Recently, I have been trying to determine what effect, if any, that cutting caffeine out of my diet would have on my overall well-being.

After 56 days—eight weeks—I can say it was a worthwhile thing to do, and I would recommend it to anyone who thinks they need caffeine to function.

The reality of student life is that workloads are distributed unevenly, either by lecturers or via procrastination. Late nights are had, and an eye opener like coffee makes it easier to stave off fatigue.

The inevitable effect of caffeine consumption is that sleep becomes less rewarding. Hence, coffee starts becoming a daily morning requirement. Then it becomes a several times a day requirement. All the while, the body is becoming more and more accustomed to the adrenaline rush and the vitality each cup provides.

It’s a good idea to recognise this addiction as such, before it gets worse; all the time I hear about dudes that get a massive headache without their morning cup of joe. My rationale for quitting was simple: I have trouble sleeping properly anyway, so I may as well not waste my money on energy drinks that raise my heart rate and blood pressure for no meaningful reason.

My concentration and co-ordination have suffered a lot since then, so it turns out the brain required caffeine in order to be in top form. I play in a social squash competition; lately, I have been completely trashed on the court, making silly errors and generally playing like a spastic. I’ve also fallen a bit behind at university, which is ironic since I did this to help my studies.

With all this in mind, the best approach is “all things in moderation”. Therefore, I’ve stopped the decaf counter, and started simply being healthier in general. Which frees me to talk about some different shit on this website. Truly, a win–win situation for all concerned.