oh, ok

[lauralh]

The day I went in to get my tooth fixed I didn't have but one Diet Coke, no coffee/tea or whatever, and then I woke up with a headache on the other side of my face. I was all "wtf" and went to work, still not drinking any caffeinated beverages b/c of the temperature sensitivity fear, and it just got worse and worse till I thought I was going to vomit. So I went home early and Reg gave me a Dr. Pepper and some advil and that seemed to actually help. This morning I woke up with the head still hurting a bit, jaw not even worth complaining over, and coffee has helped tremendously. So, I guess it's official: I'm addicted to caffeine.

Comments

[deadflowers.livejournal.com]

but where did you get your tooth fixed? i need some of the same.

[herbaliser.livejournal.com]

http://www.psnhc.org/page/52/clinic_dental

[tyrven.livejournal.com]

I have so much to say on this, but I'm sure you've heard it all before so I'll keep my soapbox in the closet.

[herbaliser.livejournal.com]

huh? no clue.

My Soapbox,

[tyrven.livejournal.com]

Caffiene (and the closely related corn syrup, used in most sodas) are linked to many common American health problems, most notably headaches and weight gain - as well as a number of other issues stemming from chronic dehydration (since many people replace water with caffeinated beverages they end up with a minimal net gain of water). When you see things like Survivor and people are feeling like shit, it's usually a result of withdrawal symptoms not adjusting to the wild. The miltary, apparently, has also seen this in bootcamp and survival training.

I used to get headaches on a daily basis until I cut out caffeine; now I get them about twice a year (the last two times happening to coincide with Wednesday and also Ashley's birthday party, for some unidentified reason). I also am a lot more alert and have very few sinus problems (which used to be chronic due to dehydration).

The funny thing: people like to make a big deal about the fact that Coke used to contain cocaine because, you know, cocaine is a big evil hardcore highly addictive drug and it's unthinkable that people would use it in a commercial product. Now that I haven't had caffeine (regularly) for five years, however, I find that a cup of black tea, for instance, has nearly the same effect as any variety of alternative stimulants (with just about the same come-down effects). Caffeine is probably not that different than cocaine, but since the world has developed a tolerance, no one notices that.

YOUR MILEAGE MAY VARY

[herbaliser.livejournal.com]

As you know, I was raised mormon, so I have my own "control group" as it were. I have some of those symptoms, but not many, and I still have a very low tolerance to caffeine. Just one cup of coffee or two diet sodas is enough to stave off headaches.

Re: YOUR MILEAGE MAY VARY

[tyrven.livejournal.com]

I think a lot of the negative symptoms come about when people really abuse it. Like when I was at MS it was not uncommon for people (myself included) to drink 6-8 sodas a day since they were free, cold and available.

Re: YOUR MILEAGE MAY VARY

[herbaliser.livejournal.com]

monday i had 2 teas and 40 oz. of diet coke. I woke up after five hours of sleep!

[thesadpunk.livejournal.com]

A part of me wishes you would have had the dental work done in Mexico, just so I'd know someone with a gold tooth.

[herbaliser.livejournal.com]

that's different dental work

[thesadpunk.livejournal.com]

So there's still hope?

[herbaliser.livejournal.com]

er, no, i want to get some extractions.

[thesadpunk.livejournal.com]

Hey can we stay in your place while you're gone?

(frozen)

[herbaliser.livejournal.com]

... no.

Re: Coca-Cola and cocaine

[ravenword.livejournal.com]

The method of delivery is key for stimulants. Taking cocaine orally (by chewing coca leaves as they do in South America, or by adding it to a soda) is a slower delivery system and doesn't hit with a sudden "rush" like when the drug is smoked or absorbed across epithelial membranes (as in nose candy). My pharmacology professor described the effect of oral ingestion of cocaine as something akin to the stimulant effects of coffee. (The net effect depends on the dose, of course, but drinking your coffee wires you up more gradually, is the point.)

So Laural, consider doing lines of crushed No-Doz to feed your habit.

Re: Coca-Cola and cocaine

[herbaliser.livejournal.com]

well, works faster, but wears off faster too. I mean, i would assume.

Re: YOUR MILEAGE MAY VARY

[jimbojones.livejournal.com]

I think it's important to make sure you can shuck any particular possibly addictive substance every now and then by doing completely without it for at least a couple of weeks and seeing if there are any adverse reactions.

So far, so good.

[herbaliser.livejournal.com]

where's the fun in that?

Re: Coca-Cola and cocaine

[velvet.livejournal.com]

Your pharmacology professor was a bloody fool. Chewing the leaves of a the coca plant will allow the alkaloid to be processed into your body at approximately the same rate as that typical of a caffeinated drink, but actually orally ingesting cocaine will wire you extremely quickly, after a period of inaction during which it's being absorbed. Unlike caffeine, it doesn't need to be processed by the digestive system, but can be absorbed directly into the tissues and thence to the bloodstream.

Also, The method of delivery is key for any damn drug, not just stimulants. For example, caffeine (esp. in the form of tablets with high levels of binder, such as No-Doz) isn't effectively processed by the nasal epithelial membranes. The greatest effect you'd get from that method of deliery would be due to ingestion via post-nasal drip. You'd end up with a sore throat, a bit of a buzz, and a painfully stuffy nose.

Better luck next time.

[jimbojones.livejournal.com]

Getting to go right back to indulging afterwards without having to worry that you might be addicted?

[velvet.livejournal.com]

What the hell's wrong with addiction?

Re: Coca-Cola and cocaine

[chris.livejournal.com]

oh man you do not want to snort caffienne.

Re: My Soapbox,

[chris.livejournal.com]

smoking is kinda the same. things i've noticed quitting and starting again occasionally, is that the pounding headaches associated with hangovers almost completely dissapear if you dont smoke, and that the effect of about 4 cigarettes in an evening when you aren't used to them is kind of like cheap speed.

[readalljournals.livejournal.com]

No Journal Left Behind (http://www.livejournal.com/users/readalljournals/2005/03/05/) is a Mission to read every single LiveJournal.
Come watch the hubris at readalljournals.
Your journal was just read. One more closer to the goal.

[herbaliser.livejournal.com]

wow, out of all the LJs that are being read, mine was one!
heh.