Caffeine doesn't create strong physical addiction, in other words it's relatively easy to stop taking caffeine. Why do many people compare it to drugs like nicotine or alcohol?

Caffeine is a bitter white crystalline xanthine alkaloid that acts as a psychoactive stimulant drug and a mild diuretic (speeds up urine production) in humans and other animals. Caffeine was discovered by a German chemist, Friedrich Ferdinand Runge, in 1819. He coined the term “kaffein”, a chemical compound in coffee, which in English became caffeine.

Most people can go without caffeine with no real withdrawal symptoms. Nicotine is a far different story. Caffeine isn’t that addicting, physically or mentally. It keeps people alert. Some would say that for nicotine as well. It may be true that nicotine has some positive attributes. The real problem are many of the thousands of other chemicals which are part of a cigarette. Would switching to nicotine gum be an alternative? It could still enhance your alertness and productivity.

Caffeine in black and green tea lasts longer, but after lunch only coffee will give you the real kick. National geographic did a report on caffeine. Result: easy to get and un-get addicted. Withdrawal includes headache and drowsiness. Lasts roughly 24 hours. That’s it. Some people rarely drink anything that contains caffeine because it tends to keep them from being able to get to sleep.

Somebody shared the following personal anecdote with me: “I have never touched a cup of coffee in my life. I can’t stand the smell of it. I have to plug my nose when in the grocery store going past the gourmet grinds in bulk. Nasty. Smells like burnt beans. I have heard it doesn’t taste as good as it smells, so you can count me out. I see all the stuff people have to add to make it drinkable. Never cared for tea but at least it smells better. Around the office, the stinky mugs and the coffee breath is so offensive that I am seriously considering sabotage on the office coffee maker.”