Jolt Gum

[Steve M]

The caffeine is not needed with this stuff–taste is so bad that it alone will keep you awake!

[Mike Clelland]

My review: 4 (out of 5)

this stuff works as advertised!

I used JOLT gum as a coffee substitute on a few camping trips.

If I do NOT have coffee in the morning, I get horible migranes and fixate on my coffee desires. I require coffee after getting out of bed!

But – with JOLT gum (spearmint) i can skip the coffee brewing in the mornin’ – and actually function. Two pieces does me fine!

I dearly love the act of sipping that first cup. The gum doesn’t replace the beautiful ritual.

But – a few days without a stove and some gum, and I’m a good camper!

peace,
M!

[Michael Karaman]

I find that I rarely require caffeine when I’m backpacking, so I only brought several pieces of Jolt to chew when I knew a major climb was coming up. Frankly, the taste wasn’t all that good and I really didn’t notice much if any ‘kick’. I’ll finish the pack but I probably won’t buy more, at least for my use.

[Steven Bristol]

1/2 a pack got me through the afternoon. Tastes like regular gum to me although they don’t have fruit flavors and that’s what I like best.

[Mike Barney]

I guess if I was going to give this a really fair shake I'd have consumed the whole pack. Unfortunately or fortunately 1/2 a piece was more than enough. The taste isn't there, and I do have a concern about how much caffeine one can consume (if you liked the taste) with a pack of this gum.

Caffeine in higher doses, can cause problems, so some care need to be taken.

I don't have weekend headaches anymore, after giving up virtually all caffeine, although going cold turkey was tough for 1 day.

I also believe I'm more alert overall without the caffeine, and my bp is down.

[Ryan Jordan]

You guys are rookies. Look at the times at which you are posting.

I consumed four pieces of Jolt two hours ago and look at me, still going strong at 2 am.

There is a weird flavor to it, but I can easily adapt and it's well masked by a cup of coffee.

OK, seriously, even though it works for late night software development, I find it useful in moderation on a hiking trek – gives me a boost during my late day low periods. Cook dinner on the trail, hike into the dark, hit the wall at 9 pm but you know you want to go another hour, so just a piece to get me over the hump.

I don't rate it a 5 because I too wish they had fruity flavors.

2 pcs ~ 90 mg of caffeine, which is about the same as a single shot of espresso. Compared to a quart of gas station Arabica (~ 300 mg), Jolt is tame. But keep it away from the kids and dogs, because while the taste of coffee will be a hindrance to their caffeine intake, the joy of gum chewing will be a temptation.

[Doug Johnson]

It does work- has kept me peppy on the trail in the late hours. But it does taste horrible and Nodoze is not only lighter, but the taste is non-existent.

If you're a gum lover and pushing the late nights, Jolt will keep you up though through its unique combo of caffiene and odd flavor. I have a box in my car for late night drives.

[Roger B]

For me the taste is non descript, maybe my taste buds have suffered from the coffee I drink in the Bodegas in NY.

I use jolt in the afternoons when I am beginning to lose concentration, and am beginning to focus less on where I put my feet. As others have said it is for the "low periods"

[sam s]

I agree with an earlier post, the taste is pretty bad, it's not always as easy to find as other stimulants, and for some people, it does not work so well, often those who may be classified as hyperactive or always have energy.

Long term there are potential problems, and any use by children should be restricted.

While I have great respect for the good Doctor and all others on this site, I wonder if this is the best example or advice to our younger readers?

Cheers,
Sam Sam

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