Health Watch: New Way To Get Caffeine Fix

By Stephanie Stahl

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Get a jolt of caffeine without having to take a drink or a pill. 3 On Your Side Health Reporter Stephanie Stahl has more on the new item that's available just this week.

It's easy to see that Americans love caffeine. Coffee is the drink of choice for many, but there are all kinds of other products that contain caffeine.

Now there's a new way to get that jolt, you breathe it.

"It's a mix of caffeine and B Vitamins that you puff into your mouth," said Tom Hadfield, CEO of Breathable Foods, a company that came out with inhalable chocolate a few years ago.

The AeroShot uses the same technology, which was developed by a Harvard professor. The AeroShot isn't actually inhaled in to the lungs. It supplies a puff of powdered caffeine onto the tongue. Each tube contains 100 milligrams of caffeine, about the same as a large cup of coffee.

"There's no liquid, so it doesn't fill you up, and there's not calories," said Tom.

The maker gave out samples on college campus'.

One student said, "it seems to be a really quick and easy way to get caffeine burst."

Another student said, "it didn't taste very good."

RELATED LINK: AeroShot Information

But doctors say, whether you breathe it or drink, too much caffeine isn't good for you.

"Caffeine is the most popular drug in the United States, said" Dr. Rick Donahue, with Personal Health MD. He says caffeine, a stimulant, can cause problems like insomnia, upset stomach, headaches, and even more stress on our bodies.

"Stress is a pro-inflammatory. It causes inflammation in the body, and many of the diseases we look at and treat are related to inflammation," said Dr. Donahue.

Experts say caffeine, in moderation, can be safe for many. So if you're looking for a way to carry your caffeine around in your pocket, this might do the trick.

The AeroShot is a dietary supplement, so it's not regulated by the FDA. The company says three a day are completely safe, but should not be used by people under the age of 12 or those with allergies.

Each one costs $2.99, and can be purchased online.