What is an “Upper Decky Lip Pillow”? Your Complete Guide

If you've heard the term “upper decky” floating around online or in your friend group, you may be wondering if it's a special product or technique. It turns out that "upper decky" is just another way to refer to a nicotine pouch placed between your upper lip and your gums. If you're looking for a full breakdown of this TikTok slang term, you're in the right place. We’ll walk you through the full definition and origin of the term “upper decky,” plus how to use them properly, so keep reading!

What is an upper decky?

An “upper decky” is a slang term for a nicotine pouch you hold between your upper lip and your gums. Upper decky became a popular term for nicotine pouches when the phrase “upper decky lip pillows, upper decky Zynnies” was featured in a viral TikTok video by @cheddy222.

Section 1 of 6:

What does “upper decky” mean?

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“Upper decky” is slang for a nicotine pouch between your upper lip and gums. Nicotine pouches are small pillow-shaped pouches that you put in your mouth and suck on to get nicotine. Many people put the pouch between their upper lip and gums because it’s more discreet and comfortable. As the trend caught on, users started to refer to the pouches as “upper deckies” when talking about them casually. ^{[1]
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- Putting the pouch behind your upper lip also prevents it from getting too wet with saliva and forming “drip,” or concentrated juices from the pouch
- When you keep a nicotine pouch between your bottom lip and your gums, it’s called a “lower decky” instead. Some people prefer a lower decky because it’s more reminiscent of using snus or chewing tobacco.

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How did the term “upper decky” start?

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The slang term "upper decky" spread on TikTok. “Upper decky” became popular when the TikTok user @freezertarpsss (formerly @cheddy222) posted a viral video in 2022 in which he says the line “upper decky zynnies, upper decky lip pillows ferda.” As the video got more views and nicotine lip pillows grew more popular, the name “upper decky” stuck around as a way to describe a nicotine pouch placed underneath the top lip. ^{[2]
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- What does “ferda” mean? “Ferda” is a simple slang term that is short for “for the boys.” The term became popular from the Canadian comedy show Letterkenny.

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Other Terms for Upper Deckies

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Many people use slang terms to refer to nicotine pouches in order to talk about them more discreetly. More slang terms will no doubt pop up as nicotine pouches get more popular, but these are the most common names for them online at the moment:
- Gum pillows
- Lip cushies
- Lower deckys
- Nicotine pillows
- Nics
- Snu5
- Snooze
- Zynnies

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How to Use Upper Decky Lip Pillows

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1
Position the pouch between your upper lip and gums. Lift up the side of your lip with one hand, and tuck the pouch in the upper corner of your mouth. If you need to reposition it because it feels uncomfortable, move it over with the tip of your tongue. ^{[3]
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- Only use one pouch at a time.
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Keep the pouch in your mouth for 15-45 minutes. As the pouch sits in your mouth, nicotine will absorb into your skin and mix with your saliva to get into your body, and you’ll feel the effects within minutes. While some smaller pouches only last for 15 minutes, others are still flavorful and effective for up to 45 minutes. ^{[4]
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Spit the pouch out when you’re finished. After your upper decky has run its course and doesn’t have any more flavor, spit the pouch out into a trash can to get rid of it. Nicotine pouches are single-use, so don’t save them to reuse later.
- Avoid swallowing nicotine pouches because they can upset your stomach. If you do swallow one by accident, contact your doctor.

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Upper Decky Nicotine Pouch FAQs

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Are all nicotine pouches upper deckies? Technically speaking, yes! “Upper decky” is a slang term for any type of nicotine pouch that you keep behind your upper lip, so it doesn’t matter which brand you use.
- If someone says “upper decky Zynnies,” they may be specifically referring to ZYN-brand pouches instead.
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Do nicotine pouches contain tobacco? No, nicotine pouches are tobacco-free. Nicotine pouches are usually made from plant fibers, and they contain about 2-4 mg of nicotine, along with flavoring and sweeteners. ^{[5]
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Are nicotine pouches bad for your teeth? While there hasn’t been enough research about oral issues caused by nicotine pouches, they could cause your gums to recede if you keep the pouch in the same spot all the time. Other less likely oral side effects could potentially include: ^{[6]
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- Mouth or throat soreness
- Mouth ulcers
- Coughing
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Are nicotine pouches safe? Nicotine pouches don’t contain tobacco, but their long-term effects are still unknown. The FDA doesn’t have strict regulations on nicotine pouches, so they haven’t gone through extensive testing or certification. More studies have to be done to know for sure how they impact your body over time. ^{[7]
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- Nicotine is also highly addictive because it gives you a buzz, and you need more nicotine to achieve the buzz the more frequently you use it.
- Nicotine is also dangerous for children under 21 because it can cause brain developmental issues, such as slower cognitive function and higher impulsivity. ^{[8]
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How much nicotine can you use in a day? Start with a single nicotine pouch to see how it affects you before using any more. Because the pouches are typically between 2-4 mg, most people recommend doing no more than 8-10 per day. Anywhere between 50-60 mg of nicotine in a day is considered a fatal dose, so it’s crucial to stay well below that range with your daily use. ^{[9]
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
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Does the Upperdeckys brand contain nicotine?

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No, Upperdeckys are a type of caffeine pouch. Even though they have a similar name, the Upperdeckys brand sells nicotine-free caffeine pouches for an extra boost of energy. These pouches also have added flavors, like mint or berry, so they taste good while you have them in your mouth.
- To use a caffeine pouch, place it between your upper lip and your gums. Suck on the pouch for around 30 minutes before spitting it out.
- Upperdeckys and other caffeine pouches tend to have high amounts of caffeine, so check the label before using them. Remember that the daily safe amount of caffeine for adults is about 400 mg or under (about the same as 2-3 cups of coffee). ^{[10]
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  US Food and Drug Administration
  U.S. government agency responsible for promoting public health
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- Having too much caffeine can increase your heart rate, make you jittery, and give you a headache. If you start feeling sick, drink water to rehydrate and cut back on caffeine in the future. ^{[11]
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  Cleveland Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}

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Nicotine pouches are made for people who are 21 or older.

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Warnings

Even though nicotine pouches are considered safer than tobacco, they are still highly addictive and can cause brain development issues in children. They also have not been around for a long time, so their long-term effects are still unknown. ^{[12]
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Too much nicotine can cause nausea, vomiting, chest pain, increased heart rate, and rapid breathing. If you have any of these symptoms, stop using nicotine pouches and contact your doctor. ^{[13]
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Trustworthy Source
Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}

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What is an “Upper Decky Lip Pillow”? Your Complete Guide