Comment by rdegges | Hacker News Reader

Comment by rdegges | Hacker News Reader

Ah... Fuck. I feel like this is the signal I've been waiting for all these years :(

Since 2006 (in uni), when I was first introduced to energy drinks, I've been more or less addicted to them ever since. I even go so far as to regulate my consumption of them in cycles to get the most I can out of it: https://www.rdegges.com/2011/my-use-and-abuse-of-caffeine/

I never really liked the taste of coffee much (without loads of cream and sugar/splenda), so energy drinks were a happy medium because they taste really good, they come in lots of 0 sugar / calorie varieties (which is great when you're trying to stay in shape), and give you a LOT of caffeine per serving which makes me feel super high: happy, productive, focused.

Since 2006, I've probably had roughly 2 energy drinks per day (and over the last few years: maybe 4).

So... This really sucks.

I always "felt" like they were bad for me, but never really did any research as I knew it would most likely make me stop drinking them.

It's surprisingly easy to convince yourself not to look into something so you can continue justifying your actions. But now, I suppose, the fun is up.

It's really time I start being more careful with myself :(

Be careful while you wean yourself off your addiction. Drink plenty of water and take a few naps when the headaches come. You'll be fine after a day or two.

If you want to be awake during the day, then get at least seven hours of sleep a night, preferably eight. If you really need caffeine some days, have one or two cups of coffee or black tea, no sugar added. But don't have caffeine every day or you'll regain that addiction. If your work schedule doesn't allow this, then accept that you are shortening your life and decreasing your quality of life for the sake of your work.

It's your life, make your decisions accordingly.

Thanks for the useful comment! I'll definitely do this.

Maybe back when I was getting started I'd continue it to be a 'cost of business', but at this point in my life? No way! I'd rather be healthy / happy / more balanced.

I appreciate the advice =)

The evidence against coffee is inconclusive.

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to imply coffee was harmful. I was warning against a recurring chemical addiction to caffeine, which, speaking from experience, is very real.

You'll think you've become free, but all it takes is the right super-sale to bring you back: http://imgur.com/AxILSxw

If you're just in it for caffeine, I occasionally quit carbonated drinks and substitute with water or tea and 200mg caffeine pills.

Pills also have the advantage of more consistent dosage vs tea/coffee. Plus no calories, cheaper, and no taste so you won't find yourself going back just for the flavor.

Pills also have the disadvantage that it is much, much easier to overdose on pills than tea/coffee.

I would advise learning to enjoy the taste of coffee. Yes, all people are different but most people come to develop a taste for tea & coffee, which becomes a rewarding hobby of sorts.

You say that you don't like coffee: have you tried green tea? There's plenty of caffeine in normal green tea, and even more so in the like of Kabusecha or Gyokuro. Though I'm not sure I would recommend the latter for everyday consumption: it really has a lot of caffeine in it.

Black tea should work too. I personally don't like it much unless it comes with a heavy does of something else to mask the taste... but if you like it go for it!

Another reason to go easy on macha is lead, tea leaves often contain it, but it doesn't dissolve into your tea[1]. Macha-s let you digest a lot more leaf. Another option for people who want serious caffeine is yerba mate, which you can buy by the kilo quite cheaply. I find it too strong, but I gave up coffee years ago, too - green / white / oolong / black tea is plenty for me.

1: http://www.green-tea-guide.com/green-tea-lead.html

Black tea actually has about double the caffeine of typical green tea.

Hey buddy,

I gave up on coffee after 2 years of having easily 6 coffees per day (espressos mostly). I had headaches and I wasn't as snappy as before for a few weeks, but now I feel much better.

I still drink coffee some times, but if I have one I have trouble sleeping that night. I instead have tea, which is one of the side effects of moving to England too ;-), and it works wonders to keep me responsive after lunch without affecting my sleep at night. They also taste great.

The best thing for me is that I now have a very good sleep every night as caffeine doesn't disturb it.

Take it easy, but get most of the caffeine out of your body. You'll feel great.

I must be one lucky bastard then - it seems that I can't get addicted to almost anything, be it cigarettes, alcohol, or energy drinks. I did have once a alcohol problem, but I can hardly call that addiction.

I like coffee a lot, but I don't crave it, and recently I had cut it out completely - my blood pressure got out of control, and once I almost fainted in the office (I had 160/100). Getting rid of stress, coffee, and a blood donation did wonders.

Be careful! I've never really been 'addicted' to anything other than caffeine. I've smoked cigars, etc., but never felt any sort of urge.

With caffeine though, it really elevates my mood, and makes me feel happy, and I think that has a lot to do with it.

Just be cautious and don't assume you won't get addicted to something! <33

for such high caffeine usage, you should really just commit to black coffee: an efficient, 0 calorie caffeine delivery system. dealing with a bad taste is much easier than having to deal with health issues down the road. plus, i imagine you'll end up getting used to the taste and liking it, just be sure to ask for the light roast.

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