America, you have a drug problem. You heard me. Nearly 90 percent of you have a daily habit of taking the world’s most widely used psychoactive drug: caffeine.

The consumption of caffeine dates all the way back to the Stone Age, when humans chewed on seeds, leaves and other parts of certain plants to increase energy and alertness. Once people discovered that steeping the plants in hot water multiplied the caffeine’s affects, the beverages we know today as coffee and tea were born.

Since then, the industry has exploded, and the caffeine-crazed America that we know today has come into its own miserably peppy existence.

In fact, Americans’ escalating need for caffeine has become so great, it led to the invention of iPhone apps that can locate coffee shops and purchase drinks, without standing in line. It even sparked a whole new language. (Can you say grande, double shot, extra hot, non-fat, mocha latte five times fast?)

As if that were not enough, Starbucks recently introduced its new Trenta cup size. The Trenta amounts to a massive 916 milliliters, larger than the average capacity of the adult human stomach. We are so caffeine-crazed, that a company is making a profit selling us a serving larger than our stomachs can physically hold!

But scientists and innovators have taken notice of this caffeine craze, and several of them have some ideas brewing that could render that once ever-present cup of Joe obsolete.

First came the creation of energy drinks. From Red Bull to Rockstar, energy drinks spill over the shelves of convenient stores and supermarkets everywhere. Such drinks boast ingredients such as ginseng and guarana, both of which are natural energy boosters.

Despite these drinks’ high amounts of caffeine, they are nowhere near as controversial as the creation of alcoholic energy drinks. Most notably, the unofficial drink of every college campus, Four Loko, came under fire for the alleged danger presented when caffeine masks the effects of alcohol.

But caffeine junkies who want to avoid such risks need not worry. There are plenty of other options for getting a quick and convenient caffeine fix.

Those with a sweet tooth can stay awake with various caffeinated treats. Eating two Buzz Strong Real Coffee Cookies delivers the equivalent of one cup of real Brazilian coffee. Just one Snickers Charged candy bar packs 60 milligrams of caffeine.

Not hungry? One piece of Blitz Caffeine Energy Gum contains 55 milligrams of caffeine.

For the caffeine addicts on the go, look no further than the local drug store. With products as diverse as lip balm and body wash, people now can kill two birds with one stone and get their java jolt while sprucing up.

We live in a hectic and hurried society, and the need for speed can be tiresome. It seems only natural that new and innovative sources for caffeine such as these would arise. But there is a line that separates a healthy energy boost from a persistent addiction, and that’s a line that many of us have already crossed.

From fidgetiness and irritability to ulcers and gastric reflux disease, overdosing on caffeine can cause both short-term symptoms and long-term health problems.

I myself am in no position to criticize caffeine enthusiasts — any barista can assure you my blood type is Starbucks. But perhaps once in a while, it would do us all some good to slow down and take the time to smell the coffee.