ZYN Side Effects

Overuse of ZYN has been known to cause headaches in some people. This could be because your blood vessels constrict when using nicotine or that consuming excessive amounts of nicotine can be dehydrating. Keep an eye out for:

• Cluster headaches (if you have several a day);
• Tension headaches (if you feel a tightness or pressure in the head);
• Migraines (if you experience a severe throbbing pain that affects your vision, and you’re suddenly sensitive to light and noise). 

These may also be a sign of nicotine dependency if you’re going through withdrawal symptoms. Check out our guide for nicotine headaches if you’re unsure how to deal with them. 

Many people say that they turn to nicotine for relief when they feel stressed, but the irony here is that too much nicotine can end up increasing your levels of stress and anxiety. This is because nicotine is partly a stimulant and your brain can easily become dependent on increased levels of:  

• Dopamine (the feel-good hormone);
• Serotonin (a mood regulator); 
• Adrenaline (your instinctive “fight or flight” response).  
  
  

Without realizing it, some people may up their consumption to a point where they find themselves with a nicotine addiction – building a certain tolerance to nicotine, so they feel like they need more milligrams to achieve the same effect.

If you start to consume less nicotine or choose to cut it out completely, it’s also totally normal to feel depleted from the “highs” of before. Symptoms can include worrying more than usual, rapid thinking, irritability or low mood and difficulty concentrating. 

The good news is that these symptoms will ease the longer you stay away from nicotine or regain control of your consumption. Nicotine should only ever be used in moderation and never at the expense of your mental health.  

The placement of nicotine pouches under your top lip means your mouth is naturally the most exposed to nicotine. Heavy ZYN use over time can increase your risk of gum disease and receding gums (where bits of tissue are worn away and the root of your tooth is more exposed).

Nicotine also has a dehydrating effect, so do consult your dentist if you feel like chronic dry mouth is becoming an issue for you. That being said, you shouldn’t experience the same level of teeth discoloration as smokers or snus-users, thanks to ZYN’s all-white pouches.

If you start to get irritated gums from ZYN, we recommend switching it to the other side of your mouth. You should also avoid moving the pouch around too much when in use, since the rubbing can cause abrasions.  

Nicotine pouches have been known to cause sore throats – with some people going so far as to call it “ZYN throat.” At first you might feel a burn or a tingle as the nicotine is released from the pouch, which is totally normal. This could, however, progress to more scratchiness in the throat, heartburn or even acid reflux if you swallow too much ZYN spit.

This is generally more of an issue for Strong and Extra Strong pouches, but we can’t rule it out for ZYN’s 3mg and 6mg assortment as nicotine affects people differently and will depend on your level of experience/tolerance. 

There have been some instances of ZYN causing “nic-ups,” or hiccups triggered by nicotine. While not inherently dangerous, these can certainly get annoying after a while – especially if they happen too often.

One of the possible causes is thought to be swallowing too much nicotine rather than letting it absorb through the oral mucosa, or your mouth lining. This can stimulate the phrenic nerve and lead to contractions or spasms in your diaphragm (where the “hic” sound comes from). 

This reaction is not so common among regular ZYN users, but still, some people may be more prone to hiccupping than others and you should consider your own sensitivity here. 

If you have a history of heart problems or high blood pressure, you really shouldn’t be using products, like ZYN, that contain nicotine.

Nicotine releases adrenaline which is known to increase your heart rate and can be dangerous if you have hypertension or any other pre-existing cardiovascular conditions. As the active ingredient in cigarettes, we also know that nicotine causes a narrowing/hardening of the arteries and can lead to serious health complications over time.

If you start to experience heart palpitations or an irregular heartbeat, it could be a sign of nicotine poisoning and you should get in touch with a doctor immediately. 

Nicotine stimulates the production of stomach acid, so if you consume too many ZYNs too quickly or over-do it in terms of the strength of those pouches, it may lead to some aching, cramping and general queasiness.

In extreme cases, it may even have a laxative effect and cause diarrhea.  

It’s too soon to say whether nicotine pouches have any negative long-term side effects since they’ve only been around the last 10 years or so in the US. Naturally, researchers are keen to better understand the smokeless category and it’s attracting a lot of medical attention now as more people make the switch to ZYN and other brands.

What we can say with certainty is that anyone who exposes themselves to cigarette smoke is also being exposed to thousands of cancer-causing toxicants with every puff. Meanwhile, ZYN is smoke-free and tobacco-free, so will not pose the same sort of respiratory health risks.

The important thing to remember here is that being tobacco-free doesn’t mean totally risk-free.

If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms listed above on a regular basis, you should consult a doctor and try to lower your nicotine intake or quit nicotine pouches entirely. As with any addictive substance, don’t be afraid to reach out for help either if you feel like nicotine is taking a toll on your life or you need support cutting back.