After a schedule-packed year of school, college students find themselves exhausted and ready for a break, only to be met with internships, research projects and jobs. Many students become hooked on caffeine in order to stay afloat.
Caffeine is a nervous system stimulant that curbs exhaustion by blocking chemicals in the brain that induce tiredness. This makes caffeine attractive and addictive for regular users. Julia Taraska, a junior business management major, said she had seen her growing reliance on caffeine.
“Caffeine is a part of my daily routine, so I usually have some 2-3 times per day. I drink coffee, loaded teas, energy drinks and Diet Coke,” Taraska said. “I think I have a dependence on caffeine because I need it to feel fully awake for the day.”
Taraska is not alone. 92% of American students consume caffeine regularly for improved concentration and increased physical activity. The Food and Drug Administration advises people to refrain from exceeding 400 milligrams of caffeine per day, averaging 2-3 12-fluid-ounce cups of coffee.
Many students exceed these limits, especially when energy drinks like Celsius and Ghost have upwards of 200 milligrams of caffeine in just one can. Rebecca Lamb, a junior psychology and anthropology major, drinks loaded teas, coffee, energy drinks and soda throughout the week, with many days exceeding or meeting her daily caffeine limits.
“I consume about 2-3 caffeinated drinks throughout the day when in the summer, but during the
school year, I consume about 4-5 drinks a day,” Lamb said.
The American Medical Association estimates addiction can result from consuming even just 100 mg of caffeine each day, with over 90% of Americans falling into this category. Despite the addictive nature of a psychoactive drug like caffeine, its more indirect approach to stimulation has made it a socially acceptable and safer drug to consume regularly.
“I think the majority of students here have a heavy caffeine intake,” said Delilah Wilson, a junior majoring in marine science. “I do think that caffeine use is treated differently from other substances. Yes, it is socially acceptable, but I think a lot of students don’t see or aren’t educated on the severe risks of caffeine overconsumption.”
College students are already predisposed to overworked schedules, heavy at-home workloads and sleep deprivation. Nevertheless, The University of Alabama has made it easier than ever for students to get free energy drinks or coffee, with on-campus promotions and even club partnerships with Red Bull.
“We often get free coffee or energy drinks from simply being on campus from tabling,” Taraska said. “I can use coffee as an excuse to find a place to sit and study.”
Drinking caffeine can be a dependency, but it can also be a social activity that people can find community in. David Allan, a journalist for CNN, nicknames coffee shops as “the world’s living room,” since they’ve become gathering places with atmospheres unlike homes and offices. Coffee shops exist outside of stressful spaces, offering meeting places that foster food and drinks, idle chat, creative activities and music.
“I absolutely think that college culture does promote caffeine dependence,” Taraska said. “I see this specifically in my friend groups where lots of our hangouts include random trips to 7 Brew and Starbucks.”
Caffeine consumption has become a staple part of the college experience. While summer may decrease the amount of caffeine students consume, the addictive and social nature of consumption has made its mark on UA students.
“The busier my schedule becomes, the more caffeine I consume to help balance that out,” Lamb said.
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