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| While many people are familiar with caffeine, many don't trouble to recognize it's molecular structure. You're welcome. |
See, growing up, my mom used to work the night shift at the local hospital; she was (and still is) an RN. She'd work two to three 12-hour shifts (from 7pm to 7am) a week and would pick up an extra here and there when we needed to pay for something, like a vacation or Christmas gifts or what not. The woman LOVED her coffee. It was common knowledge to everyone who knew her, which means that her birthday and Christmas gifts were coffee-related. Thus, when we moved out to San Diego, she had to part with more than 20 coffee cups.
Anyway, returning from the tangent. She used to talk to me about how she would get headaches at certain times in the day if she didn't have enough coffee and that sounded horrible to me. Headaches? From withdrawal? Well, then I'll NEVER drink that much coffee!!!
Fast forward to two kids later: I'm addicted. I don't even work night shifts (or any shifts for that matter) and I can't make it through the day without at least one cup. Most days I require two. Sometimes more if Johnny's being particularly difficult... I'm serious, it helps. My mood mysteriously elevates after I down a cup of caffeine-filled goodness, which brings me to a statement one of my mommy friends made recently: "The only reason I am the mom I am is coffee."
At least I know I'm not the only one who is "using".
Man, I've been drinking decaf for a year and a half now and I really don't want to get re-addicted to caffeine. Cutting it out was so painful with the headaches, etc. we'll see how long I can last.
ReplyDeleteIf you notice the structure of caffeine is strikingly similar to adenine.. which builds up in the brain as the day goes on making us more tired. Caffeine is a competitive inhibitor for those same receptors in our brain, so when we drink it we feel less tired.. I figured you might appreciate that little piece of knowledge! And yes, Im getting to be even more nerdy than you!
ReplyDeletetrue that! coffee is my muse :-). AND you ARE working the night shift considering those boys aversion to sleeping at the proper hours at the moment!
ReplyDelete