Coffee is an extremely popular beverage among college students, with 40% of students reporting that they drink at least one cup a day according to a recent study conducted by New Hampshire University.
This trend holds true for Capital students as well, where students have access to a number of cafes and dining areas serving coffee both on and off campus. For some Capital students, the habit of drinking coffee developed even before college, back in middle school.
“I started drinking in 8th grade… (and) now I drink two cups a day” said Leah Marty, junior.
Many others students reported drinking coffee even earlier, some as early as the 6th grade.
Coffee is not a substance that can be regularly used without experiencing the side effects of caffeine however, and caffeine itself acts as a defensive pesticide plants use to paralyze and kill harmful insects.
In humans, caffeine can cause blurred vision, anxiety, tremors, irritability, and accelerated heartbeat, lethargy, depression, constipation, and muscle pain, among other side effects. Many students have reported experiencing these side effects, and the effects of caffeine withdrawal.
“I wouldn’t say I am addicted, but I think the nature of addiction is that you don’t know you are addicted until you stop drinking coffee … I need it to be productive … Sometimes I can’t sleep well [because of coffee] … [and)] a lot of times I want to go to bed at 4 p.m.” said Nick Bochenek, senior.
“Oh yeah, I am terribly addicted. I get bad headaches when I don’t have coffee” said Marty.
Many of these side effects result from how caffeine affects chemicals present in the brain. For example, adenosine, which promotes sleep, is blocked from reaching its receptors within the brain by caffeine. In response to this blockage, the body produces more dopamine, which in turn produces adrenaline causing the body to feel more awake. With time the body adds more adenosine receptors in response to the caffeine, which increases the body’s tolerance towards caffeine. When someone misses their morning coffee however, the body has too much adenosine and this causes many of the withdrawal symptoms.
In spite of these potential side effects, some students continue to drink coffee regularly, even those who agree that coffee itself is an unpleasant beverage.
“There is not good coffee here. I tried the coffee in SA, and it is not very good … Ever since Cup O’Joe closed [we only have] … Starbucks, which I am not a fan of,” said John Bogner, senior.
“I drink it black, coffee is pragmatically useful. I drink it for the caffeine … It does not have to [taste good],” said Bochenek.
Other students are more particular about what they drink.
“My favorite flavors are cinnamon coffee or French Doughnut,” said Marty.
“I don’t think I am dependent or addicted to coffee … however I really do get cravings for good coffee,” said Bogner.
Other students have created ways to further energize their coffee. For example, “bullet coffee” is comprised of butter, coconut oil, and coffee and is used especially by those who don’t have time to grab breakfast.
Coffee can also affect students financially.
“I spend at least two dollars a day, ten dollars a week, on coffee,” said Marty.
Other students buy coffee in bulk to cut the cost, but after months the cost can still add up for cash-strapped students.
Despite the research pointing out the negative aspects of coffee, students will likely continue to utilize it for its positive attributes, and caffeine will continue to hold the title of most widely used drug in the world.
