If you use nicotine pouches or other nicotine products and have heard people talking about getting a "buzz," you may be wondering if there really is such a thing. How does nicotine use contribute to this feeling? How does it differ from person to person?
Here is more about what we call “buzz” and whether it’s possible to get one when using nicotine pouches.
What is a nicotine buzz?
When people talk about a nicotine buzz, they are generally referring to the feeling they get when using nicotine pouches. Not surprisingly, nicotine isn’t the only way to get this response. People may talk of the same thing when referring to drinking coffee or even when consuming sugar.
No matter the cause, our body responds to the things it consumes because of its connection with the brain.
What does a nicotine buzz feel like?
The experience can vary from person to person, but there are some common sensations people report. For many, it’s a light, floaty feeling—almost like a gentle head rush. Some people feel more alert, while others experience a tingling sensation, especially if they’re new to nicotine or using a stronger pouch than usual.
The sensation tends to come on quickly and fade gradually. If you’re not used to nicotine, the feeling can be more intense and may even come with light-headedness or a flushed face. That’s why finding the right strength is key—it’s all about the sweet spot, so it’s not overwhelming.
How does the “nic buzz” work?
The brain uses chemical messengers to communicate. They are called neurotransmitters, and each has a distinct role in carrying messages throughout the body by communicating between the neurons and cells. Different substances trigger different neurotransmitters, which is why the body responds uniquely depending on what’s consumed.
Nicotine activates specific receptors found in the peripheral and central nervous systems called nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Nicotine interacts with these nicotinic acetylcholine receptors by binding to them and triggering a release of neurotransmitters. From there, however, it’s not completely known how nicotine affects the brain, nervous system, and other systems.
It’s assumed that it increases acetylcholine release, which may boost cognitive function, at least for a time, and help people feel focused. It may also make some people feel alert or aroused through increased norepinephrine. Its interaction with various systems may ultimately affect areas of the body such as the adrenal glands, which create adrenaline and can produce that feeling of a rush or "buzz."
So, is nicotine a stimulant?
Yes, nicotine is a stimulant as it speeds up communication between your brain and body. This can explain the focused, alert sensation some experience after using it. By binding to specific receptors mentioned above, nicotine causes the release of dopamine and norepinephrine, contributing to the substance's stimulatory effects.
This feeling can resemble the rush experienced after drinking coffee or an energy drink, though it usually comes on faster and can feel stronger, especially for new users.
What’s the difference between a hit, a buzz, and a nicotine high?
While people often use the terms hit, buzz, or high to describe the effects of nicotine, they each refer to slightly different parts of the experience.
- A hit is the actual act of using the nicotine product, like putting in a pouch or taking a puff of a cigarette. It’s about getting the dose of nicotine your body is expecting.
- A buzz is the sensation that follows. It’s the result of nicotine interacting with the brain’s receptors, which triggers the release of feel-good chemicals like dopamine and endorphins. It can be a momentary rush, a sense of light-headedness, or a flushed sensation, varying by person and dose.
- A high is sometimes used to describe a more intense version of a buzz, usually felt by someone new to nicotine or those who use a higher strength product.
While these words can overlap and be used interchangeably in casual conversation, they highlight different parts of the nicotine experience: the hit is the action, the buzz is the feeling, and the high is an amplified version of that feeling.
Does nicotine get you high?
While the word “high” is sometimes used, it’s not quite the same as the high one might associate with other substances. It’s more accurate to describe the feeling as a short-term lift—one that may include light-headedness, relaxation, or an improved mood.
For some users—especially those new to nicotine or returning after a break—the experience can feel intense at first and lead to some side effects. But for most regular users, it’s more about a satisfying lift than anything overwhelming or disorienting.
How long does it take to feel a buzz?
The time it takes can vary depending on a person’s experience with nicotine. Seasoned users may be slower to feel it because their bodies are more accustomed, while someone returning to nicotine after a break may feel the effects much faster.
Nicotine is one of the substances that travels quite quickly through the bloodstream, reaching the brain and nervous system within seconds for some and minutes for others.
How much nicotine do you need?
Nicotine pouch strength plays a big role in how quickly and strongly effects are felt. While the nicotine pouch slowly releases the nicotine over a period of an hour or more, a pouch with a higher nicotine concentration, or moisture like Alp pouches, could produce a quicker or more intense rush. This is one of the reasons why there is such a wide variety of options on the market today for nicotine pouches.
Someone who doesn’t need that much nicotine to be satisfied should be able to choose just what they need and nothing more. Likewise, someone who has been a long-time smoker making the switch to nicotine pouches may prefer higher-strength pouches. They may help maintain the pleasurable experience the person seeks, without the side effects associated with tobacco.
How long does a nicotine buzz last?
The longevity of the “rush” can vary depending on several factors—your body chemistry, how much nicotine you’ve consumed, how often you use nicotine, and even the specific product you're using.
For most people, the initial feeling from a nicotine pouch lasts anywhere from a few minutes to upwards of 30 minutes. After that, the more obvious effects fade, though the nicotine continues to circulate in your system for a while; in some cases, research has shown it to last for days.
Seasoned users might find that the sensation doesn’t last as long, or they may not notice it as much at all—this is where tolerance comes into play.
Can you build up a nicotine tolerance?
Every human body is different, and some people are simply more sensitive to nicotine than others. It may take longer for one person to feel a buzz, while another may need very little nicotine to get that rush.
If you’ve ever smoked for a time, you know that you can eventually feel the nicotine less from the same number of cigarettes. That’s one of the reasons why people eventually switch to products like nicotine pouches. If you enjoy the buzz of a certain amount of nicotine but don't want to subject your body to the tobacco or tar found in cigarettes, nicotine pouches can help create that same boost.
Scientists do think that repeated nicotine use can cause the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors to become less sensitive over time, which has been shown in research, and that your brain may actually create more of them as a response. This may be why, if you use nicotine regularly and then stop, you could feel a crash, loss of energy, and lack of focus as your brain adapts to not having nicotine.
