Do you consider caffeine a drug?

[ShatteredWings]

On the one hand;
It's a stimulant, most of us know this.
It can be physically addictive
as it's a stimulant, it can raise your heart rate and has been known to put people in the hospital due to heart problems (Redbull,specifically has been studied (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article4537831.ece))

On the other;
It's legal (adur)
Most things are safe in moderate usage.
Its generally less dangerous than alcohol (unless mixed with)


I'm not looking for a debate, but if it turns into one I'll move the thread.

[MoveAlong]

"Therad". Just sayin'.

Well I sort of consider drugs "bad" things that can be abused, but that doesn't really make sense because not all drugs are bad, and some drugs are bad only if you abuse them.

Even though caffeine is well in the definition of a drug, I don't consider it a drug because it's in so many products. Eh but that's just me.

[Kiko]

I guess I think of it as being on the same level as an OTC painkiller. When I "take" it I don't really think of it as a particularly altering substance. However, I realize that it's doing something to my body that makes me feel different, and I always make a point to use it in moderation.

I don't have a coffee addiction, I drink it maybe once a week or if I have a test at school because it helps me focus :)

[Black Eight]

I think caffeine is definitely a drug. Like you said, it's a stimulant and is addictive. Although it's in so many products, it's taken to alter your state of being, like any other drug.

[ShatteredWings]

"Therad". Just sayin'.
Thanks, wiseass. :P
Fixed.

[Charleigh]

no i wouldnt call it a drug.
its not like you depend on it, you live for it, you need it to breath and get through your everyday life. and if you do, well ... i guess your blood is made from coffee

[ShatteredWings]

You can also get it into tablets, gum, sodas, some medications

[deadpie]

Caffeine (also spelled caffein) is a bitter, white crystalline xanthine alkaloid that is a psychoactive stimulant drug.

Yeah, it's a drug. So is Tylenol. So is every medication ever.

Do I consider caffeine to be a horrible recreational drug like PCP? No. That's pretty obvious.

[Preacher]

no, otherwise I would be a drug addict :P

[ShatteredWings]

Yeah, it's a drug. So is Tylenol. So is every medication ever.

Do I consider caffeine to be a horrible recreational drug like PCP? No. That's pretty obvious.

alright, do you consider it with pot/alcohol/nicotine?

[Zazu]

Yes, by definition it is.

Lots of people are addicted to it also.

[smalltowngirl9189]

To meh I wouldn't consider it a drug because 1) DUR no prescribtion 2) Doesn't give you the feeling of a drug..

[wtblife]

Depends what you mean, in a sense of sobriety, no I don't. I try to avoid using more troubling stims and just drink tea when I can, but with any drug I try to not use constantly. I don't see it the same way I see a lot of other drugs, don't think much of it and what not. I guess in general I wouldn't consider it one so much, but I mean it is obviously a drug so it's kind of a weird question.

I would consider it's effects more mild than pot or alcohol and I consider both pretty low on the "drug list" lol. I would maybe put it with nicotine effect wise, but nicotine is much more severe dependence wise. I guess I consider higher doses of caffeine like energy drinks or caffeine pills more drug-like though... A small dose of a caffeine is just above sugar imo lol.

[staying_alive]

Caffeine is most definitely a drug, and it is abused. People who get headaches when they don't have their morning coffee are a great example of hardcore abusers.

Society today tries to teach us that drugs very defined and do you obvious harm. Weed, Heroin, Cocaine, Alcohol are all OBVIOUSLY drugs. However, caffeine is abused daily to keep us awake, get us moving, and make us feel good. As was pointed out, it does damage to your body over time.

Also, to wtblife, you are not "sober" when on caffeine. Sobriety is a common misconception in the 21st century. We think alcohol and weed, becuase they're depressants, define what "isn't sober". However, stimulants alter a state of mind, and therefore alter someones sobriety.

I would like to add that I abuse caffeine every day to get through work, studying, etc. I also take stims for ADHD so that compounds the problem. I don't care if people use caffeine, I just wish the ignorance would end; caffeine is a drug, plain and simple.

[wtblife]

Also, to wtblife, you are not "sober" when on caffeine. Sobriety is a common misconception in the 21st century. We think alcohol and weed, becuase they're depressants, define what "isn't sober". However, stimulants alter a state of mind, and therefore alter someones sobriety.

