What side effects are there from using Nicotine Pouches?

Nicotine Pouches have been on the UK market since around 2019, and have started gaining in popularity amongst people who are looking for tobacco-free alternatives that still gives a Nicotine hit to curb the cravings, but is there any side effects on using nicotine pouches?

Nicotine Pouches are discreet and subtle in design, which is one of the main reasons people like using them as they do not emit any form of smoke, and can be used anywhere whilst on the move. However, consuming Nicotine does come require a certain level of caution to be taken, as overindulging in Nicotine can lead to side effects occuring. These side effects are quite minor and don’t tend to last for long though. In this blog, I’m going to take a look at some of the most common side effects of nicotine that can occur from using Nicotine Pouches. 

Headaches

Headaches from too much Nicotine is quite a common thing that occurs. This is because Nicotine has an effect on the blood vessels that can slightly narrow them (this isn’t dangerous, nor a bad thing) so blood flow may be slightly restricted, which in turn is how headaches end up happening! Blood thinning medication causes a similar problem, so it is not something that just Nicotine can cause. 

This is why it is crucial to get yourself a strength of Nicotine Pouch that is suitable for you. For example, if you were only a light smoker, you’ll want to use a low strength nicotine pouch rather than something stronger. Or if you use a strength that is too low for your Nicotine cravings, the sudden change can lead to your blood pressure alternating due to not getting what your body had previously been used to, so you may find yourself with a headache. 

Dizziness 

Another common side effect that’s linked with getting headaches is you could start to feel a bit light headed and dizzy from the Nicotine. This is because of the narrowing of blood vessels and blood pressure change that can make you feel a bit woozy. If you do feel like this, take the Nicotine pouch out, have a drink of water and sit down for a while. It’ll soon go away!

Nausea

This is probably the most common side effect from consuming too much Nicotine, where you can start to feel nauseous after you’ve used a Nicotine Pouch. This can happen if you’ve used a strength that is too strong compared to what you’ve been used to getting from either smoking or vaping with nicotine vape juice. 

When Nicotine is absorbed into the bloodstream at a quick and consistent rate, it tends to stimulate to production of stomach acid, and when too much is formed, this can lead to stomach aches and cramps which in turns leads to nausea. 

You might have heard of the term “Nic Sick” which is the nickname given to when you’ve had too much Nicotine and feel sick from it. Consuming too much nicotine from a high strength Nicotine Pouch or consistently using Nicotine pouches back to back with no break to let your body settle will likely make you feel “Nic Sick”

Dry Mouth

Dry Mouth is a pretty regular happening for anyone that consumes Nicotine either from Nicotine Pouches, vaping or smoking. This is because Nicotine is a chemical that causes saliva production to decrease when consumed, and in turn this leads to a dry mouth happening. 

Always stay hydrated if using Nicotine Pouches by drinking fluids regularly, as this will stop the dry mouth from happening and stop your throat and mouth becoming irritated. 

How to minimise these side effects on nicotine pouches

Now, I’m not saying that you will suffer from any of these side effects, nor am I saying that there’s a way to completely avoid these, but there certainly are ways to minimise the chance of these side effects from happening, and it’s following these simple steps; 

1. Don’t overdo it with the Nicotine consumption! Take it steady, and use Nicotine Pouches intermittently as and when you feel the cravings setting in. 
2. Stay hydrated. This is essential to stop dry mouth occurring as well as any other side effects from happening also. 

If these side effects become more intense/severe, seek medical advice immediately. It is best to speak to a professional about your concerns and problems and get correct proper medical advice. And it would probably be best to abstain from using Nicotine during this interim period of feeling unwell. 

Are nicotine pouches safe to use?

There has been no scientific evidence or proof to show that Nicotine pouches are not safe to use.

 

Nicotine pouches are a less harmful option than smoking and they work in a similar way to what something like Nicotine gum, lozenges or nicotine spray would work, but putting a form of nicotine, in this case a pouch, into your mouth and it to be absorbed into your body. As well as Nicotine patches which are applied to the skin for the nicotine to be absorbed through the pores.

 

The above-mentioned Nicotine Replacement Therapy options have been recommended by GPs and Stop smoking services for a long time with no safety concerns, so I believe Nicotine pouches to be just as safe as any other nicotine product associated with quitting smoking/vaping. 

 

You can read more about this in our feature blog that looks are whether Nicotine Pouches are safe to use by following the link.