2008 Woodie Awards
Caffeinated drinks lead to habitual use among students
Charlie Peppers
Issue date: 9/21/07 Section: FUSE
Originally published: 9/20/07 at 6:40 PM EST
Last update: 9/20/07 at 6:39 PM EST
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The chocolate-laden aroma of coffee encompasses your senses.
The aquired taste of your favorite energy drink lurks in your mouth.
Suddenly your hand is snaking deep into your pocket, rooting about for change to spend on a latte.
Soon all your previous, and possibly important, thoughts are lost in a haze of desire; the overpowering need for caffeine demands instant gratification.
This is the result of a presumably innocent addiction - what is the harm in enjoying a mere cup o' Joe?
Everyone has a daily indulgence that has become entrenched in their routine.
What most do not know is that caffeine is rooted in the same stimulant family as cocaine - thus making it a drug.
"Caffeine is the most used drug in the world." Jerimy Blowers, a resident health educator, said.
Caffeine, a potent stimulant, kicks up both the heart and respiratory rates, which sufficiently boasts the energy of the user.
This makes it a valuable tool for college students, who constantly need motivation to either attend morning classes, or stay awake during all-nighters. This combination leads to students not getting enough sleep, thus needing an extra pick-me-up during longer days.
Instantaneously energized, plowing through school work and taking tests in class becomes much easier for the said students.
These students, such as freshman Ian Morrison, can sometimes view the effects of caffine as being positive.
"Four cups of soda, two cups of coffee - used to take caffeine pills for work, mostly," he said. "When I get tired, I think it'll help me be more awake."
This tool can quickly become a burden; the bothersome itch that one cannot help scratching when the eyes start to get heavy.
"Caffeine has sneaked its way into the daily routine of many college students," Blowers said. It's true that most college students unconsciously pump caffeine into their systems; substituting chocolate ice cream for side orders in every meal.
The aquired taste of your favorite energy drink lurks in your mouth.
Suddenly your hand is snaking deep into your pocket, rooting about for change to spend on a latte.
Soon all your previous, and possibly important, thoughts are lost in a haze of desire; the overpowering need for caffeine demands instant gratification.
This is the result of a presumably innocent addiction - what is the harm in enjoying a mere cup o' Joe?
Everyone has a daily indulgence that has become entrenched in their routine.
What most do not know is that caffeine is rooted in the same stimulant family as cocaine - thus making it a drug.
"Caffeine is the most used drug in the world." Jerimy Blowers, a resident health educator, said.
Caffeine, a potent stimulant, kicks up both the heart and respiratory rates, which sufficiently boasts the energy of the user.
This makes it a valuable tool for college students, who constantly need motivation to either attend morning classes, or stay awake during all-nighters. This combination leads to students not getting enough sleep, thus needing an extra pick-me-up during longer days.
Instantaneously energized, plowing through school work and taking tests in class becomes much easier for the said students.
These students, such as freshman Ian Morrison, can sometimes view the effects of caffine as being positive.
"Four cups of soda, two cups of coffee - used to take caffeine pills for work, mostly," he said. "When I get tired, I think it'll help me be more awake."
This tool can quickly become a burden; the bothersome itch that one cannot help scratching when the eyes start to get heavy.
"Caffeine has sneaked its way into the daily routine of many college students," Blowers said. It's true that most college students unconsciously pump caffeine into their systems; substituting chocolate ice cream for side orders in every meal.
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