It’s always smart to do a little research on any new product you want to try, and nicotine pouches are no exception. And if you’re interested in ZYN pouches specifically, you may be wondering how they affect your body or mood. While every person responds to nicotine products uniquely, general side effects for nicotine pouches are possible for any brand you buy, including ZYN.
Here are some of the more common side effects of ZYN pouches, along with why they happen and what you can do if they bother you.
What is a side effect?
It's important to understand that a "side effect" is an undesirable secondary effect or an adverse effect. It is not intended to happen, and it’s never simply too much of a good effect. It’s something that doesn’t happen all the time to everyone and ranges from mild to severe.
Whether you decide to stop using something after a side effect is up to you and may be best directed by a physician or other health professional.
You may not always know right away if a side effect is related to nicotine or your use of a pouch, so let’s look at some more information to help you figure it out.
What are the side effects of nicotine?
Some of the side effects of using ZYN pouches are simply the result of nicotine use. Nicotine is a stimulant, and depending on the strength you choose, your tolerance, and how your body responds to nicotine, you could experience different things.
A 1991 study found that nicotine may actually have positive effects because it "binds to the cholinergic nicotinic gating site on cationic ion channels in receptors throughout the body." What does this mean? Through stimulation of the parts of the brain that release neurotransmitters, more serotonin and catecholamines may be accessible to the body.
Modern researchers have even looked at pure nicotine (not the type in tobacco products) as a potential therapeutic for disease protection.
While the science may sound interesting — and it is — the truth is that most people use nicotine products to feel good. Whether it's to be more alert, have a positive mood, reduce stress, or enjoy the “nicotine buzz,” everyone uses nicotine for different reasons.
Side effects of nicotine pouches
In addition to the way your body responds to nicotine, there are some side effects that can occur when you use nicotine pouches. They include the following:
- Hiccups
- Upset stomach
- Sore mouth
It’s not really known why the hiccups occur, but let’s take a look at the other side effects.
Upset stomach
You may experience stomach upset based on the pouch’s strength or flavor. You may have a sensitivity to the peppermint flavor in a pouch, for example like the ZYN Peppermint 3mg. It may be worth trying a different flavor, using unflavored nicotine pouches, or reducing the number of pouches you use in a day until you find the right balance for your stomach.
Mouth soreness
As far as a sore mouth, you could need time to adjust to the way you hold a nicotine pouch in your mouth. If you’re not used to putting something between your upper lip and gums, the new sensation and slight pressure could make it feel tender until you get used to it. Again, you could also have a sensitivity to the flavor used in the pouches. This may be the best time to try an unflavored pouch or one with a less intense or non-mint flavor while you figure out which types of ZYN pouches are easiest to tolerate.
Someone who is used to using snus, moist snuff, chewing tobacco products, or other smokeless tobacco products in their mouth may not be as sensitive to pouches. While pouches do not contain tobacco, they are used in a similar way, so seasoned tobacco users may find them easier to slip into their daily routine.
Are ZYN hiccups a side effect?
As mentioned above, hiccups can occur when too much nicotine is absorbed at once. Whether it’s a ZYN pouch or another brand, hiccups can occur and may precursor the less desirable adverse effects such as headaches or nausea.
How to avoid ZYN hiccups?
Hiccups aren’t as widely experienced compared to other adverse effects. However, there are steps to undertake that may reduce the likelihood of experiencing all side effects, including hiccups, some of which include:
- Stay hydrated.
- Start with ZYN 3mg products
- Don’t use lots of pouches on the same day.
- Listen to your body. You don’t have to keep the nicopod in for long if you feel its effects.
What to do if you experience ZYN nicotine pouch side effects
You may be really excited about trading in your combustible cigarettes or e-cigarettes for a smoke-free way to get your nicotine. Nicotine pouches are actually a popular choice for smoking cessation and can help you achieve your desirable nicotine levels without the poor health effects of so many other products made from a tobacco leaf.
So, what can you do if you don’t like the way you feel?
First, consider if what you are experiencing is really a side effect. Side effects are adverse or secondary effects that aren’t intended to happen. If you feel nervous, excited, or have a little buzzed feeling, it could be the nicotine doing what it’s intended to do, and it may not be a side effect at all.
However, if you have a symptom that is concerning, out of the ordinary, or something you would normally seek medical attention for, you should take it seriously and seek help from a health professional.
Other options to consider
ZYN makes many tobacco-free oral nicotine pouches in different nicotine strengths and flavors. A pouch that makes your mouth feel funny one day may be perfectly fine in a different flavor. If you typically have sensitivities to mint-flavored products, these may not be a good choice for you. Some people are allergic to mint and cannot use products flavored with any of the plants in the mint family, including nicotine gum.
You could also consider adjusting your nicotine pouch dose to a pouch with less nicotine, using fewer pouches throughout the day, or not using pouches for a period of time. If it’s your first time using ZYN nicotine pouches, it can take a while to get into the groove of what's right for you.
If you want to learn more about nicotine pouches, including reviews of some of the most popular options available, check out our other blog posts!
