Why we drink wine, smoke cigarettes, and eat blue cheese

It was at a gala, I was walking (most likely barefoot, because it was late) between the aquariums filled with exotic fish species and I was sipping from his glass of whisky. I didn't get further than sipping, because man-oh-man did I find that stuff disgusting. But the bar was too far away and I wasn't planning to let the man in question be out of arm's reach. I have never touched a glass of whiskey since then. And that man, by the way, hasn't either.

But when I see Renske with a glass, with such an interesting smoky content, I do wonder if I should try it again. Just to boost my coolness a bit. By the way, I'm addicted to a strong wine, pitch-black coffee, and (don't tell anyone) the cigarette. Not very pleasant at first, but I gave myself a little kick in the behind (feel free to call it a butt). Coffee just belongs, wine looks fancier than beer, and back then smoking was probably much less deadly (I think, because otherwise I would just be really stupid). But all things I got used to and now do with flair. Coffee is my companion, I smoke for relaxation, and wine is so cozy. I do eat salad as a green compensation, no worries. I just find it quite striking that I now categorize all this under the heading ‘delicious’.

Good news, this is in our nature. To be precise, in your and my omnivorous nature. We can of course pretend that we are grass-eaters, but officially we are of the omnivorous kind. This is advantageous, because it makes our chances of survival sky high. If you are a cow and the grass is gone, then you are pretty much screwed. Your body registers the only positive thing you have left from a sip, bite, or puff and pushes that association on you the next time. A feeling of satiety, the relaxation from nicotine or alcohol. So you think you really like it. And the reason you calmly pour yourself a glass of wine night after night, but don't want blue cheese on your plate time and again also has an explanation. With alcohol, caffeine, or nicotine, our dopamine system kicks in and you want more and more and more of that substance.

Maybe whisky and I will still become a match. Although my brain at this moment is picking up few positive associations from that sip, but hey, that seems to change.