Nicotine products that contain tobacco, like cigarettes, vapes, and snus, have been linked to nausea and multiple gastrointestinal issues. While ZYN pouches don’t contain tobacco, they contain pharmaceutical-grade nicotine, so the question still stands—can ZYNs cause nausea? 

This article will explore whether ZYN nausea is a possibility and how to prevent it by answering the following questions

  • Does ZYN cause nausea?
  • What are the other effects of ZYN?
  • How to not get nic sick from ZYN?

Does ZYN Cause Nausea?

ZYN pouches, if used properly, shouldn’t cause nausea. If you get nauseous from using a ZYN nicopod, it might be caused by one of the following:

  1. The pouch is too strong for you
  2. You have an underlying stomach issue
  3. The pouch may have been damaged

Pouch Is Too Strong for You

Not everyone has the same nicotine tolerance. If you’re new to using nicotine products or pouches, your tolerance is going to be lower. So, you need to build it up slowly. 

ZYN is a great starting point because it’s mild and won’t overwhelm you. Gradually moving from weaker to stronger pouches can help prevent side effects. 

If the pouch you’ve chosen is too strong, the nicotine content may overstimulate your body and make you feel sick.

Underlying Stomach Issues

If used responsibly, ZYN pouches shouldn’t cause stomach issues but may worsen existing ones. Even though nicotine pouches like ZYN are less taxing on your system compared to smoking or vaping, swallowing ZYN spit may still cause stomach discomfort by irritating the stomach lining.

Pouch May Have Been Damaged

ZYN pouches are designed to release nicotine steadily for up to 30 minutes. If the pouch is damaged, most of the nicotine will be released at once, shocking your system and causing side effects.

If you notice that your pouch is damaged, don’t use it. In case you put in a pouch and start feeling unwell, remove the pouch and drink water to rehydrate and wash out nicotine from your mouth.

Why Do ZYNs Make You Nauseus?

If a ZYN has made you nauseous, it’s likely because you’ve ingested too much nicotine too fast. Nicotine stimulates the production of pepsin (an enzyme used in digestion) as well as stomach acid. In high amounts, they can irritate the stomach and cause nausea.

If a ZYN pouch is making you nauseous, remove it and drink water to help soothe your stomach. Once you feel better, try using a lower-strength pouch.

Will ZYN Make You Throw Up?

Under normal circumstances, ZYNs shouldn’t make you throw up. Both nausea and throwing up are side effects of getting “nic sick,” which is a mild form of nicotine overdose. 

If you start noticing the warning signs, remove the pouch from your mouth and drink water. Spitting out the saliva for a short while may also help for two reasons:

  • When you feel nauseous, saliva helps make you throw up
  • You’re spitting out any pouch residue instead of further irritating your throat and stomach

Why Does ZYN Make My Stomach Hurt?

Aside from nicotine, ZYN pouches contain food-grade ingredients, which may cause indigestion in some users. However, most of the ingredients in ZYN are plant-based. In most cases, ZYN shouldn’t cause stomach problems unless you’re dealing with an underlying issue.

The flavoring in some ZYN pouches can sometimes negatively impact your stomach. If this happens, try using different-flavored pouches or switching to flavorless pouches to avoid further complications.

Source: Anastasia Shuraeva

Can ZYN Cause Acid Reflux?

Acid reflux is a condition caused by the lower esophageal sphincter (LES)—a muscle between the stomach and esophagus—not contracting properly. When this happens, stomach acid goes up to the esophagus, and you may feel:

  1. A sour taste in your throat
  2. A burning in your chest (also known as heartburn)
  3. Stomach contents going back up to your throat

Currently, there is no conclusive research linking nicotine pouches to acid reflux. However, due to its effect as a muscle relaxant, nicotine can make it harder for the LES to contract. 

Despite the lack of conclusive evidence, it’s worth noting that some ingredients found in ZYN pouches, like sweeteners, might cause acid reflux or heartburn. Whether this will happen depends on several factors, including:

  • Hydration
  • Diet
  • General gut health

As long as you stay hydrated and eat healthy, you lower the risk of acid reflux.

