Caffeine and nicotine are two of the most commonly abused drugs in various forms. While coffee is the substance (read beverage) that is consumed by people as an energy drink that contains caffeine, the most popular source of nicotine intake is cigarette. Both drugs have effects that are described differently by those who are used to them. However, ask a person and he will tell that he takes coffee to get energy and to stay alert. The same cannot be said about nicotine as the effect dies down in course of time and body develops a dependence upon it. This article attempts to find out the differences between these two drugs to create awareness among people.
Key Takeaways
- There is no doubt that our bodies have no natural requirement of either nicotine or caffeine. What starts as a fad or pleasure becomes a habit addiction hard to leave as both nicotine and caffeine have withdrawal symptoms and people find it hard to give up on these substances.
- Despite harmful effects when taken in high doses, both drugs are legal, and whereas nicotine is available for adults only, there is no such binding in the case of caffeine and even minors can take it. Though both chemical substances are also available in their raw forms, people prefer to take them in products such as coffee, cigarette, cigar, tea, and some other health drinks. Both nicotine and caffeine are alkaloids that come from plant sources.
- While nicotine is produced from tobacco plant and is found in cigarette packs and cigars easily available in the market, caffeine is produced from coffee plant and sold openly in the form of coffee powder and tea bags in all parts of the world. Plants of tea and coffee developed this substance to ward off predators, but human beings use caffeine for pleasure and addiction.
