The amount of nicotine in nicopods is not the same as the amount of nicotine absorbed by your body. Most of that nicotine doesn’t even make it into your bloodstream. This allows us to distinguish between two things:
- Total nicotine—The total amount of nicotine contained in a product
- Free (unionized, freebase) nicotine—The amount of nicotine absorbed by your body
To find out how much nicotine is absorbed from pouches, we will examine the most popular smokeless tobacco pouches, including dip, snus, and nicotine pouches.
How Many Milligrams of Nicotine Is Absorbed From Pouches?
The nicotine absorption rates differ drastically between nicopods, ranging from 19% to over 50%, so the quantity you’ll consume in milligrams depends on the amount of the substance in the pouch. As expected, the pouch type is the crucial factor, so let’s examine how efficient each type is.
Source: Swenico
How Much Nicotine Is Absorbed From a Nicotine Pouch?
With nicotine absorption up to 50%, nicotine pouches are the most efficient nicotine consumption method.
A recent study by Lunell et al. analyzed the nicotine absorption rates from moist snuff, snus, and nicotine pouches. Test subjects were given nicopods of varying strength, ranging from 3 to 8 mg/pouch, and instructed to use them for 60 minutes. After completion, the contents were assessed for residual nicotine to obtain exact extraction levels.
The study revealed that after 60 minutes of consumption, the body absorbed at least 50% of the nicotine found in nicotine pouches, while a smaller portion was absorbed through the digestive system. Check out the study results in the table below:
| Product | Number of Subjects | Nicotine Content (mg/pouch) | Extracted Nicotine (mg/pouch) | Extracted Nicotine (%) |
| Nicotine pouch | 17 | 3 | 1.59 | 55.9 |
| 17 | 6 | 3.51 | 59.1 | |
| 30 | 8 | 3.79 | 50.4 |
According to another study conducted by the Federal Insitute for Risk Assessment, 60–70% of the total nicotine content contained in the pouch is released during the first 5–10 minutes of consumption, showing that there’s no need to reuse nicopods. When absorbed, nicotine levels reach peak concentration in 22–26 minutes.
Another study analyzing 37 brands of nicotine pouches from six manufacturers found significant variations in moisture content (ranging from 1.12% to 47.2%) and alkalinity (pH 6.86 to 10.1), which resulted in a free nicotine range of 7.7% to 99.2%.
How Much Nicotine Is Absorbed From a Snus Pouch?
Several studies have shown that snus pouches’ nicotine absorption rates range from 32% to 37%.
According to a comparative study that analyzed nicotine absorption from loose snus and portioned snus, loose snus has a much higher nicotine absorption rate. With loose snus, 49% of the nicotine gets absorbed, compared to only 37% of the nicotine absorbed from portioned snus.
The study by Lunell et al. came to a similar conclusion, finding that only 32% of the total nicotine content from a snus pouch is metabolized, as you can see from the table below:
| Product | Number of Subjects | Nicotine Content (mg/pouch) | Extracted Nicotine (mg/pouch) | Extracted Nicotine (%) |
| Swedish snus | 17 | 8 | 2.41 | 32 |
Another study comparing the nicotine uptake rate between snus and cigarettes shows that nicotine levels increase rapidly after consuming a cigarette but then decrease as quickly. With snus, the effect has a slower onset, longer duration, and slower decline, reaching peak levels one hour after placement.
How Much Nicotine Is Absorbed From a Dipping Pouch?
Source: Humusak
According to the results of the aforementioned study by Lunell et al., we can only absorb around 19% of the total nicotine content from moist snuff, making dipping pouches the product with the lowest nicotine absorption rate.
Their findings are presented in the table below:
| Product | Number of Subjects | Nicotine Content (mg/pouch) | Extracted Nicotine (mg/pouch) | Extracted Nicotine (%) |
| Moist snuff | 30 | 18 | 3 | 19 |
It’s important to keep in mind that these are the findings of a single study, which may not accurately reflect nicotine absorption rates for every dipping product. Some manufacturers add salt and alkalizing agents to the fermented tobacco to optimize the pH value within the pouch, which affects the nicotine absorption rates.
Common Factors Influencing Nicotine Absorption
Even though it may seem straightforward at first glance, nicotine absorption is a complex process that depends on a combination of several factors, including:
- Nicotine strength—The amount of nicotine absorbed from a pouch is in direct correlation with its strength. Pouches with more nicotine content have higher absorption rates, and vice versa
- pH levels—Nicotine is absorbed more efficiently in alkaline environments. The higher the pH level, the more nicotine reaches the bloodstream
- Moisture—Higher moisture content enhances salivation and creates more drip, increasing the nicotine release rate and absorption
- Usage duration—While most of the nicotine is released within the first 10 minutes, using a pouch for up to 30 minutes increases the amount absorbed into your system
- Individual factors—Individual factors, such as saliva production and the condition of your oral mucosa, significantly affect specific nicotine absorption rates
How Many Milligrams of Nicotine Are in Pouches?
