Caffeine pouch

Caffeine pouches, also known as energy pouches, are small, rectangular sachets containing caffeine and flavoring, sometimes also including nootropic blends. They can also include amino acids, minerals and vitamins. These pouches are similar in appearance and use to nicotine pouches and snus, but they do not contain nicotine or tobacco. Caffeine pouches can contain anywhere from 50-225 milligrams of caffeine, depending on the brand and flavor. Popular brands of caffeine pouches include Mojo, Alp Caffeine Break, Wip, and LyvWel.

Similarly to nicotine pouches, caffeine pouches are placed in between the user's lip and gum and left in while the taste releases. Users leave the product in their mouth for 20-40 minutes, then dispose of the pouch or keep it in a storage area built into the container to discard later.

Caffeine pouches have generated controversy among parents. While these pouches are designed and marketed towards adult users, teenagers have also begun using the products. On social media sites such as TikTok, users talk about, and even promote through TikTok Shop, caffeine pouches and similar products containing melatonin. The slang terms "upper/lower deckies", "lip cushies" and "lip pillows" are used to describe the pouches.

Nootropic pouches

Nootropic pouches are similar to caffeine pouches, however they are designed to deliver nootropics to the user to help with focus, calm alertness and other health/wellness goals. Some nootropic pouches contain caffeine, but not all of them do. The most popular nootropic pouch brands are Ultra and NZE, and several brands that sell caffeine pouches also sell nootropic pouches, like Grinds and Nectr.

Usage among youth

While caffeine pouches are primarily targeted towards and used by adults, due to a lack of age restriction anyone is able to purchase caffeine pouches, online or in retailers that sell them. This has led to usage of caffeine pouches among teenagers. Online influencers advertise these products to kids and teens, primarily through TikTok and its dedicated Shop section. A representative for LyvWel, a caffeine pouch brand that is advertised by online influencers, stated about a similar video "Although caffeine products are legally available to anyone who can purchase tea, coffee, or energy drinks, LyvWel was created specifically as an alternative for adult nicotine pouch users[...] We do not market to teens." As of May 2026, there are thousands of posts on social media about the pouches. Posts with slang terms "upper decky" and "lip pillow" have between 9,000-10,000 posts, while #caffeinepouch" only has 2,200 posts, in contrast.

Some teens use caffeine pouch packaging to disguise usage of nicotine pouches such as Zyn due to their similar appearance. The similarities have also caused concern among adults that they could be a gateway into usage of nicotine pouches.

Richard Mumby, the CEO of caffeine pouch brand Wip, was criticized for his role as the former marketing executive for Juul, an electronic cigarette brand that was accused of advertising to underage users. In a statement to NBC News, Dr. Robert Jackler of Stanford Medicine claimed he was "...doing the same kind of viral, organic social-media marketing that he did with Juul".

As a result of the caffeine pouch usage among teens and young adults, many K-12 schools across the United States have banned usage of the pouches on school grounds. Some schools have also banned caffeine pills alongside pouches, citing health concerns.

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