Have you recently switched from another nicotine product like cigarettes or vapes to the nicotine pouch? If so, you may have wondered if it really delivers the same nicotine experience as these other options. Recent studies have good news for you. Get a better look at just what to expect when using nicotine pouches and learn why they are making waves as an ideal alternative to smoking or chewing.
Study reveals efficiency of nicotine pouches
The first study we’ll reference is a 2020 paper titled "Pharmacokinetic Comparison of a Novel Non-tobacco-Based Nicotine Pouch (ZYN) With Conventional, Tobacco-Based Swedish Snus and American Moist Snuff.” It shared good news for those using nicotine pouches after answering the question of whether pouches offer the same satisfying benefits as chewing tobacco or snuff.
The study found that while the pouches had a lower overall nicotine amount than snus or snuff, they delivered the nicotine just as quickly. Furthermore, pouches offer a similar concentration as the snus and snuff, making pouches a reasonable alternative for those who want to give up chewing tobacco or snus.
The study specifically looked at ZYN pouches in various strengths. It concluded that when using two higher doses of 6mg and 8mg nicotine, they worked similarly to smokeless tobacco. The researchers also noted that there were no significant adverse effects on the user, which is a potential benefit for those worried about tobacco harm.
2022 study claims nicotine pouches may be a suitable replacement
Another, more recent study goes even further to examine whether nicotine pouches not only deliver the same amount of nicotine but can do so without creating additional dependencies or causing users to abuse the products.
In a 2022 study, the authors looked at how likely users were to abuse nicotine pouches compared to cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products.
The results concluded that people who used nicotine pouches weren't any more likely to abuse nicotine than people who smoked or used moist tobacco products. In fact, when combined with data from a previous study, the authors concluded that even flavored nicotine pouches with higher nicotine levels were no more likely to cause people to overuse nicotine. This is good news for those who wonder if flavored options, like mint or citrus, may make people more likely to overuse nicotine.
As such, the researchers concluded that nicotine pouches could be a suitable alternative for people who want to stop smoking or using tobacco products, since they were able to deal with their cravings without the added harmful ingredients found in cigarettes and snuff.
What we can learn from these studies
These two studies support nicotine pouch use as a favorable alternative to smoking. If you have thought about giving up smoking or chewing tobacco, these studies tell us two things:
- Nicotine pouches offer a comparable nicotine delivery and experience compared to cigarettes and smokeless tobacco. You are likely to feel satisfied, but you may have to use the pouches with higher levels of nicotine (such as the 6mg or 8mg) to achieve the same effect.
- While some may worry that nicotine pouches can be abused or possibly overused compared to cigarettes, this is unlikely according to the study authors. They found that overall nicotine use was within an acceptable range and without negative effects. This means that nicotine pouches can serve as an alternative for those who want to stop smoking cigarettes and move to a tobacco-free nicotine option.
Whether you like plain or flavored nicotine pouches, now you know how they compare to other nicotine products. The data seems to position pouches favorably for those who want to enjoy a tobacco-free nicotine buzz.