Pouches, both tobacco-free and tobacco-containing pouches, contain anywhere from 1 to 30 mg of nicotine per pouch, with some outlier products crossing the 50-mg mark. Nicopods, thanks to their tobacco-free nature, span across that entire potency range, while snus and dipping pouches hover somewhere in the middle.
How Much Nicotine Is in a Nicopod?
On average, nicopods contain between 1.5 and 50 mg of nicotine (per gram).
Because they don’t contain tobacco and are made using only food-grade ingredients and pharmaceutical-grade nicotine, manufacturers can precisely determine how much nicotine is stored in each pouch. This allows the manufacturers to cater to every type of customer by providing mild, starter-pack nicopods as well as strong, heavy-hitting pouches.
As always, that many options can cause confusion, so if you are a novice user and have questions like “3mg nicotine pouches equals how many cigarettes?” or want to make sure you choose the right strength, check out the recommendations below:
- Low (1.5–5 mg/g)—Suitable for occasional users and social smokers who consume less than five cigarettes daily
- Regular (6–11 mg/g)—Excellent for regular users who don’t smoke more than 10 cigarettes per day
- Strong (12–17 mg/g)—Fit for seasoned consumers with moderate to high nicotine tolerance levels and smokers who go through around 15 cigarettes per day
- Extra Strong (18 mg/g and above)—Only recommended to long-time users with high nicotine tolerance and heavy smokers who consume more than a pack of cigarettes per day
Some of the most renowned and sought-after brands offering nicopods in every abovementioned category are:
How Much Nicotine Is in Snus?
The nicotine strength of snus pouches is determined by the amount and quality of the tobacco blend contained in the pouch. Snus nicotine levels range from 4 to 43 mg/g, but most products hover between 8 and 22 mg/g.
On average, snus pouches are milder than nicopods, even if we don’t account for the absorption rates. Still, they cover a broad spectrum, allowing tobacco enthusiasts to find the strength that closely matches their needs.
Some well-known brands include:
- Ettan
- General
- Göteborgs Rapé
- Lundgrens
How Much Nicotine Is in Dip Pouches?
Dipping pouches show the least variation in nicotine potency levels, typically between 8 and 14 mg/g, depending on the manufacturer and brand.
The pouch size also influences its potency, as the total amount of tobacco dictates the nicotine content. Since you’re meant to place the dip pouch under your lower lip, the pouches can’t be too big, which is why the nicotine content of dip pouches isn’t too high.
Some of the top brands available in the U.S. are:
- Copenhagen
- Grizzly
- Kodiak
- Skoal
- Timber Wolf
Source: Swenico
How To Avoid Excessive Nicotine Consumption When Using Nicotine Pouches?
Follow these guidelines to avoid the potential health risks and side effects associated with excessive nicotine intake:
- Start with mild nicopods and gradually ramp up the strength until you find what works for you
- Avoid using more than one pouch at the same time. If you find your nicotine pouches too weak, pick stronger ones
- Wait at least an hour (preferably two) between sessions to avoid overconsumption
- Don’t chew or swallow nicotine pouches. This could cause acid reflux
- Stay well-hydrated by drinking water or tea
- Be mindful of your body’s reactions. If you start experiencing any discomfort, headaches, or anxiety, cease further usage and consult a healthcare professional
Don’t use nicotine products if you are under 21, pregnant, breastfeeding, or suffering from an underlying health condition such as cardiovascular issues or diabetes.
Always purchase nicotine pouches from reliable vendors who sell products from well-established and trustworthy brands. This ensures that your nicotine experience is enjoyable and risk-free.
SnusBoss—Your Top Destination for High-Quality Nicotine Pouches
Via: SnusBoss
If you’re looking for high-quality nicotine pouches, SnusBoss should be your go-to choice. The online store, curated by industry experts, features an extensive selection of nicopods manufactured in the EU, which are known to have higher absorption rates compared to domestic brands.
The products below offer more moisture, richer flavors, and, most importantly, the most satisfying nicotine hit than any domestic manufacturer:
| Velo | Pik | Glitch | Roger | Kurwa |
| Zyn | Snatch | Kick | Chapo | Paz |
| Jäger | Thunder | Kozmo | Dope | Skruf |
| Klint | GOAT | Pablo | Hit | Thor |
| Oryx | Denssi | Siberia | Killa | White Fox |
To order these products from SnusBoss, follow the steps below:
- Visit the online store
- Choose your preferred brand and flavor
- Enter your shipping and payment details
SnusBoss runs promotions regularly and offers various benefits, from discounts and savings on bulk purchases to express shipping. The latter guarantees you’ll receive your order within 2–3 business days, and the former gets you free delivery as long as your order exceeds $249.
Featured image source: Swenico