Obviously, it's a drug and all, I was just saying in most situations I don't usually consider it that way. When I've been off drugs for a while, I'm not going to say I haven't been clean or sober just because I've been drinking tea every once in a while. I spent a good few years being a tweaker even before getting into the whole meth scene, I would never mistake the effects of a stimulant for sobriety.

My sense of sobriety is mostly a lie and I'm aware of it, there are quite a few drugs I don't count, but it mainly depends on the person... Like for me, I consider the occasional use of anything that isn't too hard still being clean, I consider even regular prescription amphetamines breaking that sobriety though because amphetamines are my DOC. I guess I only make a fuss bout that stuff if there is or was an addiction involved. Idk, just ignore this explanation lol.

[The Joker]

On the other;
It's legal (adur)
Most things are safe in moderate usage.
Its generally less dangerous than alcohol (unless mixed with)

>implying it has to be considered "bad" to be a drug

[eatthis9999]

caffeine is a stimulating Drug. It is addictive and has the properties to kill as well as recent decissions that some caffeine has been put on a Drug limitation order ie same as beer and smoking (this makes it a controled substance(drug)) this therfore makes it a drug

[Peace God]

It most certainly is a drug... it's even more addictive, more harmful to your body and kills more people than some illegal drugs.

[staying_alive]

It most certainly is a drug... it's even more addictive, more harmful to your body and kills more people than some illegal drugs.

Source?

I agree that it's a drug and that it's addictive & harmful, but saying it kills more people than illegal drugs needs some backup...

[ManAmongHippos]

no i wouldnt call it a drug.
its not like you depend on it, you live for it, you need it to breath and get through your everyday life. and if you do, well ... i guess your blood is made from coffee

You have no idea what you're talking about when it comes to substances or caffeine.

Caffeine is not the same thing as coffee, it's pretty much a controlled substance.
There are tutorials online about how to extract the caffeine tar from coffee grounds. (The pure caffeine chemical)
When smoked it gives a HEAVY rush comparable to the rush of Crack, not to mention it's also addictive and as mentioned before brings your heart rate up very high, as does Crack.

It's not different just because it's legal, if you can extract and smoke it, it's definitely a drug. Our soft drinks and coffee just only have enough to give you a small rush and just enough to keep the addiction going.

[Zazu]

Source?

I agree that it's a drug and that it's addictive & harmful, but saying it kills more people than illegal drugs needs some backup...

Source on your idea that it is in fact LESS harmful than illegal drugs?

[Donkey]

Source?

I agree that it's a drug and that it's addictive & harmful, but saying it kills more people than illegal drugs needs some backup...
Hurr, durr.

Here's one time someone has died from a caffeine overdose: http://www.themoneytimes.com/featured/20101104/caffeine-overdose-kills-young-brit-id-10140437.html (obviously there are more, it kills hundreds if not thousands each year)

Cannabis has never directly killed anyone (if you smoke it, it's your choice - you also have the choice to vaporize): http://drugwarfacts.org/cms/?q=node/30

[Peace God]

...saying it kills more people than illegal drugs needs some backup...
Not when it's common knowledge that drugs like weed, acid and shrooms aren't lethal. Caffeine does kill, I remember reading that it kills around 1,000 to 10,000 Americans annually. But since, I can't find that specific source atm, here's a half-assed one from a biased website...the stats seem legit though.

TOBACCO …………………… 400,000
ALCOHOL …………………… 100,000
ALL LEGAL DRUGS ………….20,000
ALL ILLEGAL DRUGS ……….15,000
CAFFEINE …………………….2,000
ASPIRIN ………………………500
MARIJUANA …………………. 0
—————————————-
Source: United States government…
National Institute on Drug Abuse,
Bureau of Mortality Statistics

...from here (http://legalizationofmarijuana.com/).

[Daniel_]

Technically it's a drug, but my body is so used to it it's like whatever.

But, yes.

[staying_alive]

Source on your idea that it is in fact LESS harmful than illegal drugs?

I didn't intend to start an argument, I just have never seen facts about caffeine vs. illegal drugs. I don't remember saying that statistically it's less harmful but if I did I apologize.

Hurr, durr.

