ya I get what you are saying..I mostly gave up caffine as well, but still use some herbal medicines daily. i think its hard though to really make the distinction between what is a food and what isnt. Its subjective and cultural. I mean, I think that one of the main things dictating morpholoy and evolution among life on earth has been its habitat, which includes diet to a great extent. Our human brain probabily got so complex on a bio chemical level by slowly aclimatising itself and making use of the various chemicals available in the plants and animals we were ingesting..terrnece mckenna talks about this quite a bit in relation to the mushrooms being injested in low doses along with the rest of the early mans diet, and as a side effect, it would strengthen they're hunting skills, further develope language and such(speculation of course)..

I also think that there are so many reasons out there to believe that alot of us are defficient in essential amino acids and tryptamines etc.. especially melatonin and seratonin. All the unnatural lighting we are exposed to into the late hours of the night, way to much caffine, alcohol and other stimulants being used. Lots of people find benificial effects from taking 5htp, melatonin and MAOI's like the ones found it cappi. I drink cappi tea every few days, usually about 10 grams, sometimes 2 grams of chali added and it seems to help me. I drink it at night before I sleep or in the middle of the night and than go back. It makes me very relaxed and dreamy every time, admix or not. Some of the time I will actually end up with closed eye visions and VERY meaningful dreams and revelations. Its very mild if walking around in daylight, but when laying down with closed eyes I can go deep. Sometimes I drink just a few grams before work with chocolate powder and stevia..better than coffee.

edit..our food is also grown poorly, leading to nutrient deficiencies..so it would make sence that people are finding relief in daily supplements.