Caffeine junkies like you disgust me. The use of an artificial stimulant to gain an unfair productivity gain is unethical, you CHEATER.

Unless you are drinking more of it every day, there is probably nothing more than placebo by now.

Anyway, caffeine works in vastly different ways. It blocks adenine receptors (which keeps your heart rate and blood pressure high), it does not flood the brain with neurotransmitters used in parts of the brain responsible for learning, retention and the reward system.

Good point ... I drink coffee every day too, but I'm no longer addicted (I mean that in the literal sense) like I was when I drank three to four pots.

I think you mean your addiction is no longer outside the social norm. Caffeine is addictive, regardless what you rationalise or not. The only way to not be addicted is to severely limit supply...

Actually, I mean that how my body functions is unaffected by my caffeine intake. If I don't have coffee on any given day, I continue to be functional ... in the "old days", I'd have had a killer headache within 30-45 minutes of waking up if I didn't down a large cup.

It shouldn't. At least, if you believe all the reports of geeks who've "quit" caffeine. They nearly all say they feel more energetic, sleep better, etc.

People with ADHD often self-medicate with caffeine.

I think the precedent is certainly different for use of prescription drugs that were acquired through dubious means.