Anxiety or Caffeineism


Source: Am. J. Psychiatry, Oct. 1974

This is an old article from the American Journal of Psychiatry which identifies an intriguing dilemma. Like the chocolate article, this one points to what many of us know.

The article talks about the effects of caffeine withdrawal. "Coffee drinkers described a typical set of dysphoric symptoms if they omitted their morning coffee. Symptoms included irritability, inability to work effectively, nervousness, lethargy, and restlessness." Of course these descriptions are no surprise to us. But think about the vulnerability you have to marketing when you are experiencing these symptoms.

Why is it that coffee stores have added a HUGE size which is identified by some lyrical Italian name? The small size is being dropped. You all now understand the effect of the brain's downregulation. You need more to achieve the same effect. No longer are you seeking a coffee "buzz", but only relief from the symptoms described above.

(c) Kathleen DesMaisons 2006 All Rights Reserved