What we're really talking about here is Caffeine, I just didn't want to generate a bunch of random responses by using that as the title.
My house was caffeine-free growing up and it was most definitely a Word of Wisdom issue. My mother calls it Poison. No caffeinated beverages passed my lips until my late 20's. What brought about the change? Well, I cannot deny the influence of seeing friends and siblings imbibing guilt-free; however, I'd like to think I'm not completely susceptible to peer pressure.
I was totally dependent on Excedrin and finally decided I was being ridiculousy self-deceiving in refusing to drink Mt Dew, coke, etc.
Here's the thing, can I function without it? Yes. Do I have to have it? Uh, sometimes. Would I be better served by getting more sleep? Yes.
I seem to be exquisitely sensitive to caffeine and just a little gets me into a terrible cycle. I get less than adequate sleep due to poor time management, have like 1/2 a diet coke at work so I can quit being cranky, can't fall asleep 12 hrs later, and need more caffeine the next day. Ridiculous.
The fabulous thing about caffeine is that it cures all my ills--wonder drug, as it were--headaches, bad mood, fatigue, inhibitions. (I get kind of animated and loud the more I have in my system.)
So, if I'm not dependent on it,physically/psychologically, is it ok to keep swilling the stuff?
My father and one friend point out that BYU does not sell caffeinated soft drinks. I point out that they are available for purchase at the Lion House and Joseph Smith Memorial Bldg--much to their consternation.
Clearly if I'm having this debate with myself, I should probably just give it up and go to bed earlier? Hmm.