DR. WALLACE: I'm 17 years old and I just started sipping some coffee recently. I wanted to use coffee to perk me up and get me going in the mornings! I've seen my parents gulp down a cup or two of coffee every morning for many years and they seem to have a lot of morning energy.

But for some reason, I seem to feel more tired in the late mornings and early afternoons than I ever did before. This does not seem possible! Why do you think I'm not reaping the benefits of an energy boost via a cup of coffee in the morning? — It Doesn't Seem to Be Working, via email

IT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE WORKING: Coffee's main active ingredient is caffeine, which is a stimulant. Caffeine often blocks the receptors (called adenosine) that regulate the human sleep/wake cycle. But during the blocking process, adenosine molecules accumulate.

And once the caffeine wears off, the buildup of these molecules can trigger a "sleep" response that in turn makes you tired.

Another factor could be sugar, if you happen to add it to your regular cups of coffee. Sugar or other similar sweeteners can spike your glucose levels, and once these levels drop, your energy level will drop accordingly. It's possible that one or both of these factors are causing the fatigue you are experiencing.

The best way to manage and reduce the negative side effects of caffeine is to stay hydrated with lots of water and to also keep your overall daily caffeine consumption in check, preferably with no more than two cups (or cup equivalents via other beverages or foods) per day.

SMOKING POT DAILY STUNTED MY PROGRESS

DR. WALLACE: I know marijuana and cannabis is legal in many states, including the one I live in, but I'm here to tell you that it's not all rosy for everyone. In my case, I can honestly say that smoking pot stunted my daily progress toward my life goals.

I want to finish my college degree and get a job in my chosen field. But I can honestly tell you for the past six months I've slacked off on my homework, my grades have suffered, and I've spent more time smoking pot and watching old television shows than I have studying and moving my goals forward.

Many people feel that cannabis helps to "calm them down" and make them feel "mellow," but in my experience with it, I have become very lazy and unmotivated.

I'm now in the process of having a few friends help me break this bad habit by stopping by and getting me focused on other things that are important to me. Looking back now, I wonder why cannabis is so popular. It sure seems overrated to me. — I Slacked Off Entirely, via email

I SLACKED OFF ENTIRELY: Substances like cannabis affect different people in different ways. I'm glad to hear that you have set upon a course correction in your life.

It's also an excellent idea to have a good friend spend time with you each day and hold you accountable. I trust it won't take you too long to regain your lost momentum once you pick up where you left off.

Each individual should weigh the cost/benefit effect of taking any substance at all, regardless of the legality of the substance. Just because others use a substance does not mean it is useful or beneficial for everyone. Your personal experience demonstrates this.

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. Email him at [email protected]. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

Photo credit: Fahmi Fakhrudin at Unsplash