Caffeine Blues: Wake Up to the Hidden Dangers of America's #1 Drug

by Stephen Cherniske and Stephen Cherniske MS

Book Overview

One of the most accomplished nutritional biochemists and medical writers in his field reveals the truth about caffeine and helps you kick the habit forever. Nearly 80% of all Americans are hooked on caffeine, this country's #1 addiction. A natural component of coffee, tea and chocolate, and added to drugs, soft drinks, candy and many other products, the truth about caffeine is that it can affect brain function, hormone balance, and sleep patterns,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0446673919
• ISBN13: 9780446673914
• Release Date: December 1998
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
• Length: 464 Pages
• Weight: 0.98 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 5.3" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Wake-up Call

It is truly sad to see how many reviewers of this book call Stephen Cherniske "overzealous" and insist that "one cup a day won't hurt you." Sad, but not surprising, as it is indicative of the depth of our society's addiction to this drug. One cup a day won't hurt you? One cup a day is all I usually drank, and the results were withdrawal headaches, a great plunge in my energy at 3 pm (never connected that to your morning cup of coffee, did you? Surprise!), problems with stress and tension, and even tooth-grinding in the night. All this went away when I quit, and Caffeine Blues was the book that inspired me to do it. In addition to it being an easy and fascinating, if at times disturbing read, there are three things I like about this book: 1) It details--thoroughly--the ways in which caffeine may damage your health. 2) It reveals the damage that coffee does to the environment. Specifically, coffee was once grown in the shade, so that trees were left in place. Then sun coffee was introduced, allowing greater yields but contributing to the destruction of rain forests. I haven't seen this mentioned anywhere else. 3) It explains how best to go off coffee. This is important. If you try cold turkey, as most people probably do, the withdrawal symptoms will likely drive you right back to coffee. All in all, this is a great book. It should be required reading for everyone who has ever had a withdrawal headache.

Courageous Wake-Up Call to a Caffeinated Society

Cherniske here makes a bold, spirited case for abstinence from caffeine. While some people may feel his tone is zealous to a fault, the truth of his words cannot be denied. Caffeine IS an addictive drug. Caffeine IS harmful for the body. Granted, there are many other things we consume that are harmful as well, but that does not negate the author's argument. I have been a coffee lover for many years, but have been a believer in physical fitness and sensible nutrition for an even longer period of time. In the back of my mind I always have been aware of the perils of caffeine. This author has brought all those thoughts to the forefront. As a result, I am weaning myself off this harmful, yet widely accepted, substance. Yes, pretty much everyone in our society drinks caffeine, blind to the dangers. Fifty years ago pretty much everyone in our society smoked tobacco, blind to the dangers. We've realized the dangers now of tobacco -- will the dangers of caffeine be the next great realization? I highly recommend this book. I especially recommend it to people who have lives with high-stress and are mindlessly guzzling caffeine. Buy this title -- it will make you think, and will probably put you on the path to a much more serene existence.

To thine own self be true

I have loved coffee for much of my life. I have even been heard to utter, in mock appreciation of Socrates, that "the uncaffeinated life is not worth living." One time I quit coffee, felt really good, but during a flat stage, I got back on, more than ever, with the comment that without caffeine, I had lost the "joy of living." I have read this book by Cherniske. I have read all the reviews here. I have laughed hardest at the ones that recommend "The Caffeine Advantage," which supposedly about how great caffeine can make your life. Perhaps this book is over the top in its indictment of coffee and caffeine. But the fact is, that I will not quit the stuff without a little shouting at me to do it. Those reasonable persons who would suggest to have only a cup a day or so, or who only have coffee in the morning, or who can go weeks without it, with no headaches; well, more power to you. But I am not one of you. I am an ADDICT. I cannot drink coffee in moderation. I can only drink it to excess, and it invariably messes up my life. It messes with my sleep patterns, leading me to get less sleep and to then be tired often during the day. It screws up my diet, causing me to binge on sweets to try to counter the feeling of being too hyped up and hungry from caffeine. It messes with my breathing, as I occasionally experience a shortness of breath sensation that I notice when I am drinking lots of caffeine. And most of all, I know all of this in my heart. I know that caffeine is bad for me, that using it is using a powerful drug, and that the only answer for me is to get of it completely. There is no possibility of moderation. I have tried that most earnestly and failed. This book has provided the only successful incentive I have ever had to make a serious effort to get myself off caffeine. And I have not done it yet. It is a battle. But I know it must be done. As I write this, I am in day 3 of weaning off in accordance with the guidance of the book. To sum up, referring to the title of my review, look at your own heart. You know, many of you, that caffeine is bad for you. So don't kid yourself, get off of it, and be the person you were created to be.

wealth of information

I started caffeine 15 years ago and I thought it was wonderful for a while, yet later I discovered that the wonderful enhancement turned into serious troubles; tension headaches, nausea, fatigue, and also not able to heal injuries for many years. I used caffeine daily. When I discovered herbal teas, I no longer needed caffeine, yet I could not get off for long term health. This book gave me the information to stay off caffeine and I've learned I was taking more caffeine than I believed was normal. There are coffee substitutes that help maintain health.

finally, the incentive I need to kick the coffee habit

I like this book so much, I've been sending copies to my friends -- something I've never done before. For years, I've read about the harmless effects of caffeine, but deep down, I knew it was causing some very negative feelings.This book explains everything and points out dozens of things you've never suspected. The writing is both engaging, scientific, and thoroughly convincing.I highly recommend it to anyone who suspects caffeine plays a part in their mood and overall health. You will be amazed at the numbers of ways it may be interfering with your well-being.