Here's one time someone has died from a caffeine overdose: http://www.themoneytimes.com/featured/20101104/caffeine-overdose-kills-young-brit-id-10140437.html (obviously there are more, it kills hundreds if not thousands each year)

Cannabis has never directly killed anyone (if you smoke it, it's your choice - you also have the choice to vaporize): http://drugwarfacts.org/cms/?q=node/30

Thanks for the info. I'm part of the camp that believes cannabis is essentially physically harmless, so no need to support that one.

Not when it's common knowledge that drugs like weed, acid and shrooms aren't lethal. Caffeine does kill, I remember reading that it kills around 1,000 to 10,000 Americans annually. But since, I can't find that specific source atm, here's a half-assed one from a biased website...the stats seem legit though.

...from here (http://legalizationofmarijuana.com/).

I was talking more about cocaine, heroin, meth, and the like rather than psychedelics. Although it's important to note that weed, acid, and shrooms can all affect your judgement enough to do lethal things (not that this a valid argument, but something to remember).

[Peace God]

I was talking more about cocaine, heroin, meth, and the like rather than psychedelics.
I wasn't talking about those at all.... those drugs are obviously way more dangerous than coffee. I was talking about weed, shrooms etc... which aren't.

Although it's important to note that weed, acid, and shrooms can all affect your judgement enough to do lethal things (not that this a valid argument, but something to remember).
I think that out those three, LSD might cause the most potential for something like that too happen. But even then, i don't think that they "affect your judgement enough to do lethal things" nearly as much as other drugs or even non-drugs... like stress.

[Zazu]

I didn't intend to start an argument, I just have never seen facts about caffeine vs. illegal drugs. I don't remember saying that statistically it's less harmful but if I did I apologize.


Ahh fair enough mate. Think I misconstrued the meaning behind what you were saying, I assumed you were one of the many people on here who will just shout 'SOURCE' every time someone posts something that they disagree with. I realise now that you were just after more info.

[Bath]

Definitely, and I'm addicted to it. It's a drug but I don't really care. I like my coffee/energy drinks ♥

[staying_alive]

I wasn't talking about those at all.... those drugs are obviously way more dangerous than coffee. I was talking about weed, shrooms etc... which aren't.

I don't think you could measure the dangerousness of those drugs vs. coffee/caffeine with a death statistic. People wake up every morning and assume copious amounts of caffeine - that doesn't exactly happen with LSD. The damage possible from that kind of psychedelic use is scary; questioning reality would most likely occur, and one would possibly go insane.

I think that out those three, LSD might cause the most potential for something like that too happen. But even then, i don't think that they "affect your judgement enough to do lethal things" nearly as much as other drugs or even non-drugs... like stress.

Again, I don't think you could measure that. Although I agree that stress, along with depression and other psychological conditions, is dangerous.

[Starlight Blaze]

yeah it is technically a drug
but not like marijuana
however the "Mormon" church is against drinking coffee and some teas because caffeine can be addictive
it used to be sodas also, but if that one is still being used, nobody listens to it, except for me cause i don't like carbonation :D

[staying_alive]

yeah it is technically a drug
but not like marijuana
however the "Mormon" church is against drinking coffee and some teas because caffeine can be addictive
it used to be sodas also, but if that one is still being used, nobody listens to it, except for me cause i don't like carbonation :D

I am just so surprised at statements like this. On what factors do you base that? Is weed worse or better? Please explain further...

[Alaph]

On the one hand;
It's a stimulant, most of us know this.
It can be physically addictive
as it's a stimulant, it can raise your heart rate and has been known to put people in the hospital due to heart problems (Redbull,specifically has been studied (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article4537831.ece))

On the other;
It's legal (adur)
Most things are safe in moderate usage.
Its generally less dangerous than alcohol (unless mixed with)


I'm not looking for a debate, but if it turns into one I'll move the thread.

Yes it is.

"It's legal (adur)
Most things are safe in moderate usage.
Its generally less dangerous than alcohol (unless mixed with)"
This doesn't imply it's not a drug.

[heykay]

If you take it in the capsules for energy, then yes, otherwise, no.

[Limelight788]

I don't really consider it a drug. Just about everyone in the United States of America has had caffeine at least once in their lives and if taken in moderation, it can at least have temporarily benefit, like helping you focus more, while drugs like smoking, alcohol, and others only show negative consequences.