Can ZYN Cause Stomach Ulcers?

A stomach ulcer is a sore in the lining of the stomach, which is then further irritated by stomach acid and enzymes found in the gut. Although there are studies linking smoking to stomach ulcers, there is currently no study connecting them to nicotine pouches.

Nicotine does seem to stimulate the production of stomach acid, but this shouldn’t cause ulcers, only potentially aggravate existing ones. 

If you’re currently suffering from or have a history of having stomach ulcers, speak to your doctor before using ZYN pouches. That way, you can predict and mitigate any problems should they arise. 

What Are the Other Effects of ZYN?

ZYN pouches might be a safer, cleaner, smokeless option for nicotine users, but they still come with side effects. In most cases, the side effects of using ZYN pouches should be mild, brief, and tolerable.

Side effects and their severity vary from person to person, but the most commonly reported ones are:

  1. Tingling gums
  2. Sore throat
  3. Irritated gums

Why Does ZYN Make My Gums Tingle?

A mild tingling sensation in the gums means that the pouch is releasing nicotine. This sensation, dubbed the “zyngle” is a completely normal part of ZYN use and shouldn’t last long.

A good starting point to understanding how long the zyngle should last is knowing the timeline for using a ZYN pouch. From the moment you put in your ZYN, it looks like this:

TimeWhat’s Happening?
0–5 minutesThe pouch gets wet and starts releasing nicotine, and tingling slowly starts
5–10 minutesNicotine is in your bloodstream, and your cravings start to subside. You might still feel a slight tingling
10–20 minutesMost of the nicotine is in your system, and your cravings should be gone, as so should the tingle
20–30 minutesNicotine is at its peak. After 30 minutes, you’re barely getting anything but the flavor from the pouch

Most of the tingling should subside within five minutes as your gums adjust. If you enjoy the sensation, you can move the pouch around to prolong it. Some users may feel the tingle for as long as the pouch stays in, even without moving it.

If the tingle turns into a burning sensation, you may have an underlying oral health issue that the ZYN pouch has aggravated. To prevent complications, consult a healthcare professional before continuing use.

Source: cottonbro studio

Does ZYN Give You a Sore Throat?

Mild soreness and scratchiness in your throat are some of the most common side effects of using ZYN pouches. If you’re allergic to an ingredient in the pouch or the nicotine content is too strong, you might feel more sore than usual.

Prolonged soreness from using the pouches may indicate a bigger underlying issue. At this point, you should likely speak to a doctor.

Can ZYN Cause Gum Irritation?

Because there’s no smoke and tobacco involved in using ZYN pouches, they’re less harmful than cigarettes and vapes in the long run. In the short-term, ZYN pouches may cause gum irritation and make existing gum problems worse, and the main reasons for that are:

  • Physical irritation: Although small, ZYN pouches are still physical objects that rub against your gums, potentially causing irritation
  • Vasoconstriction: Nicotine is a vasoconstrictor, meaning it narrows the blood vessels and lowers blood supply to the gums
  • Acidity: ZYN pouches have stabilizers to help mitigate the acidity of nicotine, but it may still affect your gums
  • Diuretic effect: Nicotine has diuretic properties, making it much easier for your mouth to dry out

If you’re suffering from gum disease or inflammation, you should refrain from using ZYN pouches until the issue is resolved.

How To Not Get Nic Sick From ZYN?

As long as you take precautions, getting “nic sick” doesn’t need to loom over your head each time you put in a ZYN pouch. As long as you follow a few simple steps, you should be able to minimize, if not fully prevent, the odds of “nic sick” and other ZYN side effects. 

