As a former caffeine user who paid an extremely high price for abusing its legendary positive qualities, I was wary. Couldn't again face the prospect of teeth enamel erosion, shattered sleep patterns, browning of the chompers, major jitters, and the unfocused aggression that came out when the need to get my fix overcame my better nature. After many years of solid abuse, it took a solid week to detox; to break an addiction that left me a manic, body aching, thrashing sweat-soaked junkie. Understandably, I'm unwilling to go thru that nightmare again.
Today, caffeine is a very specific tool; taken only when that extra energy boost is needed. And because I'm no longer a regular user, it works when I reach for it. And perhaps more importantly, once the job is accomplished, I flat walk away cold turkey. As much as I absolutely love that luxurious liquid gold, one-hundred percent Kona ground; falling back into addiction isn't an option.
Still, I needed something with a kick, ideally without the usual accompanying detrimental side effects. In truth, I haven't yet tried the various B-12 based energy pick-me-ups, which retail for as much as $3 a hit, so perhaps there are better options. But I felt that 100 milligrams of old school might be a workable solution, especially as a cost-effective means of infusion.
So far - so good.
Now, let's get this out of the way. Yes, the reviews which state the before-and-after flavors of the gum are spot on accurate.
Did several tests over the course of a couple weeks to properly gauge the product. Here are the overall results:
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Minute 1 - Very sweet and refreshing. Typical of most mint flavored gums.
1: 30 - The flavor is still there but fading quickly.
2:00 - Mint is pretty much gone now. But there's a lingering aftertaste, enough to cover the true flavor of the caffeine. Which, by the way, is damn near unpalatable.
2: 30 - The flavoring is gone. However, and it took several doses, I'm getting used to the unpleasantness. Based on comments and observations made by family and friends who quit tobacco, this is similar to nicotine impregnated chews. Essentially, a nasty medicinal flavor.
3:00 - From this point it's just work. The instructions say that you must chew for a full five minutes to obtain all 100 milligrams.
4:00-5:00 - Not going to lie, the last two minutes are genuinely difficult, but doable.
Yes, the taste is foul. But not unbearable. The first time I couldn't finish the product; literally spitting it out to relieve myself from the nastiness. However, with more use, the less offensive it became. With a bit of effort and an expected adult palette, one can accomplish the five minutes.
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One interesting note: Almost every time I used the gum, within a minute or so, it produced a headache. At first this was quite upsetting as I very, very rarely get headaches. But realized that this was proof that the caffeine was hitting the bloodstream much faster than when drinking either Coffee or Diet Coke, both of which take quite a while to kick in. Again, speaking only for myself, the headaches were light and passed away within an hour or so of ingestion. Also, if you have a sensitive stomach, I suggest eating something prior to using the product.
Overall, effective. The advertising accurate.
The energy level tick-up was quite noticeable and remained for quite some time. However, remember that I only use the product "as needed" so the effect is likely more profound when compared to a person regularly mainlining.
Like all stimulants, the more you use them, the less effective they become. So use it in specific situations as needed.
UPDATE (11.13.14): That Free Spearmint pack turned out to be a great marketing tool. Why? Because I LOVE that flavor! This product is now a mainstay at my workstation. Works better than coffee or other liquid caffeine deliver systems. In my experience, the kick takes place very quickly and leaves the body just as quickly; a perfect stimulant. Additionally, I'm no longer staying up for super long periods of time or hand-shaking jittery, which were common side-effects when I did the black gold. <g>
I've also bumped this from a 4-Star to a 5-Star, something I very rarely do with Amazon Reviews. It's that good. :-D
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Product Description
How It Works:
MEG provides a rapid absorption of caffeine through the oral membrane in the mouth, while also being lightweight, compact, and convenient. It's been proven over the years, through multiple clinical studies, that MEG aids alertness in situations involving fatigue.
- 100mg of Caffeine In Each Piece
- Maintains Cognitive Function When There's No Time For Sleep
- Maintains Alertness In Situations Involving Sleep Deprivation
Military Energy Gum
Rapid Energy When You Need It Most!
Military Energy Gum takes pride in the relationship that we share with our customers & the MEG community with our rapid convenient energy gum. We strive to provide the highest quality of product & service as we ship and serve thousands of customers across the world. Our mission is to serve to keep you alert when there’s no time to waste!
Highlights:
- 1998, Established and began working with the Military
- 2004, Approved for Department of Defense to supply every battalion.
- 2005, Received The US Military Greatest invention of the year.
- 2006, Included in the 33rd Annual EMMY Awards Gift Bags.
- 2012, MEG became available to the public.
- 2019, Over 5 million packs sold to the Military
- Present Day, MEG continues to serve the people
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Arctic MintCLINICALLY PROVEN: Effective supplement for energy, alertness, and vigilance. US Army's Greatest Invention of the Year Award for 2005. Recommended Safe & Effective by the Committee on Military Research. |
SpearmintFAST ENERGY: Begins working instantly through oral absorption. Chewing 1 piece of Military Energy Gum delivers 100 mg of caffeine 5X faster than energy drinks, pills or coffee. Provides a boost of energy when you need it most. |
CinnamonTRUSTED BY THE US MILITARY: The Military Energy Gum formula was first developed exclusively for our Military and used in several ration kits. |
Gum You Can Trust
Each piece of military caffeine gum contains 100 mg of caffeine, which is about the amount found in a six-ounce cup of coffee.
One sleep researcher contemplated and expanded on the concept of delivering caffeine through gum in 1998, and one year later Congress funded the first study in this area of inquiry. When the study validated how fast the caffeine was absorbed in the body, the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command began developing and testing Military Energy Gum for use in sustained or continuous military operations when soldiers typically don’t get enough sleep.
This technology has since been applied to other kinds of professions that entail reduced hours of sleep such as night shifts, emergency service personnel, semi-truck drivers, and many more that continue to appear today. Because of the increase in opportunities such as these, we know how important it is to have a reliable source of caffeine, and we work to maintain that trust with multiple clinical trials.
When to Use MEG
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All NightersLate hours can be part of the job, but that doesn’t mean tiredness has to be. |
SportsPractice makes perfect, and MEG is here to help you stay alert every minute of it! |
DriversDrive safe and never doze off behind the wheel with MEG. |
Public ServantsFor when you can’t afford to be tired, MEG works to keep you alert and ready. |
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