How to Use Nicotine Pouches

Nicotine pouches are smokeless, spitless products that are meant to deliver nicotine to your body without the harmful effects of tobacco smoke.

Smokers and other users of tobacco and vaping products turn to nicotine pouches as a way to quit smoking and/or vaping. And since they come in small pouches, users can simply tuck one in their mouth without disrupting their respective surroundings. They do not have to spit throughout the entire usage, making the nicotine pouches truly discreet.

Knowing how to use nicotine pouches is key to a wonderful experience. This blog helps you understand how they work and things you should remember when using these pouches.

How Do Nicotine Pouches Work?

Given the long history of nicotine pouches, their primary composition has undergone changes over time. Today, many manufacturers stick with the most common ingredients that users love and desire.

One of the key ingredients of these smoke-free products is nicotine. Nicotine is the main active ingredient of the pouches. Once it enters the body, it binds to nicotinic cholinergic receptors in the brain, causing a dopamine release that triggers a pleasurable response. 

Aside from nicotine, nicotine pouches are also filled with water and microcrystalline cellulose. They work as the non-tobacco substrate. Additives, flavourings, and artificial sweeteners are likewise added to give more flavour to the pouches.

Now, the working principles of nicotine pouches are closely similar to those of snus, a popular smokeless tobacco product in Sweden.

Basically, you put a nicotine pouch in your mouth and park it there for a certain amount of time. You then have to wait for it to release the nicotine and its flavours to your body through the oral mucosa. The mucous membranes will subsequently absorb them so they can enter the bloodstream.

How to Properly Use Nicotine Pouches

Open the Can

Nicotine pouches are often placed inside round cans, making it easier for users to bring them whenever and wherever they want.

When using tobacco-free nicotine pouches, you must first open the can. You should use your nail to break the seal of the can. Once the seal is broken, you must twist or squeeze the sides of the can cover with your thumb and forefinger and lift it to gain access to your nicotine pouches.

Not all cans are similar. Hence, you should follow the instructions for opening and closing the can of your nicotine pouches.

Park the Nicotine Pouch Between Your Lip and Gum

After opening the can, you must take one nicotine pouch and place it in your mouth.

Nicotine pouches often come in small bags. Inside the bags are the ingredients that deliver both nicotine and flavour to your body. They do not contain any tobacco leaf, making them less harmful than traditional tobacco products.

So, placing them anywhere in your mouth is fine. However, it is highly advised to put one between the gum and the upper lip on either side. You can also place the nicotine pouch under your lower lip. Just make sure to flatten it against your gum for a more comfortable fit. 

Leave it Parked

Once you have placed the pouch in your mouth, you should leave it there for up to 60 minutes. For beginners, you should park it for 5 to 15 minutes.

During this time, you may feel a subtle tingling sensation coming from the pouch. It is caused by the gradual release of nicotine and flavours to your body. This sensation may last up to 15 minutes. 

Once this sensation is gone, you can now fully enjoy its content while you are on the move. Do not be afraid to do whatever you want to do as the nicotine pouch will not get in the way.

Remove the Pouch and Dispose of It

The final step in using an oral nicotine pouch is to dispose of it. 

After an hour or so, all flavour and nicotine content of the pouch are expected to be already gone. Therefore, you must remove it from your mouth and discard it in a trash can. 

Remember to not swallow the nicotine pouch as it can cause adverse effects. You should also avoid littering the used pouch anywhere. It is essential that you throw the used pouch in a trash bin. You can also put it temporarily in the top lid compartment of your can when a trash bin is not available.

Where to Use Nicotine Pouches: The Upper vs Lower Lip Debate

The nicotine pouch is placed between the lip and the gum. But one debate that has been going on for years is whether placing the pouch in the upper lip is similar to putting one in the lower lip.

When speaking of safety, convenience, and experience, the best place to put the nicotine pouch is under the upper lip.

Nicotine pouches have been designed to become the modernized version of traditional snus and chewing tobacco. However, unlike these products, pouches work best when placed in the upper lip.

One advantage of putting the pouch in your upper lip is it is comfortable. The extra space in your upper lip allows the nicotine pouch to sit comfortably for a long period of time. You can place the pouch in the said place for more than 30 minutes without feeling irritated. 

Another reason why a nicotine pouch should be placed in your upper lip is it generates less drip. Drip happens when the contents of the pouch blend with your excess saliva. It may enhance the intensity of the pouch’s flavour, but it can be messy and slushy. Dripping also leaves a bad aftertaste on the pouch and makes its texture slimy after a couple of minutes.