The things you should keep in mind in order to make your ZYN experience positive and pleasurable are:

  1. Use ZYNs responsibly
  2. Practice good oral care
  3. Mind the food you eat

Use ZYNs Responsibly

Most issues caused by ZYNs stem from them not being used properly. If you follow a few simple steps, you should minimize the possibility of ZYN side effects:

  1. Don’t use more than one ZYN at once: ZYNs come in multiple strengths. Even the mildest ZYN packs a stronger nicotine buzz than a cigarette, so using more than one at once may be overwhelming
  2. Don’t smoke while using ZYNs: The nicotine in ZYNs can irritate your mouth and gut. If you smoke with a ZYN pouch in, you’re drying out the pouch and adding additional stress to your body
  3. Don’t reuse ZYNs: Once wet, the ZYNs start releasing nicotine, and the process can’t be stopped. A wet pouch is also a perfect breeding ground for bacteria, and reusing the ZYN can introduce those bacteria to your mouth and gut

Practice Good Oral Care

ZYNs agitate the mucosa in your mouth much less than nicotine products like cigarettes because there’s no smoke. While the odds of developing gingivitis and periodontal disease are much lower, failing to take care of your mouth can still lead to these issues, which may negatively affect the rest of your gastrointestinal tract.

A few of the things to keep in mind are:

  • Brush your teeth twice a day: Brushing your teeth in the morning and the evening can prevent bacteria from building up, keeping your teeth and gums healthy
  • Drink water: Staying hydrated helps prevent dry mouth and other complications that can lead to mouth and gut problems
  • Change where you put your pouch: ZYN shouldn’t irritate the gums, but if you put them in the same place every time, the rubbing might start to be unpleasant

Source: Roman Odintsov

Mind the Food You Eat

Certain foods agitate the gut, and the nicotine in ZYNs can make it worse. This doesn’t mean you should go on a diet because of ZYNs, but keep an eye out for what you eat when using them. Two of the worst offenders are:

  • Sweet food:  Fructose, the sugar in most sweet foods, can cause problems beyond your gut. Excess sugar can make your stomach lining more sensitive and prone to inflammation
  • Fried food:  Rich in fats and low in fiber, fried foods are slow to digest, which can lead to bloating and stomach pain. Nicotine increases stomach acid production, worsening this issue

Surprisingly, spicy food might actually help prevent nausea when using ZYNs. Capsaicin, the chemical that gives spicy foods their flavor, can actually have positive effects on your stomach if ingested in lower amounts. 

Capsaicin can inhibit stomach acid production, which can help counteract the stimulative effects of nicotine on it. 

Still,  this doesn’t mean spicy food is risk-free. It’s not advised for people with acid reflux or heartburn as it may worsen the pain. For those with a sensitive stomach, spicy food can cause diarrhea, cramping, and discomfort.

Source: SnusBoss

Do High-Quality Pouches Like ZYN Reduce the Risk of Nausea?

EU-based nicotine pouches like ZYN have an edge over their U.S. counterparts in this area. The FDA placed limitations on nicotine pouch development in 2016, while European brands haven’t faced these restrictions. This extra time has allowed EU companies to improve and perfect the kick, buzz, and flavor of their pouches, all while minimizing the risk of side effects.

Rigorously tested, EU-made nicotine pouches like ZYN are far less likely to cause side effects such as nausea or gum irritation. When you buy quality pouches from trusted sellers, you know exactly what you’re getting.

A Seller You Can Trust—SnusBoss

SnusBoss is a supplier of fresh, high-quality nicotine pouches. The experts at SnusBoss offer fresh, first-rate pouches with a strong flavor and nicotine kick every time you use them.

To order from Snusboss, follow three simple steps:

  1. Go to the online store
  2. Choose your favorite ZYN flavor and strength
  3. Put in your shipping and payment information

The express shipping option will deliver your pouches within 2–3 business days. SnusBoss also offers advantages like:

  • Free shipping on all orders above $249
  • Competitive prices and bulk discounts
  • Regular discounts and promotions 

Looking To Experiment? See What Else You Can Get at SnusBoss

ZYN offers many flavors and strengths, but sometimes you want to try something new. SnusBoss can help you with that, too, because they also sell pouches from the following brands:

PabloGlitchPazRogerDope
HitSiberiaThorChapoJäger
SnatchGOATKickKurwaKilla
White FoxKlintOryx Kozmo

Keep in mind that you have to be at least 21 years old to legally purchase and use nicotine pouches.

  • Product bundle

    $57.47
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    10 - 19 $0.00
    20 - 29 $0.00
    30 + $0.00

Featured image source: Andrea Piacquadio