By Jennifer Yoon, CBC News, with comments by Dr. Nicholas Chadi, August 27, 2025
They look like small, pillowy cushions. They come in flavours like chocolate and blueberry, and they promise a zap of energy.
Caffeine pouches are all over social media platforms. Videos on TikTok show young people trying them out. Others point out they’re available to buy, even for underage people. Some mention they can be used if you’re struggling to stay awake in class.
Health-care professionals say caffeine pouches are getting more popular among young people on social media. But they’re urging caution.
What are caffeine pouches?
Caffeine pouches look similar to nicotine pouches. They also include herbs and flavourings, and are meant to be placed between the lips and the gums.
The pouches’ caffeine dosage varies. Some have 50 milligrams — equal to about a half-cup of coffee. Others can go up to or even exceed 200 milligrams. One box usually contains about 15 pouches.
“Gums have a lot of blood vessels, so there’s very quick absorption of the caffeine into the bloodstream, which means it can reach the brain and also the heart very quickly,” said Dr. Nicholas Chadi, a pediatrician at Montreal’s Sainte-Justine University Hospital Centre.
The rise of caffeine pouches comes as nicotine pouches are also becoming popular, especially among young men. Some videos even show people using both pouches at the same time. Read more
Lire le reportage en français ici
Nicholas Chadi MD MPH 
Leave a comment