# What's the best OTC source of caffeine? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 25, 2021, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-otc-source-of-caffeine/945017 "2021-06-25T19:29:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2021, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-otc-source-of-caffeine/945017/1 "2021-06-25T19:29:48Z")
This nursing home only provides decaf coffee. My blood pressure is fine but they don’t have real coffee to give. I had a can of Monster yesterday and I felt better, but it was not enough and a mite dear for the effect. Would 5-Hour Energy shots have more of the good stuff or should I just get jar of instant coffee and drink it cold? (I don’t want ask the CNA to walk down the hall with a mug of hot water.) ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2021, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-otc-source-of-caffeine/945017/2 "2021-06-25T19:33:51Z")
Choose your poison. > **[Caffeine Informer](https://www.caffeineinformer.com/)** > > Caffeine dangers, benefits, and safety. Find the caffeine amounts in energy drinks, coffee, tea, soda, and food with our extensive interactive database. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2021, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-otc-source-of-caffeine/945017/3 "2021-06-25T19:46:14Z")
I’m not aware of any restriction on the sale of caffeine. So… the GQ answer is caffeine tablets. Not that I’m suggesting it’s a good idea for you to take them without consulting a doctor. But in this forum, are you asking for the “best” source in the sense of what tastes good? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2021, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-otc-source-of-caffeine/945017/4 "2021-06-25T19:49:39Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > I’m not aware of any restriction on the sale of caffeine. - Until 2014, you could buy caffeine in bulk powder form. I’m still working on the kilo I bought then (just before the FDA cracked down). ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2021, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-otc-source-of-caffeine/945017/5 "2021-06-25T19:53:15Z")
I use caffeine only sporadically and in small doses when I do. My go-to source is caffeine tablets, as already suggested. Caffeine tablets give you a precisely measured dosage. The typical tablets are 200 mg which is supposedly roughly the amount you get in 1 cup of regular coffee. I’d be careful of using caffeine regularly (although I know that people do). I think you can develop some degree of tolerance to it, meaning that you’ll need to increase the dose to get the same kick, and if you quit you can get some withdrawal problems. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2021, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-otc-source-of-caffeine/945017/6 "2021-06-25T19:55:34Z")
**running\_coach** ’s list provides a dizzying array of tastes and contents. As for caffeine pills, they keep a close eye on what I’m self-medicating with, so actual pills wouldn’t make it past the front desk. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2021, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-otc-source-of-caffeine/945017/7 "2021-06-25T19:57:52Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > I don’t want ask the CNA to walk down the hall with a mug of hot water. Can you get your own electric kettle and keep it in your room? ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2021, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-otc-source-of-caffeine/945017/8 "2021-06-25T20:03:47Z")
**Senegoid** , tell it to the newbies! I’m long past that point. 😃 **hogarth** , absolutely not. They barely trust me with the stuff I’m supposed to have . 😉 ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2021, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-otc-source-of-caffeine/945017/9 "2021-06-25T20:23:30Z")
Do you know how/if caffeine might react with other meds you’re on? Diuretics, blood pressure meds, etc? ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2021, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-otc-source-of-caffeine/945017/10 "2021-06-25T20:40:16Z")
**needscoffee** : You, of all people, should know that the correct answer is, “Don’t know; don’t care.” 😉 Anyway, I would only be loading up on human levels, not the insane levels of a few on that list. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2021, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-otc-source-of-caffeine/945017/11 "2021-06-25T20:49:17Z")
Aldi Sud (Aldi in the US–long story) has a German-style mild roast that I must try. Mild and medium roasts taste like coffee, not charcoal. ---
**Author:** ![HughGoply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hughgoply/32/7834_2.png) [@HughGoply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HughGoply)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2021, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-otc-source-of-caffeine/945017/12 "2021-06-25T20:52:41Z")
Coffee enema ---
**Author:** ![Tarataratara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Tarataratara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tarataratara)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2021, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-otc-source-of-caffeine/945017/13 "2021-06-25T21:22:38Z")
These drink mixes aren’t bad. There are store brand versions available, too. [https://www.amazon.com/Crystal-Light-Citrus-Caffeine-Packets/dp/B00I8GDMFS](https://www.amazon.com/Crystal-Light-Citrus-Caffeine-Packets/dp/B00I8GDMFS) I like V8 energy drinks. They taste good and don’t make me jittery. Do you have a refrigerator? You could buy cold brew coffee concentrate and make iced coffee as desired. You can cold brew tea. Just drop a tea bag into a cup of water and let it sit overnight. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2021, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-otc-source-of-caffeine/945017/14 "2021-06-26T00:17:46Z")
> [@hogarth](#): > > Can you get your own electric kettle and keep it in your room? Fire marshals, IME, don’t allow residents to have heat producing appliances in their rooms. I would have a friend go to Walmart and buy you a couple of bottles of Equate (WM store brand) caffeine pills, for less than 4 cents apiece/per tablet and take it with the hot decaf you are served. If you have to get your dr. to prescribe 200mg. of caffeine every morning for it to be allowed, than do that. Much easier and cheaper than trying to get a tasty enough cup of caffeine through instant, especially since that will have to be drunk at best hot tap water temp. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2021, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-otc-source-of-caffeine/945017/15 "2021-06-26T00:50:15Z")
An immersion heater for hot water, then just use instant coffee, though you can get more complicated brewing methods. Much less conspicuous than a kettle and easy to blend into your morning routine. Other caffeine sources that come to mind tea, including yerba matte, and some sodas. ---
**Author:** ![Vimp](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vimp/32/4186_2.png) [@Vimp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vimp)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2021, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-otc-source-of-caffeine/945017/16 "2021-06-26T01:03:01Z")
We used to take candied/chocolate covered espresso beans on camping trips back in the day. Gave you a decent buzz if you ate a few. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2021, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-otc-source-of-caffeine/945017/17 "2021-06-26T01:05:17Z")
Get some chocolate covered espresso beans. They are quite tasty. Eat about 9 or 10 and you will either have a heart attack or be a jittery mess until noon the next day. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2021, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-otc-source-of-caffeine/945017/18 "2021-06-26T01:08:11Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > I’m not aware of any restriction on the sale of caffeine. Some moron ate it by the spoonful and died, moron’s moron parents decided the caffeine was as fault, not their moron son. > **[Parents of teen who died after caffeine overdose urge senators to regulate...](https://www.nydailynews.com/2014/12/12/parents-of-teen-who-died-after-caffeine-overdose-urge-senators-to-regulate-substance/)** > > The parents of a teen who overdosed on caffeine powder took to Capitol Hill on Tuesday, urging regulators to ban the substance that killed their child. Logan Stiner, 18, died at his Ohio home in Ma… ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2021, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-otc-source-of-caffeine/945017/19 "2021-06-26T01:10:35Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Some moron ate it by the spoonful and died, moron’s moron parents decided the caffeine was as fault, not their moron son. - It took a couple of days before he actually stopped moving. ✋🧺 ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2021, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-otc-source-of-caffeine/945017/20 "2021-06-26T21:28:33Z")
Instacart sent me some Aldi-Sud 5-Hour Energy bottles and a jar of instant coffee and I’m feeling ever so much better! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-otc-source-of-caffeine/945017.md?page=2)