[Magus]

I will agree that it's a plant alkaloid like Cocaine, and Nicotine. But drug is a wrong word for it. It's a stimulant.

while drugs like smoking, alcohol, and others only show negative consequences.No. Just like Caffeine, smoking and Alcohol if minimally used can have a lot of benefits, but if excessively used, they can cause more harm than good. Caffeine is also like that, if consumed more than the normal doses, it can give you a lot of problems.

[Nevermore]

It's not a drug, but it's my addiction. :3

[Limelight788]

I will agree that it's a plant alkaloid like Cocaine, and Nicotine. But drug is a wrong word for it. It's a stimulant.

No. Just like Caffeine, smoking and Alcohol if minimally used can have a lot of benefits, but if excessively used, they can cause more harm than good. Caffeine is also like that, if consumed more than the normal doses, it can give you a lot of problems.
Caffeine can be addicting, but extreme addictions to it are a lot less common then alcohol and smoking, which is why you don't nearly as much on TV about the danger of caffeine. Alcohol can be good for you if used moderately, but most of the benefits it has can be found under red wine as well, not to mention that most people that I know that drink alcohol (Not myself) suffer from alcoholism, such as my mom and step-father. The problem with smoking is that all the benefits it has can be found with alternative sources as well and it cuts off a small part of your life (I believe six to ten minutes with each smoke) as well, plus like alcohol, is much easier to get addicted to then caffeine. Can you tell me one physical beneffit

The advantage of drinking caffeine moderately isn't automatically override by other factors like alcohol and especially smoking.

[staying_alive]

Caffeine can be addicting, but extreme addictions to it are a lot less common then alcohol and smoking, which is why you don't nearly as much on TV about the danger of caffeine. Alcohol can be good for you if used moderately, but most of the benefits it has can be found under red wine as well, not to mention that most people that I know that drink alcohol (Not myself) suffer from alcoholism, such as my mom and step-father. The problem with smoking is that all the benefits it has can be found with alternative sources as well and it cuts off a small part of your life (I believe six to ten minutes with each smoke) as well, plus like alcohol, is much easier to get addicted to then caffeine. Can you tell me one physical beneffit

The advantage of drinking caffeine moderately isn't automatically override by other factors like alcohol and especially smoking.

Ding ding ding! We have a biased source!

In all seriousness, the amount you see something on TV doesn't mean shit. I would argue that the majority of the white collar population has a caffeine addiction, and that's equal to or more than the amount of alcoholics in the world. Ever hear people say something to the effect of "I'm just not me without my morning cup o' coffee"? This type of statement = addiction. Just like alcoholics are just not themselves without that whiskey after work. The only difference is alcohol is a depressant and thus has DIFFERENT consequences than caffeine, which is a stimulant. Not necessarily more negative, although it may seem that way.

I'm going to play devil's advocate and say that caffeine is much more addictive than alcohol and tobacco because it's more widely available and NOT publicly frowned upon. e.g. "I went to starbucks this morning before work" versus "I smoked a cig in the parking lot before work" don't yield the same result from those around you.

You asked about one benefit of (I assume) cigarettes? Less anxiety. More focus and concentration. Now what's one physical benefit to caffeine? Higher heart rate. More anxiety. More focus (?) ...unless you're an addict who sees no benefit but only uses caffeine to get rid of the withdrawl symptoms (headaches, etc.) of not using it. Now i'm not arguing that lung cancer doesn't exist, and as a matter of fact I'm very against cigarettes in general. However, you can't ignore cigarettes' benefits and caffeine's negatives.

I am very sorry that your mother and step dad suffer from alcoholism, as I know how hard it can be to see someone close to you have that kind of addiction. I don't want to sound harsh when I say that you're biased, and I hope that you don't take it personally. I'm simply trying to counter your arguments in an effective manner pertaining to the discussion at hand: caffeine.

[Raynes]

Using the actual definition of 'drug', yes, caffeine is a drug.

I have no opinion as to whether or not one should actually use said drug. Almost all of my life was caffeine ridden. I stopped drinking caffeine entirely about 6 months ago, and I've never slept better, so that's a good enough reason for me to stay off of it.

[Magus]

Using the actual definition of 'drug', yes, caffeine is a drug.Wow. The actual definition of drug is synonym to a "medicine". At first, I thought drug is similar to a "sedative". I guess I am wrong.

[Raynes]

I went a little overboard. There are plenty of different definitions of 'drug'. I think wikipedia (appropriately, as usual) conveys the message quite clearly: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drug

When in doubt, wikipedia to the rescue.