My friends started using Zyn and other nicotine adjacents + that WSJ/Palantir article about free nic pouches in tech makes it seem like nic is being normalized. Doesn't seem like a great thing to get into in the long run.
There's something to be said about the focus boost though so I built a nicotine‑free alternative: 50mg caffeine strips that dissolve under your tongue. Each strip is a known dose, so instead of mystery‑strength coffee or energy drinks, you can stack 1–3 strips through the day and actually know how much caffeine you’re taking.
Right now it’s a pre‑launch product aimed at caffeine loves or whoever needs a focus boost, but want something more precise than coffee and less addictive than pouches. I’d love feedback on the idea, dosing, safety concerns, or whether this solves a real problem for you.
theothertimcook•1mo ago
I know I’m not alone in enjoying the rituals and habits around coffee, whether I’m making it, or grabbing a colleague and going for a walk.
Caffeine doesn’t hit the same way nicotine does, but then both are inferior to dexamphet/methylphenidate/modafinil/etc.
I wouldn’t stake my fortune on trying to get something like this off the ground, especially when most convenience stores (barely) sell caffeinated gum.
I would try adding some L-theanine to your caffeine though, 2:1 theanine to caff.
That delivers some of the best bang for buck boost without sucking on pouches or abusing pharmaceuticals, but even then, being non habit forming sometimes I won’t bother rebuying.
Hope I haven’t spoiled anything, best of luck on your product development journey.
kevinlikako•1mo ago
Thanks, this is a fair take. Definitley thought about this, caffeine won't ever replace nic.
But as someone who grew up gen z seeing nicotine use everywhere (Zyn, vapes, etc.) and the zombies it could make people, that Palantir/WSJ piece just said to me "this is becoming normalized at work" and I wanted to see if a more controlled alternative would resonate with anyone else.
kevinlikako•1mo ago
There's something to be said about the focus boost though so I built a nicotine‑free alternative: 50mg caffeine strips that dissolve under your tongue. Each strip is a known dose, so instead of mystery‑strength coffee or energy drinks, you can stack 1–3 strips through the day and actually know how much caffeine you’re taking.
Right now it’s a pre‑launch product aimed at caffeine loves or whoever needs a focus boost, but want something more precise than coffee and less addictive than pouches. I’d love feedback on the idea, dosing, safety concerns, or whether this solves a real problem for you.
theothertimcook•1mo ago
Caffeine doesn’t hit the same way nicotine does, but then both are inferior to dexamphet/methylphenidate/modafinil/etc.
I wouldn’t stake my fortune on trying to get something like this off the ground, especially when most convenience stores (barely) sell caffeinated gum.
I would try adding some L-theanine to your caffeine though, 2:1 theanine to caff.
That delivers some of the best bang for buck boost without sucking on pouches or abusing pharmaceuticals, but even then, being non habit forming sometimes I won’t bother rebuying.
Hope I haven’t spoiled anything, best of luck on your product development journey.
kevinlikako•1mo ago
But as someone who grew up gen z seeing nicotine use everywhere (Zyn, vapes, etc.) and the zombies it could make people, that Palantir/WSJ piece just said to me "this is becoming normalized at work" and I wanted to see if a more controlled alternative would resonate with anyone else.