Not before the first coffee? ? Everyday cravings that nobody takes seriously
Susi flicks on the office chair and almost maniacally tears the plastic wrap from her chocolate bar. With a peck and a sigh, she leans back and slowly relaxes: "These things ... these are lifesavers!" find them. Lifesaver, then? Bright spots in everyday life by Susi, 48, project manager.
What does Susi see as a small, commonplace weakness, others see as an indication of addiction? and she comes in very different clothes. Thus Katharina, 27, assistant doctor, does not manage without caffeine tablets through the night shift in the hospital. And Markus, 36, opens the door of his flower shop after an omega-3 capsule and a double espresso? otherwise he would be "unbearable". If he says that in the circle of his friends, they just laugh. It's just coffee.
The many faces of addiction
What comes along as a ritual often only manifests itself as an addiction when it is left out, yes, as a dependency: as with material drugs, does a good feeling come with the excess? and you always try to restore that good feeling. Exactly: This includes the soothing effect of the first coffee in the morning or the psychosomatic fitness boost of the vitamin shower.
The whole thing is related to a feeling of happiness, which is triggered by the enjoyment of Susis chocolate bars? or rather with hormones like dopamine that flood Suzy's brain and are perceived as "happiness". Or just as a "lifesaver". In science, these cycles are considered reward mechanisms. Is beautiful and right? until they gain the upper hand and you no longer function normally without this stimulation, you need more and more to achieve this feeling.
Caffeine, sugar addiction and Co.
An addiction is usually expressed only discreetly. So it starts, for example, that at first you miss the substance only slightly. Sugar addiction is one of the most common and unconscious everyday addictions: Dessert in the canteen becomes the rule until one can think of nothing more than sweets. The same goes for coffee: Caffeine means dependence on caffeine. Does it stay off, do you feel exhausted, have a headache and are tired? is familiar?
Incidentally, addiction does not always have to lead to physical satisfaction, but can also be purely mental. So does Markus's omega-3 capsule make him instantly feel he has done something good for his health? and thereby the same happy hormones are distributed, as with other addictions. So ? the BARBARA health taskforce advises: who can not make it through the day without certain substances? are the gummy bears, confetti cannons or colored socks? should think twice, what is behind it.
