The Audio Long Read

From the archive: The invisible addiction: is it time to give up caffeine?

Jan 1, 2025
Explore the intricate relationship between caffeine and daily life, uncovering its powerful effects on health and energy. Dive into personal stories of caffeine withdrawal, highlighting the challenges of quitting. Discover caffeine's rich cultural history, from aiding concentration in spiritual practices to shaping political discourse in coffeehouses. Learn how caffeine affects sleep and health, while reflecting on the joy of mindful consumption. This journey prompts a deeper understanding of our dependence on this invisible addiction.
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ANECDOTE

Pollan's Caffeine Abstention

  • Michael Pollan quit caffeine to understand its effects while writing.
  • He experienced difficulty concentrating, calling himself "an unsharpened pencil."
INSIGHT

Caffeine's Impact on Humanity

  • Caffeine, through coffee and tea, reshaped the world by changing human consciousness.
  • It sharpened minds, altered work patterns, and even influenced thought processes.
INSIGHT

Coffeehouses and Cultural Change

  • Coffeehouses became centers of intellectual and political exchange.
  • This worried King Charles II, who tried to shut them down, but failed due to public resistance.
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