Nicopods are becoming an increasingly popular way to enjoy nicotine without the adverse health implications of cigarettes, vapes, and other tobacco products. They’re a tobacco-free version of classic snus pouches, replacing the plant with nicotine powder that’s either synthetic or purified to medicine-grade quality.
Nicotine pouches have multiple advantages over more traditional options for nicotine enjoyers, like chewing tobacco, snus, and cigarettes—including the ability to swallow saliva while using them instead of having to spit it out and the absence of tobacco-specific health risks.
While swallowing the saliva is not harmful, you’re not supposed to chew or swallow the pouches. If that happens, you should know how to react and what the possible side effects are.
This guide will lay out what happens if you swallow a nicotine pouch in detail, help you react to the situation properly, and teach you about the potential health implications of nicotine pouches.
Is Swallowing a Nicotine Pouch Dangerous?
If you accidentally swallow a nicotine pouch, don’t panic. You probably won’t suffer any serious consequences, especially if this only happened once.
Unlike dip pouches, nicopods don’t contain tobacco, which could make you sick upon ingestion. The chances of nicotine poisoning or other complications after swallowing one pouch aren’t high as the nicotine content in a single pouch is not sufficient to cause such adverse effects and other ingredients are food-grade.
When used as intended, pouches release nicotine gradually, which is then absorbed through oral mucosa (the tissue lining the mouth), leading the substance straight to your bloodstream. If you swallow the pouch, the nicotine will be processed by your digestive system instead. As a result, the absorption will be slower, and you’ll receive less nicotine. Your intestines and stomach aren’t capable of retaining nearly as much of it.
Nicotine pouches aren’t designed to be ingested, and swallowing them may lead to digestive discomfort. The nicotine itself is a major factor here, as your personal sensitivity to the substance determines how you react to swallowing a pouch.
If you swallow more than one nicopod or if you start feeling any adverse symptoms, contact a medical professional and seek further advice.
Source: Sander Sammy
Contents of Nicotine Pouches Explained
To learn more about the ingredients found in the average nicotine pouch, consult the table below:
| Nicopod Ingredient | Explanation |
| Nicotine salts | Pharmaceutical-grade nicotine salts are less irritable than freebase nicotine, resulting in a smoother kick |
| Stabilizers | Hydroxypropyl cellulose and similar plant-based materials provide texture and consistency to the pouch, ensuring all ingredients stay safely encased within |
| pH adjusters | Sodium carbonate and bicarbonate maintain sufficient pH levels, resulting in more efficient nicotine absorption through the mucous membrane |
| Fillers | Plant fibers that add bulk to the pouch to give it the proper shape and size |
| Sweeteners | Sugar substitutes like sucralose and acesulfame potassium make the taste of nicopods more pleasant |
| Artificial flavorings | Food-grade flavorings infuse the pouches with various aromas, such as coffee, citrus, mint, and others |
Despite the relative safety of these ingredients, there’s a higher risk of digestive discomfort if you’re new to nicotine pouches, including:
- Diarrhea
- Upset stomach
- Vomiting
- Nausea
The severity of these issues will also depend on the strength of the swallowed pouch. Nicopods with a higher nicotine content per pouch are more likely to cause digestive distress or even nicotine poisoning.
Symptoms of Nicotine Poisoning
Swallowing a single nicopod is unlikely to cause nicotine poisoning, as individual pouches rarely have sufficient amounts of the substance. Overconsumption or combining pouches with other nicotine sources can be problematic, though. Knowing the symptoms of nicotine poisoning can help you recognize when medical assistance is needed.
Consult the table below for a breakdown of early and late symptoms of nicotine poisoning:
| Signs of Nicotine Poisoning | Description |
| Early stages | Sweating Excessive salivation Dizziness Stomach pain Increased blood pressure Raised heart rate Headache Nausea and vomiting |
| Late stages | Slow heart rate Seizures Low blood pressure Breathing difficulties |
If you recognize any early-stage symptoms, contact your healthcare provider—their assistance will help you avoid the more severe, late-stage symptoms.
To avoid nicotine poisoning, only take pouches with a nicotine content you’re comfortable with. If you’re unsure of your tolerance to nicotine, start with a less potent product and work your way up to stronger nicopods.
