For pretty much my entire 25 year life, I had always been under the impression that I never needed coffee, tea, energy drinks etc., to get me through the day. It always seemed unnecessary, or if I had too much it would make my heart explode. This also was before I had any real responsibilities in life and actually got the proper amount of sleep every night. But, as I have gotten older, I’ve realized that caffeine is one hell of a drug.
Does my body REALLY need caffeine to function? Absolutely not. Maybe it’s a mental thing, like Jub saying pickle juice doesn’t really cure cramps. Maybe I think it really gives me laser focus and a new energy that I have never had before. Probably not. Maybe I just really like the taste of the drinks. But I know damn well everyday before work I will find myself in a roadside Sunoco or Sheetz putting a 16oz, $3.19 Ghost Energy Drink on the counter, hoping that 200mg of caffeine will vault me through the day.
I think I would feel differently if I was drinking a Venti Iced Mocha Salted Caramel Sweet Cream Cold Brew with 5 shots of espresso and 8 pumps of syrup for $7.59 and 300 calories. No, no, these Ghost Energy Drinks that I mentioned have zero sugar and are only 10 calories. Cheaper and less calories so why not, right! I’m sure I’m putting some other horrible chemical into my body but who cares.
I hate to say that I am addicted to it, but I am definitely addicted to it. There are a lot worse things that I could be addicted to though.