According to a report by the Federal Drug Administration 80 percent of Americans consume caffeine in some form every day. With how commonplace caffeine consumption is among Americans, it's easy to forget that it's actually a drug — the world's most popular psychoactive drug.
For most people, their caffeine dependency is directly tied to coffee. However, it doesn't have to be that way. If anyone is looking to get their caffeine fix without the expense and hassle of coffee, just know there are many alternatives.
Caffeinated food and beverages
With advancements in food technology, almost any food can be made with America's favorite addiction. An eight fluid ounce cup of coffee has approximately 95 milligrams of caffeine, so the question persists — how else can I get my daily dose of caffeine?
From chocolate to gum, the world has found a way to inject caffeine into everyday foods. While these options are often more expensive than their non-caffeinated counterparts, it is a small price to pay for the extra jolt that many of us need every morning.
Caffeinated gum like "Jolt Energy Gum" contains about 40 milligrams of caffeine per piece, which is about the same as a typical 16 ounce bottle of soda. With a pack containing 20 pieces, caffeinated gum can be a more than sufficient replacement for coffee.
For a more traditional replacement, teas can be sufficient in kicking your coffee habit. Whether it be traditional brewed black tea or green tea, it can be a great substitute for coffee. Eight fluid ounces of brewed green tea can have between 25 and 29 milligrams of caffeine, while its black counterpart can have between 25 and an impressive 48 milligrams of caffeine.
While tea won't give you the same jolt of energy that coffee might, it possesses countless health benefits that coffee falls behind in. Studies show that tea can help with weight loss, boost your immune system and even help reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease. So while you may be getting caffeine from coffee, the health benefits of tea should persuade even the biggest coffee fanatics to consider drinking it instead.
Non-traditional caffeine products
Caffeine doesn't have to come from what we eat or drink. Unlike many other psychoactive substances, caffeine is legal and unregulated in most parts of the world. This means that companies can find ways to put it into their products.
For example, OGX, a popular brand of shampoo and other hair products, has a shampoo that is infused with caffeine and niacin that helps wake you up in the morning while also fighting hair loss.
Speaking of hygiene products, Bath Buzz, a popular soap, is infused with caffeine that is absorbed through the skin a few hours after being used. The entire bar of soap is sold for only seven dollars, and with the bar packing a whopping 2,400 milligrams of caffeine, this soap would certainly pack a punch for coffee drinkers looking to kick the habit — and it smells good too.
On the more unconventional side, a recent IndieGoGo campaign received nearly $90,000 for Joule, a bracelet lined with caffeine patches that administers caffeine through your skin. Each bracelet comes with 30 patches as Joule gives the wearer over four hours to prevent jitters or crashing.
We all need caffeine sometimes, but coffee can be too inconvenient or expensive. Luckily, we live in a world where caffeine can come in a variety of shapes and sizes. If you're dependent on caffeine like many other Americans, consider these alternative options to help you get your fix.
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