How To Use Nicotine Pouches Properly
Even though the manufacturer’s instructions may vary slightly between brands, consuming nicopods involves the following steps:
- Ensure your hands are clean
- Open the child-proof lid
- Take a nicotine pouch and inspect it for any signs of deterioration or rupturing
- Park the pouch between your upper lip and gums
- Wait around 30 minutes for the nicotine to be fully absorbed
- Remove the used pouch
Keeping the pouch firmly in place will reduce the risk of accidental ingestion. Once you feel the nicotine buzz winding down, dispose of the nicopod by throwing it in the trash or in the appropriate compartment in its can.
Source: Velo
Follow the tips below for an optimal nicopod experience:
- Don’t eat or drink with a nicotine pouch. Besides making nicotine absorption less efficient, consuming food or liquids with a nicopod in your mouth increases the likelihood of accidental ingestion
- Stay hydrated. After disposing of the used nicopod, always drink some water. Nicotine can cause dehydration even in tobacco-free products
- Store nicopods properly. Keep your nicotine pouches in their original packaging to extend their shelf life and preserve their potency
- Read the manufacturer’s instructions. Always check out the brand’s specific guidelines before using their pouches for the first time. They could have different recommended durations of use and dosages compared to other nicopods you’ve used
Do You Swallow Spit From Nicotine Pouches?
In terms of nicotine absorption, swallowing spit from nicotine pouches has a similar effect to ingesting the entire pouch—instead of entering your bloodstream through the gums, the nicotine from the spit you swallow will go through your digestive system.
If you don’t overuse nicopods, the amounts of nicotine in your spit will be small enough for your body to easily break down and eliminate. As a result, swallowing spit from nicotine pouches is generally considered safe.
Swallowing nicotine-infused spit continually can cause a few minor but annoying side effects:
- Upset stomach
- Heartburn
- Irritated throat
- Hiccups
- Unpleasant aftertaste
The severity and frequency of these issues will also depend on the nicotine content in your pouches and your tolerance to the chemical. If you notice any of the above symptoms, start spitting out excess saliva, opt for a less potent nicotine pouch, or consider taking a break from the nicopods.
Can You Swallow Dip Spit From Pouches?
Unlike nicopods that only contain nicotine powder, dip pouches are filled with tobacco. If you use them properly, they won’t rupture, and the tobacco will never leave the interior of the pouch. You use them the same way you would a nicotine pouch, and you can swallow any built-up saliva.
However, the saliva saturated with tobacco juices from the pouch might be too bitter compared to the more neutral flavor of a nicotine pouch. In that case, use a bottle, cup, or another container to get rid of excess spit.
Where To Buy Quality Nicotine Pouches
If you take nicotine pouches in moderation and still experience some of the above issues, low-quality nicopods might be the issue. Pouches made by unreliable manufacturers don’t undergo extensive quality control. As a result, they may contain cheaper ingredients that cause digestive distress and other problems.
To ensure you’re always buying premium nicotine pouches, only order from respectable online merchants. Merchants like SnusBoss only stock top-shelf nicopods originating from EU countries.
Source: SnusBoss
US-based manufacturers are hampered by local regulations, while many EU-based producers are free to experiment with new pouch formats and flavors, resulting in a more potent kick, a variety of aromas, and more moisture.
At SnusBoss, you can order nicopods from the following popular brands:
- ZYN
- Velo
- Chapo
- GOAT
- Jäger
- Oryx
- Pik
- Denssi
- Klint
- Kurwa
- Kozmo
- Glitch
- Siberia
- Roger
- Pablo
- Snatch
- Paz
- Thor
- Thunder
- White Fox
- Skruf
- Dope
- Hit
- Killa
- Kick
The experts who own and operate SnusBoss have tons of experience in the nicopod industry, and their selection of brands is based on a careful curation of the best products on the market. To order your next batch of high-quality nicotine pouches, follow these simple steps:
- Go to the online store
- Choose your brand, nicotine content, and flavor
- Provide your payment and shipping info at checkout
SnusBoss offers various rewards and promotions, as well as free shipping for larger orders. If you choose the express shipping option, you’ll receive your nicopods in 2–3 days.
What To Do if Your Toddler Ate a Nicotine Pouch?
Nicotine pouches can’t be legally sold to persons younger than 21 because nicotine can negatively impact a developing brain. For younger kids and toddlers, nicotine poisoning can be far more severe and even fatal, so always keep your nicopods out of reach of your children.
Source: Kelli McClintock
The younger your child is, the more complex the potential medical issues are. If a toddler or baby eats a nicotine pouch, it’s crucial to seek immediate medical assistance—even if the child appears to be fine. Nicotine may take effect after several hours, and the accompanying symptoms may not manifest themselves right away.
Featured image source: Towfiqu barbhuiya