The best part of waking up, is Folgers in your cup! …or is it?

Waking up in the morning and having a warm roasted cup of joe you can smell from a mile away; it’s a great feeling. Of course, after having your first cup you can’t forget bringing the second one on the go, so you can have more coffee throughout the morning.

This coffee love definitely shows at the Starbucks lines at Sacramento State. But is it merely a college student enjoying a beverage, or is coffee a full-fledged addiction?

Sometimes we need a little help waking up in the morning, or an afternoon pick-me-up. Either way coffee, or caffeine in general, has become a necessity for college students.

This can sound like some terrible stereotype and you might think to yourself “I am NOT addicted to coffee.” However, The Smithsonian Magazine’s article titled “This is How Your Brain Becomes Addicted to Caffeine,” the FDA reported more than 80 percent of Americans consume it.

Studying late at night for exams or midterms, as most college students do, the first thought that comes to mind when trying to stay awake is the need for a cup of coffee, energy drink or some type of caffeinated tea.

Regardless of the poison picked, the addiction seems real, even if the science behind caffeine addiction seems spotty.

Medical author Melissa Stoppler wrote in her story “Caffeine Addiction: Can You Quit?” there is no scientific proof that caffeine meets the full criteria of being an addictive product.

Hard to believe because the term “caffeine addiction” is so freely used. Even so, there are some side effects that come with not drinking coffee, leading a person to experience caffeine withdrawal.

Stoppler said some of the symptoms could possibly be headache, depression or being irritable, difficulty concentrating even muscle pain and nausea.

Caffeine withdrawal is a serious matter among college students, let’s be real here.

Exhaustion seems to be a part of college life and a little extra pep is always helpful, but college students seriously need to watch their coffee addictions, and try some alternatives to keep the energy flowing.

According to the article “10 Caffeine Substitutes Every Student Should Know About,” some other ways to get your blood flowing is to go for a jog. Exercise can make you feel more awake and alert.

Eat fruit like apples, grapes and peaches which contain high fructose levels and vitamins needed for a natural energy boost. Taking vitamins and being properly hydrated can help too.

The next time you wake up and head to the pantry, try to take the Folgers out and find an alternative. Break the coffee addiction!