Nicotine Pouches: What to Know
Nicotine is a naturally occurring stimulant extracted from the tobacco plant in the production process of nicotine pouches. When nicotine is consumed, most users experience a calming effect of well-being.
A nicotine pouch is a small bag that contains the addictive chemical nicotine and some other ingredients. It doesn’t have tobacco leaves in it. People who use nicotine pouches take them by mouth. They put one between their gum and lip for up to an hour. They don’t smoke it or swallow it.
Some companies that make Nicotine Pouches market them as a safer alternative to smoking and dipping. They’re not an FDA-approved type of nicotine replacement therapy, like nicotine gum or lozenges.
Benefits of nicotine bags compared to smoking.
- A nicotine bag is a bag filled with tobacco consumed by placing it under the upper lip. The user places the packet between the upper lip and the chewing gum and leaves it there while the nicotine and flavor are released.
- Once completed, the package is disposed of in the household waste. When finished, the bag is disposed of in the household garbage. Nicotine bags are white portioned bags that contain nicotine derived from tobacco or a synthetic nicotine.
- Still, no tobacco leaf, powder, or stem is similar to a non-tobacco version of snus. There is no combustion involved.
- The combustion of tobacco, by lighting a cigarette, creates numerous carcinogens that directly impact many body areas. Many physiological mechanisms link tobacco products to heart disease.
- Heartbeats faster, and your blood pressure rises. It has also been shown to reduce blood flow to the lining of blood vessels, called the endothelium. Endothelial damage is an early indicator of atherosclerosis, which accumulates deposits on arteries that can block blood flow and cause heart attacks and strokes.
- Compared to smoking cigarettes, snus use may be less harmful and appear to be less dangerous. They have reduced your chances of developing cancer. They are not risk-free, but they have drastically reduced their risk by switching to snus.
Nicotine Pouches and Your Health
More research needs to be done to find out how safe and effective nicotine pouches are in general. But they can bring on side effects, like:
- Hiccups
- Sore mouth
- Upset stomach
- Never share a nicotine pouch with someone else, and call your doctor right away if you swallow one.
Because nicotine pouches don’t have tobacco, they may be safer than snus and other smokeless tobacco products, which can cause:
- Cancers of the mouth, throat, and pancreas
- Gum disease
- Tooth Loss
- Cavities and stained teeth
- Higher chances of heart disease and stroke
What to Do if You Want to Quit Tobacco
Don’t use a nicotine pouch without talking to your doctor first. If you’re a heavy smoker who lights up ten or more times a day, they may recommend you try a type of nicotine replacement therapy.