Been there, done that, so I'll give you my take on it, purely anecdotal and based on personal experience attempting to ditch the filthy black goo for a period longer than a month or two.
Essentially... all of the above when stopping the caffeine habit. I don't think people realize how addicted they are (or their nervous system is) until they try to ditch any type of stimulant. And how much their body and brain and social routine is diverted to accommodate the drug habit into their daily lives.
Some people have a stronger response to every day stimulants than others. I am one of these people and so the habit can be equivalent to regular consumption of cocaine or meth with similar effects and added difficulty when attempting to withdraw from its use.
In my case., I use caffeine as a "medical treatment" to combat chronic fatigue so when I tried to stop using it (because the effects can tip too far the other way) the calm after the storm of severe withdrawal symptoms can be quite soothing and a welcome return to "how things should be" ... BUT ... again, in my case, maybe not in others, the vacuum that it leaves is overwhelmingly negative and unproductive, a kind of peaceful nothingness, zero creative impulse and dare I say, a little sadness creeps in.
Maybe that's why humans have adapted to consuming all kinds of substances to regulate this, that or the other in their very unique biochemical islands.
Anyway, I'm back on the black sauce until further notice after that little experiment, but I've made a mental note that it's definitely preferable not to be under the spell of these substances if one can manage without.
Happy Substack Anniversary. Your book is on my top shelf (reserved for the best of the best.) Thank you for all you do.
Happy Anniversary and Congratulations Dawn!
Thank you for all you do lovely:-)
Thank you for all your support Magz. It is greatly appreciated. 🙏
It's the least I can do to help promote your work hun:-)
Happy 1st Birthday, my friend!
It was you who encouraged me to set up my Substack, so thank you very much, my friend. 🙏
I'd forgotten that! How cool. My pleasure!
Been there, done that, so I'll give you my take on it, purely anecdotal and based on personal experience attempting to ditch the filthy black goo for a period longer than a month or two.
Essentially... all of the above when stopping the caffeine habit. I don't think people realize how addicted they are (or their nervous system is) until they try to ditch any type of stimulant. And how much their body and brain and social routine is diverted to accommodate the drug habit into their daily lives.
Some people have a stronger response to every day stimulants than others. I am one of these people and so the habit can be equivalent to regular consumption of cocaine or meth with similar effects and added difficulty when attempting to withdraw from its use.
In my case., I use caffeine as a "medical treatment" to combat chronic fatigue so when I tried to stop using it (because the effects can tip too far the other way) the calm after the storm of severe withdrawal symptoms can be quite soothing and a welcome return to "how things should be" ... BUT ... again, in my case, maybe not in others, the vacuum that it leaves is overwhelmingly negative and unproductive, a kind of peaceful nothingness, zero creative impulse and dare I say, a little sadness creeps in.
Maybe that's why humans have adapted to consuming all kinds of substances to regulate this, that or the other in their very unique biochemical islands.
Anyway, I'm back on the black sauce until further notice after that little experiment, but I've made a mental note that it's definitely preferable not to be under the spell of these substances if one can manage without.
Imagine there's a coffee shortage one day...
Thank you for sharing your experience.
I agree with your comment that it's preferable not to be under the spell of coffee, or any other substance for that matter.