Proof Positive

How Caffeine Became the World's Most Consumed Drug

Published: July 25, 2026

Duration: 12:21

Ever wonder how a bitter bean from Ethiopia became the drug 6.8 billion people can't live without? In this episode of Proof Positive, Daniel Torres exposes the wild corporate battles, government conspiracies, and cultural manipulation that turned caffeine into humanity's most successful addiction. We're talking about a $20 billion industry that's grown so powerful, 90% of adults worldwide now depend on their daily fix. Daniel breaks down how energy drink companies pack 200mg of caffeine into tiny bottles (that's 2.5 cups of coffee in one gulp), why caffeine withdrawal is now an official medical condition, and the dirty tricks Big Caffeine uses to keep...