I drink coffee. Yes, I’m after the caffeine. I have a very interesting (to me) story about my “love affair” with coffee that I may share with you sometime.
I rationalize and justify this drug use. “It wakes me up, makes me more alert”. “It enhances my cognitive performance.”
—> Yes. It may do these things, but is it the best way to gain these things?
Are there other ways to get the same benefits without using the drug?
Will I be more awake and alert if I get better sleep? Isn’t this the real problem, that you are not getting enough quality sleep? Will my cognitive performance be enhanced if I get better sleep?
If I go for a walk / run, will my cognitive performance be enhanced? Does the run have other benefits? Do I become healthier? If I go for a walk-run will my sleep be enhanced? If I get for a walk-run will me cognitive performance be enhanced?
If I rationalize drug use in the case of coffee, am I training my brain to use drugs to solve my other problems? Can I rationalize the use of other drugs?
If I’m anxious should I use Marijuana? Is this the best way to manage my anxiety? Are there better ways that also have other health benefits?
The doc told me I had borderline high cholesterol. The doc recommended I start taking a drug.
—> I said, “No, thanks”. What are the lifestyle changes I need to make?
On another visit that doc told me I was borderline-diabetic. The doc recommended I take a drug.
—> I said, “No, thanks”. What are the lifestyle changes I need to make?
The drug is the easy fix. Is there a better way to improve my cognitive functioning than caffeine? Do I become healthier from caffeine intake? Does my sleep improve from caffeine use?
Drug use is often the easy path, but not the better path. Train your brain to take the better path, not the easier path.
I’m not opposed to medicine.
