Forget coffee. Get your caffeine fix from this bracelet

The Joule Bracelet contains twice the caffeine concentration of coffee beans. Photo / YouTube, Joule

For most of us, drinking coffee is a sure-fire way to feel energised, although it takes at least 45 minutes for the caffeine to actually kick in.

But that long absorption time could be avoided by wearing a device that delivers caffeine doses through the skin and straight into the bloodstream.

A startup company has created The Joule Caffeine Bracelet, which looks similar to a FitBit and has a transdermal caffeine patch, which claims to give its wearer a "steady, reliable energy" - equivalent to a medium cup of coffee over four hours - eliminating energy spikes and crashes.

The Joule bracelet can be bought for $US29. Photo / YouTube, Joule

Currently raising money on crowdfunding site Indiegogo, the creators explain that the bracelet provides "convenient, consistent, all-day energy with no crashes, no long lines at the coffee shop, no stained teeth and no calories."

For a $US29 pledge, you can have a bracelet in one of three colours (blue, black or pink) and get 30 replacement patches - a full month's supply.

According to the campaign, "The secret to the Joule Caffeine Bracelet that sets it apart from traditional methods of caffeine delivery is all in the patch."

How it works

The transdermal patches work in a similar way to a nicotine patch in that the caffeine is released gradually for steady doses, suggesting that the usual negative side effects such as jitters and energy crashes are avoided.

Users attach the adhesive patch, made with guarana extract, to a slot on the inside of the bracelet so that it sits against the wrist. It absorbs much faster than oral administration because it doesn't have to travel through the digestive system to reach the blood stream.

Each patch contains twice the caffeine concentration of coffee beans and the guarana component is said to suppress appetite and reduce fatigue.

The startup also suggests the bracelet can be a good option if you've been advised to cut back on coffee or energy drinks for health reasons.

- nzherald.co.nz