pick up my boys from preschool
Interesting. I've gotten too hopped up on coffee, screwing my equilibrium, but only when I start drinking more than one cup per day. If I stick to my regular one cup in the morning, things seem to go alright. Hope that non-decaf was good and didn't break your head.
Used to drink at least a full pot per day when working my way through undergrad (decades ago) to get me though a full course load each term.
Down to two mugs of espresso (stovetop perc) cut with water in the morning after drinking a liter of water.
One mug in the afternoon.
Occasional migraines since childhood interrupt that routine from time to time, but seems to be a good balance for me.
Not a health professional, but have you tried hydrating first thing in the morning? Most humans have been without water for at least the course of the night.
Drinking a liter of water in the morning is another one of those boxes on my healthy habits checklist that never gets crossed off
I definitely try to keep up on my water. I could do better. Sometimes, I get distracted in the morning and realize that I've only had one cup of coffee over 4 or 5 hours. Not good. But water solves it.
Starting with water is a great call. And your amount of coffee seems high for me, but not bad.
It's a funny paradox. People don't realize that when they start to drink coffee throughout the day, they start becoming MORE instead of LESS tired because they are reliant on the caffeine. I've been there. For now, once cuppa day works. If I'm feeling spicy, maybe two.
Here's the trick. (For me at least). Let me back up. Problem: if I drink regular strength coffee on a regular schedule, a miss a cup (say to sleeping in...rare these days, I know...), I end up with a full strength migraine for the rest of the day. Solution: I switched to half-caff. Doesn't taste yuck like decaf, yet, if I miss a cup, no headache. Plus, I can drink 14 cups without getting jittery. Genius, right?
You should check this out. Pollan basically ends up in the same place after a year: https://www.audible.com/pd/Caffeine-Audiobook/B083MVZ91Y
Okay, so I listened to Pollan’s Caffeine audiobook! Good stuff. Thanks for the recommendation:)
and in case you’re wondering, I made myself a mocha before walking my daughter to school today and plan to make another latte when I return after dropping the boys off at preschool, so I can focus on cleaning the apartment of course!
Nice! Really enjoyed that listen. Was the final liberation I needed to accept I'm addicted to stimulants.
Yes, and now I can catch up on some horror tales while I rush around surface cleaning
You’re saying Michael Pollan couldn’t give it up?! I’m doomed. You might make me finally activate an audible trial.
You have no chance. After listening to this a few years ago I finally stopped trying to kick the habit. I love Audible, but I stopped subscribing right before the pandemic because I had a large backlog of books built up. Not enough time in the day...
I check out audiobooks from my library, but Audible also has a Sara Gran haunted house story exclusive, which I’ve been waiting to listen to. Sara Gran, imo, one of the best authors out there right now.