Interview with Author Michael Pollan on his Audible Original 'Caffeine' | Audible

Author Michael Pollan sits down with Audible Editor Courtney to discuss his Audible Original 'Caffeine'. Pollan discusses giving up caffeine for three months while writing the audiobook, the huge impact that caffeine has on the daily lives of millions worldwide, and the ways in which caffeine changed the landscape of work and thought over time.

About the Audible Original:
Michael Pollan, known for his best-selling nonfiction audio, including The Omnivores Dilemma and How to Change Your Mind, conceived and wrote Caffeine: How Caffeine Created the Modern World as an Audible Original. In this controversial and exciting listen, Pollan explores caffeine’s power as the most-used drug in the world—and the only one we give to children (in soda pop) as a treat.

Pollan takes us on a journey through the history of the drug, which was first discovered in a small part of East Africa and within a century became an addiction affecting most of the human species. Caffeine, it turns out, has changed the course of human history—won and lost wars, changed politics, dominated economies. What’s more, the author shows that the Industrial Revolution would have been impossible without it. The science of how the drug has evolved to addict us is no less fascinating. And caffeine has done all these things while hiding in plain sight! Percolated with Michael Pollan’s unique ability to entertain, inform, and perform, Caffeine is essential listening in a world where an estimated two billion cups of coffee are consumed every day.

Listen here:
More from Author and Narrator Michael Pollan:

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[jmcconvlle]

I have been off caffeine for 7 full days and even though that isn’t long, I honestly feel so much calmer. Less anxious sociably and more clear headed. I have been taking 1-2 Cold showers per day, 800mg Ashwaghanda & also 200mg L-Theanine. Drinking plenty of water, running and bodyweight training. And honestly, I feel fantastic.

[bebrittanyable]

QUIT you’ll feel so much BETTER!!! I don’t like how he just down played the actual negative effects of what regular caffeine use can have on your body - the negative outweighs the positive & caffeine isn’t all that amazing - what we can do without caffeine is though! 💕

[firee]

I quit caffeine (coffee, tea, energy drinks, YERBA MATE) cold turkey. I was drinking anywhere from 300mg-600mg per day. Headaches were awful, I thought I was dying. I was rubbing my forehead and eyes constantly bc of pain. I broke the skin open. After 7 days I went to the doctor and was diagnosed with a SHINGLES breakout on my head and face. The sudden stress of caffeine withdrawal to that extreme caused my body to release Shingles. I didn’t think it was anything other than withdrawal so that’s why I waited so long to seek medical attention. How my eye didn’t get infected and how I didn’t lose my eyesight is beyond me. Now my face is scarred for some time (battle scars I call them). Point is, don’t wait to seek medical attention for withdrawal from this DRUG. This interview is good and if you can drink coffee on Saturday good for you but MOST OF US overconsume EVERY DAY. That is not healthy and you can sugar coat the health benefits all you want but they don’t out weight the negative effects of caffeine.

[CReedProductions]

Don’t tell the weak out secret ;) hahaha addicted for 15 years, quit one month now for the second time and I feel great again. Hoping to keep my motivation high and keep saying no! Actually having dreams again, didn’t even know that would be a an effect but sleeping better is creating a more intricate neural network. Thanks for the interview!

[DOCORT]

Listing to Michael Pollan and drinking my coffee, is like a 4D experience

[mclbru]

great book suggestion about caffeine -
Caffeine Blues: Wake Up to the Hidden Dangers of America's #1 Drug

[sWavrDude]

When I gave up coffee and dark teas, or any tea (except herbal tea) for that matter, I now sleep like a rock. My blood pressure (that used to be high) now resides in the normal range. I don't have wild mood swings anymore. Also, TMI, any impotence problems I had before are now only history. That doesn't mean I didn't like how caffeine made me feel. As soon as it hits the tongue, you're off and running. It's an almost invincible feeling.

[ellemeno]

For my health situation, it has taken more than it has given, and since it is addictive and a societal norm it has taken me a while to come to terms with the situation. Wish me luck!

[muddyshoes]

I had a very similar experience when I took a break from coffee & had a flat white one day. Lol
I really enjoy listening this guy. With that said, I realized I was addicted to coffee when I didn't want to talk about anything serious or linear until I had my cup of joe. I took a weekend to sleep off my addiction & then started using green tea for about 6 months until I decided to get completely off of caffeine to see how it affected me & how my life style (food, sleep, etc.) was affecting my entry levels. It's been 8 years & I prefer to have an authentic read in my body & it's energy levels. My husband drinks a large cup a day & I'll have a sip occasionally for taste. I do love the smell & flavor of coffee. Coffee is magical. Just have to not forget it is a drug lol

[weronikakrynicka]

People love to listen to good news about their bad habits :-)

[geraldfrank]

By far the #1 addiction in the world is COMPLAINING! 🙏

[titans]

Great interview! Michael is interesting and well-spoken (as usual), and the interviewer does a wonderful job as well.

[RyanWilliams]

What a great interviewer/interviewee combo. I’d love to just chill in a room with them.

[DKSE]

3 months probably wasn't enough. It takes a full year to go back to normal. A year would have been a proper experiment.

[BeesKnees]

I feel like that guy from Limitless when I drink my caffeine.

[Hello-zflq]

Coffee makes you hungry and emotionally installed and dependent on where you bought it - that’s why you get offered more coffee in every diner; the protective studies aren’t looking at the whole picture

[thegallic]

I have given up caffeine most lents for the past 35 years. And its never been too hard except that I miss something hot in the morning. Still very interesting.

[iuriim.....v]

Not exacrly negative not for you sleep , caffeine is very addictive and we pay big price.

[endoalley]

I buy green coffee beans and roast them myself. Saturday or Sunday morning routine I roast the following weeks coffee. Usually I brew in an expresso maker, Cafe Americana. I like the idea of quitting for a while. As far as sleep, I think for me coffee is a mixed bag. I sometimes make an expresso or an Aeropress after a day's work and then go out for a significant mountain bike ride, a run, hike up a mountain, or some form of exercise. In such cases I sleep well despite the caffeine.

[willcollins]

I stopped all caffeine for about 15 months straight. At a friend's house I have a strong espresso, it me like a rocket. So I started drinking Starbucks everyday for about 5 weeks. It just stopped having any effect at all after a while. So I stopped again for about 3 weeks. Then I studied caffeine and decided to only do it like once a week. Just like this video said.