Battleangel

On the topic of double standards. I was until yesterday blissfully unaware that the Swedish MPA (Medical Products Agency) had done quite number on the 100mg caffeine pills (by Recip) that are sold by the Pharmacy.
At the moment, caffeine and multivitamin are the only dietary supplements that I consume. I no longer use whey protein or other quasi-anabolic substances. One could almost say I’ve become sloppy and mundane. I still have ambitions here but that is a different story altogether. I use caffeine for the exact reasons that the substance is in the pharmacy assortment in the first place, i.e. as a remedy for unwanted sleepiness. And sometimes for its lipolytic effects.

At any rate, imagine my surprise as I walk into the local pharmacy and they at first don’t seem to have any caffeine. Upon examining the matter more closely it appears that they (in response to the MPA decree) have moved caffeine to the list of prescription drugs. Sort of. And here is where the double standards apply. Caffeine used to come in 100 pcs and 250 pcs containers. They are now prescription drugs. But they also have a new container with only 30 pcs. Same concentration. Same pill. And not regulated. The catch is of course that the 30 pcs package costs about the same as the 100 pcs package did before. In fact the packages are following an exponential decrease in price the larger they get. The MPA feels that ‘abuse’ can be controlled by limiting the packages and raising the price. What a nuisance and what a nonsensical concepts, though not unheard of before. And don’t get me started on other double standards this represents in terms of caffeine being a ‘drug’ that 90% of the world’s population consumes in one way or another.
Generally it seems that society nowadays and everywhere is increasingly focused on pushing the blame. If there is a chance that people might overdose on anything then some agency, quivering at the thought of maybe, possibly being responsible in the unlikely event that something will happen. I think we can all relate to this notion in one way or another. Some cite ‘terrorists’ to erect far reaching security measures. Whatever the said reason and however kind and considerate it might seem, it is simply not so. Again, it builds on the fundamental misconception that states and governments always act with the best interest of its citizens at heart. It is just as likely that small steps like these are constructed as a means to crowd control. Politics of fear.
And put another way, even if one negates what I’ve said above, on the individual plane personal responsibility surrenders to custodian principles.

Currently looking for a legal or not, approved or not, substance with the same basic effect as caffeine, i.e. to remedy unwanted sleepiness. Shady nootropics need not apply unless found at bargain prices and certifiably pure. Nor ephedra derivates. It would have to be something that maintains concentration at the same time. Someone suggested ephedra and in that case I can just as well stab myself in the leg and become as skittish. Caffeine is where I draw the line on side effects. As someone who does not drink coffee (nor ever has) the effect of pure caffeine is felt extremely well.