The Popularity and Risk of Zyn Pouches

Popularity, Addiction, and Risks

Zyn’s popularity and concern, chemical composition, nicotine health research, and potential risks with nicotine.

Sources

1. Nicotine Poisoning: “Death” By ZYN
2. What’s Inside Zyn Nicotine Pouches? We Tested Six Flavors.
3. ZYN — Oral Health Risks and Benefits!

Zyn’s Popularity

Zyn is a smokeless nicotine product containing nicotine salts available in 3mg and 6mg strengths. Zyn is placed between the lip and gum and works faster than nicotine gum. Zyn was originally manufactured by Swedish Match, and it was later acquired by Philip Morris International in 2022. It has experienced a surge in popularity, with sales increasing by 78% with 116 million cans sold in the fourth quarter of 2023, reaching 24% of the smokeless tobacco market.

There are also various other brands like Rogue, Velo, and Lucy, which have also become increasingly popular.

However, Zyn, and other products, has spark some concern over its popular among young users. These pouches are marketed with fruity flavors and can be bought at gas stations, smoke shops, and supermarkets. Unlike cigarette brands, nicotine pouch brands are allowed to advertise on billboards and television, which raises concerns about targeting youth.

There is also a risk of children imitating adults’ behavior and accidentally ingesting nicotine. Its discreet natures makes it easier for its use under the lip to stay hidden from adult. However, CDC data shows low usage among middle and high school students.

Chemical Composition

Mass spectrometry, a technique that identifies the composition of a substance by measuring the mass of its molecules, has revealed that nicotine is the primary bioactive molecule in Zyn, with no detectable tobacco-related alkaloids. The pouches contain cellulose or wood pulp, artificial sweeteners, flavorings, and nicotine, but no tobacco leaf.

Nicotine Health Research

Some public health experts believe nicotine pouches like Zyn could help adult smokers switch to safer alternatives. Evidence from Sweden, where similar products have been used since the 1970s, indicates lower smoking rates and reduced incidence of smoking-related cancers. However, the long-term effects of nicotine use remain an area of active research.

Nicotine affects the central nervous system, influencing noradrenaline, norepinephrine, and dopamine pathways. Epinephrine and cortisol increases heartrate and focus, while dopamine and endorphins reduces appetite, reduce pain and stress, and promotes euphoria. Additionally, combining nicotine with other stimulants like caffeine might increase the risk of neurological issues.

Nicotine is one of the most physically and psychologically addictive substances known. If you start using it, you’ll likely struggle with it for the rest of your life. The physical addiction lasts around three days, but the psychological addiction is much harder to overcome due to strong habits and social cues.

Once someone is used to nicotine, there can be itchiness, nervousness, and stress for up to 72 hours. N-acetyl cysteine and KSM-66 ashwagandha might help curb cravings.

Nicotine Pouch Risks

While nicotine pouches may be less harmful than smoking or vaping and is not known to cause cancer or lung disease, these pouches carry other potential risks. Repeated use in the same spot can irritate gum tissue and potentially cause gum recession. It is habit-forming and potentially addictive, especially for those prone to addiction. The FDA is currently reviewing Zyn as part of its authorization process for nicotine pouch manufacturers.

Nicotine poisoning is a serious and often overlooked issue with the rise of new nicotine products like disposable vapes, nicotine salt pouches, and Nicorette gum. Symptoms of nicotine poisoning occur in two stages.

The First Stage: The initial stage presents rapid symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, increased heart rate and blood pressure, pale skin, headache, dizziness, and confusion. This stage can last up to 24 hours.

The Second Stage: The subsequent stage, lasting 30 minutes to four hours, involves symptoms like diarrhea, shallow breathing, decreased heart rate and blood pressure, weakness, slowed reflexes, numbness, and potential seizures.

Modern nicotine products, especially those using nicotine salts, are absorbed faster, leading to increased tolerance and more frequent use. Users may experience nicotine poisoning symptoms without realizing the cause, and the impact on physical and psychological health can be severe, especially for younger users.

Nicotine products, particularly those that encourage swallowing saliva, such as snus or Zin, or consuming e-liquid from vape products, have an increased risks of nicotine poisoning.