Cancel Caffeine

It’s no secret caffeine has negative effects. Too much of the stimulant can lead to restlessness, anxiety, tremors, trouble sleeping and more, according to Heathline. And yet, when I tell my friends to stop drinking it, they just roll their eyes and ignore my advice. 

I hear responses like, “I can’t function without it” and “I need it.” Caffeine is an addictive drug — but it’s possible to stop drinking it.

Requiring gross dining hall coffee or an overpriced energy drink just to get through the day is no way to live. When I look around my morning classes, all I see are caffeinated drinks scattered across my classmates’ desks. 

The primary reason many choose to drink caffeine is because they don’t get enough sleep. But working toward getting the right amount of sleep and prioritizing time awake can prevent having to depend on caffeine every day. 

The negative side effects of caffeine are prominent. Firstly, it can lead to feeling anxious and jittery due to its effects on the cardiovascular system. It also leads to digestive issues, trouble sleeping and tooth and gum decay, according to Medical News Today. 

Coffee specifically yellows teeth. The drink also dries out the mouth, having the mouth produce less saliva, which is necessary for fighting off cavities and gum production due to its acidity, according to Kirkland Dental Excellence. 

Caffeine can make diabetes, osteoporosis or other heart issues worse, according to Aurora Health Care. It can also cause extreme dehydration — forcing people to run to the bathroom more. 

Pregnant women are told not to drink caffeine because too much of it can increase the risk of a miscarriage, according to Heathline. It can also increase the possibility of low weight birth and later life obesity, according to the National Institutes of Health. 

Caffeine consumption can be a primary inhibitor for students trying to fix their sleep schedules. They might drink multiple cups a day into the evening or late afternoon, making it nearly impossible to fall asleep at night — the vicious cycle doesn’t end. 

Feuling yourself through caffeine every day can also create budget issues. 

One popular energy drink brand, Alani Nu, costs $2.89 per can at Target. If a student buys an energy drink five days a week for the 14 academic weeks of a semester, they would’ve spent more than $200 on energy drinks in that semester alone. 

Coffee poses an even greater expense. If a student orders a caffé latte from Starbucks five times a week, they’re spending around $325 per semester. And that’s without tax. 

Many argue they make coffee at home, so it’s supposedly much cheaper. But coffee-making machines can cost anywhere from $20 to even $280 from Amazon. And several of them require pods or extra coffee powder. 

And having your own coffee pot means it’s easier to drink coffee whenever you want — which can very quickly turn into too much joe. 

If caffeine is just a fun drink to look forward to in the morning — something to jumpstart your day — then why not try decaf? It’s still an added expense, but switching to decaf is more harmless than 100% caffeine. 

Not drinking caffeine may be the needed solution. It could be surprising how much of the world is the same without detrimental and anxiety-inducing caffeine constantly running through your veins.