Coffee As An Addictive Substance

Sugar is as addictive as nicotine, cocaine, and morphine. Sugar leads to a rush similar to injecting heroin. It leads to a vicious cycle of cravings for more sugar to feel good.  

Stopping your sugar intake could result in withdrawal symptoms - at least at first.

A sugar detox can cause unpleasant physical and mental symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms can last up to two weeks. Sugar cravings can be worse in between meals or when you feel stressed. 

Physical withdrawal symptoms include light-headedness, nausea, tingling and fatigue.

It is imperative to sleep 7 to 9 hours for most adults.

An alarm clock or phone alarm can interfere with the body's sleep cycle to wake us up before a cycle is completed. It is healthier to sleep while not being simulated and wake up naturally.

Apart from rest, it is crucial to have a daily exercise routine and get some sun exposure regularly.

Human beings are designed to move and be in the sun, trekking and toiling for hours. If you are feeling tired, walking outside in nature and getting some sun will help.

The hallmark of the migraine attack is a wave of excitation across the brain quickly followed by a wave of inactivity.

The neurochemical changes associated with these waves cause the blood vessels to narrow in the head. Since a lack of blood-flow in the head can be deadly, our body reacts with a massive blood vessel dilation in response. The heightened activity in your brain means you will have trouble moving, thinking, remembering things, and photophobia. In effect, migraines shut us down until the neurchemical balance is restored.

• The classic migraine. Some notice it as an 'aura' - the sensory disturbance might be visual or feel like pins and needles.
• The common migraine is without the auras.
• An ocular migraine is when you experience the aura without the pain.

• It is bad if you feel your system doesn't work properly without it: lack of concentration, tiredness, bad temper, headache.
• Why should you keep it: Drinking 3 - 4 cups of black coffee a day provides the most health benefits overall, including a lower risk of several specific cancers and neurological, liver, and metabolic conditions.
• If you’re nixing caffeine: Going cold turkey can lead to significant withdrawal symptoms like low energy, fatigue, lack of concentration, therefore a gradual reduction is suggested.

• How bad is sugar? Sugar creates hormonal insulin swings and causing inflammation. People with a diet overloaded with sugar have poor cholesterol and are at risk of high blood pressure and other chronic conditions.
• Can it be good? Sugar is a carb, and carbs are your body’s main energy source. That means the good kinds of sugar can be healthy.
• If you’re cutting out sugar, remember this: You’re likely eliminating a lot of carbs, too. That can be pretty taxing on the body. Consume extra electrolytes, plenty of fluids, lots of proteins, bone broth, and soups to help with the transition.

• Roasting reduces the number of chlorogenic acids, but other antioxidant compounds are formed.
• Instant coffee may not have the same health benefits.
• The oil in boiled coffee has cafestol and kahweol, compounds known to raise LDL, the bad cholesterol, and slightly lower HDL, the good cholesterol. However, the clinical significance of such small increases in cholesterol may be questionable.

• A typical 12-ounce serving of drip coffee has 200 milligrams of caffeine.
• Instant coffee has 140 milligrams of caffeine.
• Espresso has the highest concentration of caffeine, 70 milligrams per one-ounce shot, but is consumed in smaller quantities.
• Brewed decaf has caffeine too - about 8 milligrams.
• Some people have a genetic variant that slows their metabolism for caffeine and keeps them awake deep into the night.

1. Neurons are the nervous system cells transmitting electromagnetic signals using action potentials and neurotransmitters.
2. Glia is the non-neuronal system cell keeping the neurons healthy and working.
3. Cerebrospinal Fluid or CSF is the fluid that our brain lives in.
4. Arteries are the blood vessels that carry blood to an organ.
5. Veins are the blood vessels carrying blood from the organ.

Complex cycles and systems operate in the brain. The Glymphatic (or Glial Lymphatic) system, discovered recently, takes care of the brain waste much like a complex sewer system.

The system is only active when one is asleep, and it clears our brain of all neurotoxic substances that have collected during the day.

Overwork is one of the main reasons for fatigue. It can include professional, family and social obligations.

Try to streamline your list of "must-do" activities. Set your priorities and pare down the less important tasks. Consider asking for extra help.

Exercise gives your cells more energy to burn and circulates oxygen. Exercising causes your body to release stress hormones that in modest amounts can make you feel energized.

They are generally well regulated by the body, but there are a few diet and lifestyle changes you can make to boost your levels naturally:

• Eat lots of protein
• Eat less saturated fat
• Consume probiotics
• Exercise often
• Get enough sleep
• Listen to music
• Meditate
• Get enough sunlight

Walking away from an anxiety inducing situation can be very effective. Taking some time to focus on your body and not your mind may help relieve your anxiety.

Writing down what’s making you anxious gets it out of your head and can make it less daunting.

Contributing factors to mental fatigue are poor nutrition, lack of sleep, hormonal imbalances, or cognitive overload. Cognitive overload can take the following forms:

• When you focus on a single task for an extended period of time.
• When you spread your attention across too many things.
• Worrying about tasks. It is as mentally taxing as doing the task.

Your brain is fuelled with the same food as your muscles. What you eat has an enormous impact on your cognitive functioning.

• Cut down on refined sugars as it decreases alertness. Aim for sustained energy levels throughout the day.
• Plan your meals in advance. If you wait until you're hungry, you're already low on energy and willpower and will reach for a quick energy boost in the form of sugar.
• Don't skip breakfast. Without it, you may likely crash in the middle of the morning. Eat more eggs, yogurt, and oatmeal to sustain your energy levels until lunch.
• Snack mid-morning and mid-afternoon to give your body consistent fuel.
• Stay hydrated with water. Mild hydration can negatively impact cognitive performance.
• Listen to your body to figure out what makes you feel best. The same nutrition advice won't work for everyone.