Madison Burgess
A worrying new trend is surging in popularity among young people, and experts have already issued a warning against it.
From 'bathroom camping' to 'morning shedding', Gen-Z is known for their never-ending list of unique trends, which most of the time originate online.
And the latest obsession has, of course, stemmed from social media platforms where influencers are pushing the products.
We all know how convincing this can be, and sometimes all it takes is one video to make you believe you need to spend money on the newest hot item.
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The craze we're talking about, known as 'upper deckies', has recently taken off in the US, so it's only a matter of time before it reaches the UK and other parts of the world.
Before you ask - no - 'upper deckies' is not referring to the top of a double-decker bus, it's a nickname for a caffeine-related product.
'Upper deckies' is a slang name for caffeine pouches that are designed to slot in between your lips and gums - the upper deck of your mouth - hence the name.
The products, which come in tiny tins and look like small white tea bags, deliver a quick caffeine hit straight to your bloodstream.
They're being marketed online as a cheap alternative to coffee or energy drinks, giving users a quick fix and 'buzz'.
However, according to the BBC, a single pouch contains as much caffeine as two cups of regular coffee, which means it can be easy to take too much and suffer from alarming side effects.
Caffeine is a stimulant, and high levels can cause a rapid heart rate, abnormal heart rhythms, and even seizures. Other side effects to your health include shaking, heart palpitations, anxiety, hyperactivity, and sleep problems.
According to the Mayo Clinic, up to 400 milligrams (mg) of caffeine per day seems safe for most adults, which equates to approximately four cups of instant coffee.
And as explained by Bupa in the UK, the recommended safe limits of caffeine in children and teenagers are 3mg/kg body weight - for example, the safe limit for a healthy 10-year-old weighing 30kg would be 90mg caffeine per day (two cups of weak tea).
Although there is no age restriction on caffeine in the UK, children and teens are also more susceptible to the risks and potential for an overdose.
While it's rare, there are some documented deaths from too much caffeine, including an American teen, Davis Cripe, who died from heart failure after consuming several highly caffeinated drinks too quickly back in 2017 (via The Independent).
The worrying trend has also seen social media users promoting 'double deckies', which is where people are dangerously putting two of the pouches in their mouth at once, so the equivalent of four cups of coffee.
Dr Rob van Dam from George Washington University explained to the BBC that these products can seem appealing to children due to their different flavours and online popularity.
They're also discreet, so parents or teachers may not be able to notice if a child has one inside their mouth.
The expert told the publication: "Young people may have less tolerance to caffeine and there's a chance they could end up in the emergency room if they have too much.
"While it's harder to overdose on coffee, with these products it's easier, especially if young people are using energy drinks too."