What is a Nicotine Pouch?
A nicotine pouch, often referred to as a nicotine snus pouch or nic pouch, is a small, slim white pouch that contains nicotine - as well as other ingredients, too. These pouches come in a wide range of flavours and brands, with some of the best brands including TACJA, Killa, and Velo.
These pouches are made for oral use only and should be placed inside the mouth between the upper lip and gum, where the pouch gradually releases nicotine into the bloodstream. An important distinction between nicotine pouches and other oral nicotine products is that they’re not made to be chewed or sucked and they also shouldn’t be swallowed. Instead, once you’re finished with your nic pouch you should remove it and dispose of it in a general waste bin.
What Happens If You Accidentally Swallow A Nicotine Pouch?
If you’ve accidentally (or intentionally) swallowed a nicotine pouch and are now concerned about the possible side effects or consequences of doing so - take a breath. There’s no need to panic or worry. Despite often being referred to as snus nicotine pouches, our nicotine pouches are 100% free from tobacco, which means they don’t contain any form of tobacco whatsoever.
As the majority these pouches are made using mostly natural ingredients the risk of any type of internal damage is almost none. Most nicotine pouches are made using the following - water, salt, flavourings as well as food-grade fillings which naturally break down in your system. Although as the pouches are not made to be edible and contain nicotine there is a chance that they could upset your stomach.
Whilst swallowing a nicotine pouch here and there may not cause any problems, if it’s something that you do regularly we’d recommend that you stop. These pouches have not been developed for consumption and still contain chemicals, such as nicotine, which could cause problems when high quantities enter the digestive system. The severity of the symptoms may also depend upon the strength of the nicotine pouch. Strong nicotine pouches are more likely to result in adverse affects than swallowing light nicotine pouches with a low strength.
The Risks of Nicotine
Like with any addictive substance, there are risks involved with the use of nicotine - especially if you’re using it on a regular basis. Nicotine itself isn’t carcinogenic, so it doesn’t cause cancer, but it is a very addictive chemical. Due to its addictive nature and the risks of developing nicotine dependency, we’d strongly recommend that you seriously consider how nicotine might affect you before deciding whether or not you’re willing to use nicotine pouches.
Nicotine, once absorbed by the body, can have a few negative effects on the body. These side effects range from mild changes such as a temporary headache or feelings of nausea, to more severe like elevated blood pressure and increased heart rate. If you’re concerned that you may be having an adverse reaction to nicotine you should seek professional medical advice immediately.
More importantly if you believe, or know, that a child has accidentally swallowed a nicotine pouch, or pouches, you should contact a medical professional as soon as possible. Nicotine poisoning is a serious risk in small children and can cause irreversible damage to their bodies. It’s essential that you always keep your nicotine pouches out of the reach of children to avoid any accidental ingestion.
Lastly, go with your gut. If you’ve swallowed a nicotine pouch but feel fine several hours later, then there’s likely nothing to worry about. However, if at any point you begin to feel sick, encounter stomach pains or intestinal discomfort you should take note and see your GP as soon as you’re able to. It’s always better to be safe, rather than sorry!
More Information
For more information on nicotine pouches, including how to use them, which brands and flavours are best, and what strength of nicotine would be suitable for you - checl out our helpful guides and blogs at Grey Haze in the list below!
