Caffeine is the most socially acceptable drug on the planet. And you're addicted to it.

I said this to myself last month jokingly. So I decided to see if I could function without it.

I quit caffeine for the month of July (no coffee or strong tea) just as a mini experiment. I walked away with 2 big lessons about myself and my relationship to this popular stimulant. But first a little background.

How I got hooked

Growing up in Texas in the US, I grew up drinking tea. Not only sweet tea but hot tea as well.

When I got to college, I never drank coffee much until my junior year. The only reason I started drinking it regularly was because:

1) it was a hot drink - my college was in Colorado with cold winters

2) it was free (no joke)

Ever since that time, for the past decade and a half roughly, I -like many around the world- have had at least one coffee or more a day.

While this isn't terrible, I was curious to see how I would fare without it. Turns out I don't need it at all.

Coffee is common

I've traveled l over the world and among the many similarities I've noticed everywhere I've gone one common truth stands out: the world loves coffee.

No matter where I go I can get it at any time of day. I wonder how this drink got to be so ubiquitous among human culture and society? I'll have to do some more digging into that.

Benefit 1: Return to natural energy levels

Even though coffee is nearly impossible to avoid, one thing I learned about myself by giving it up is: I don't NEED coffee.

I've always been a morning person. My energy peak is probably as soon as I get out of bed.

So the typical scenario many face where I drag myself out of bed and only get jolted awake after a cup of coffee doesn't exist for me personally.

Benefit 2: Better sleep

Without caffeine buzzing in my system, I sleep better and wake up even more refreshed and energetic in the morning, which further reduces my need for the drink.

Breaking down the 'need' for coffee

This month forced me to look at coffee for it's true role in my life.

In the end, it was a warm drink that I find enjoyable in the moment. The ‘’warmness” being the key factor. The caffeine stimulus was just an unnecessary side effect for me.

How I reduced my intake

By replacing morning coffee with hot water and honey, I found it eliminated my desire to have a coffee in the morning.

The drink was hot and a little sweet. It turns out that's all I really wanted.

I still love a nice steaming cup of coffee. But I also enjoy getting more sleep and flowing with my natural energy cycles more.

Have you tried a caffeine fast? If so, what did you learn from the experience?