Latest Update on TikTok: Doctors Expressing Concerns Over New Stimulant Trend
In recent months, a rare phenomenon has caught the attention of healthcare professionals, parents, and educators in different parts of the world. A small pouch, which could easily pass for a tea bag, is gaining popularity among teenagers looking for a quick and powerful energy boost.
A Silent and Hard-to-Detect Stimulant
These pouches do not contain herbs or tobacco, but concentrated caffeine. Known as “caffeine pouches,” they are placed directly between the gum and the upper lip, similar to snus, a nicotine product. By doing so, the active substance is absorbed directly into the bloodstream, producing an almost immediate effect. The format has been particularly appealing to students, athletes, and others who promote them as a “trick” to enhance physical performance or stay awake during long study sessions.
But what concerns experts is not only their content but also the discretion with which they can be consumed. Unlike an energy drink or a cup of coffee, these pouches can be used in class, at home, or even during a workout without anyone noticing. This ease of use and the lack of specific regulation could be paving the way for uncontrolled consumption.
As Much Caffeine as Two Coffees… in One Pouch
According to Dr. Rob van Dam from George Washington University, some of these pouches contain a dose of caffeine equivalent to two cups of coffee. While this may not seem excessive for an adult, in a teenager with lower tolerance to stimulants, it can quickly lead to overdose. Symptoms of caffeine overdose range from palpitations and insomnia to nausea, anxiety, or seizures. Although severe cases are rare, there have been emergency room visits linked to excessive consumption of these products.
Part of the problem is that many teenagers do not just take one pouch. On TikTok and other platforms, some users boast of using two or more pouches at the same time for an even stronger “rush.” This is compounded by the fact that many also consume other caffeinated products like energy drinks, sodas, tea, or chocolate.
Sublingual absorption is also quicker and more potent than digestive absorption. While a drink takes about 20-30 minutes to take effect, caffeine absorbed through the oral mucosa enters circulation within minutes, making it harder to control its effects.
The Risk of Normalizing Stimulants at an Early Age
Beyond the physiological effects, experts warn that this habit could be a gateway to other substances. In the UK and other countries, health authorities had already expressed concern over the rise of snus—nicotine pouches—among young people. Now they fear that caffeine pouches could serve a similar function, setting the stage for future dependencies.
Dentists are also sounding the alarm. Prolonged contact with these pouches can cause gum irritation, damage to the soft tissues of the mouth, and even increase the risk of dental sensitivity.
Bini Suresh, spokesperson for the British Dietetic Association, emphasizes that the most concerning aspect is the normalization of using stimulants as a quick fix for issues like fatigue, boredom, or lack of concentration. “It is an unsustainable strategy that can disrupt sleep, worsen fatigue, and interfere with neurological development in children and adolescents.”
Instead of artificially stimulating the body, nutritionists advocate for healthier strategies to maintain energy: a balanced diet, adequate hydration, sufficient rest, and regular exercise.
