Michael Pollan Explains Caffeine Cravings (And Why You Don't Have To Quit)

I have not read the book, just the in depth NPR article  from 'fresh air' with Terry Gross.

Pollan's new audiobook, Caffeine, explores the science of caffeine addiction and withdrawal — and the broader impact that coffee and tea have had on the modern world. Caffeine, he says, is a powerful drug that alters the brain in surprising ways.

"There are studies that show that people's both mental performance and athletic performance are improved by coffee," he says. "If you have a cup of coffee after you've learned something or read a textbook chapter, you are more likely to test better on it the next day."

...very reassuring for us caffeine addicts

As someone who had to quit caffeine for health reasons (it gave me continuous withdrawal headaches, even through the normal course of a day), I urge everyone I know who drinks a moderate amount of caffeine and tolerates it well to keep at it

Even a year later (and the withdrawal symptoms gone), I still miss the mental sharpness and harmless 'attention boost' I could get from caffeine when I needed it. Once in a while, I'll let myself have a cup of caffeinated tea, and I really appreciate it to the fullest.

(Yesterday, I had to take care of a sick child after a terrible night, and I really really wish I could have taken a large coffee and be my full self, instead of a muddled zombie. I compromised by having some tea, and immediately felt better. But I know that I can't use that trick too often or the migraines will come back).