Safety is also enhanced when you put the nicotine pouch in your upper lip. When you put one in your lower lip, you have a high chance of swallowing it accidentally, which can be harmful to your health. Placing it in the upper lip makes the pouch more difficult to swallow accidentally.

How to Use Nicotine Pouches to Quit Smoking

Since many oral nicotine pouches today do not contain tobacco, many adult nicotine users and smokers believe that these products can serve as an alternative to cigarettes. They also lean towards these pouches as a gateway to quitting smoking.

According to Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health’s Vaughan Rees, nicotine pouches can indeed help adult smokers quit smoking cigarettes. As these people get their nicotine fix from the pouches without being exposed to cancer-causing chemicals from the smoke, they may have slightly decreased their risk of getting lung and heart diseases.

But the nicotine content of the pouches can still prevent a percentage of smokers from quitting smoking totally. Therefore, you must know how to use the pouches properly if you will be ditching cigarettes and other smokeless tobacco products.

To start the quitting process, you must replace the cigarettes you smoke with nicotine pouches that contain the right nicotine strength.

You can find one with the right nicotine strength you are used to consuming when smoking cigarettes. High-strength nicotine pouches contain more than 12 mg/g of nicotine, which is suitable for heavy smokers. Bridge nicotine pouches come in 10 to 15 mg/g of nicotine strength, making them perfect for heavy smokers or those who have a high nicotine tolerance.

Nicotine pouches with lower nicotine concentrations, alternatively, are for light to moderate smokers. The usual nicotine strength for these types of pouches ranges from 3 to 6 mg/g.

After adjusting to nicotine pouches, you can start decreasing the number of pouches you use daily to alleviate your nicotine dependence. You can also combine these pouches with other smoking cessation tools like nicotine gum and counselling from a medical expert.

How Long to Use Nicotine Pouches

Even though nicotine pouches do not produce harmful tobacco smoke, you should still use them with caution. You must know your limitations when it comes to the duration and frequency of their usage. For beginners, you must only use a pouch for around 0 to 15 minutes so you can adapt to the tingling sensation it releases when you put one in your mouth.

Once you are used to the said sensation, you can use the pouches for more than 20 minutes. Some people can even leave the pouch in for as long as 60 minutes in their mouths, savouring every ounce of nicotine and flavour it possesses.

As for the frequency, you should only use one pouch in an hour. Hence, if you consume a pouch for 20 minutes, you should wait for 40 minutes before you can use another one.

On the other hand, if you are trying to quit smoking, you can put one in your mouth whenever you get the urge to light a cigarette. 

How Fast Do Nicotine Pouches Work?

Whenever you puff your cigarette or cigar, the nicotine delivery is almost instantaneous. Hence, expect a rapid soothing sensation in every hit of these nicotine products.

This is one of the things that make nicotine pouches different from cigars and cigarettes. As you place one pouch between your upper lip and gum, you have to wait for a few minutes before it starts to dissipate the nicotine and flavour into your bloodstream. The delivery of nicotine to your body with a pouch is gradual, which means you can only feel its effect slowly.

Aside from their slow nicotine delivery to the user, these pouches are also said to release a lower magnitude of the highly addictive substance. So, even at high nicotine levels, nicotine pouches will not instantly flood your body with the substance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I Use Nicotine Pouches to Quit Smoking?

Yes, you can. Although not officially approved as a tool for nicotine replacement therapy, you can use nicotine pouches as a way to get your nicotine fix without the harm associated with cigarette smoke. Just make sure to opt for the right nicotine strength and flavour.

How Long Do Nicotine Pouches Kick In?

The nicotine delivery of pouches is slower than cigarettes. As they release the substance to your body through your bloodstream, you can expect its effects to be felt after 10 to 20 minutes of use. During this time, your brain releases dopamine and other neurotransmitters, making you feel calm and relaxed.

How Do You Use Nicotine Pouches?

Using nicotine pouches is simple. First, you must open the cover lid of the can and get one pouch. Then, place it between your upper lip and gum and let it park for a couple of minutes. Beginners should leave the pouch for at most 15 minutes, while experienced users can park it for up to 1 hour. After the flavour and nicotine are gone, throw the used pouch in the trash bin.

Summary

The steps needed to use nicotine pouches properly are simple.

You must first open the can to gain access to flavorful nicotine pouches. Next, you must place one in your mouth, particularly between the upper lip and the gum. For a couple of minutes, you should let the nicotine pouch diffuse its flavour and nicotine to your bloodstream. Once you have exhausted the contents of the pouch, you must throw it away at the nearest trash bin.

Nicotine pouches are your go-to option if you want to satisfy your nicotine cravings or reduce your tobacco dependence. They are also sleek, allowing you to use them whenever and wherever you want.