Managing and being conscious of your nicotine intake is important regardless of the nicotine product. For this reason, we have created a guide for nicotine pouch users to refer to if extra information is needed, from identifying triggers that influence your nicotine intake to setting goals and the available alternative products. All the information needed on the matter is found below.
To Begin: Examine Nicotine Usage
The first thing one should do when managing their nicotine intake is to be conscious of how many nicotine pouches one uses. From this, a statistic, the number of nicopods used per day, week, or month, is realised.
- Count the number of nicotine pouch cans used per week or portions per day, and record this number.
The importance of doing so is to examine the extent of nicotine intake and whether it needs to be managed. If so, the figure provides a starting point that can be referred to in the future, showing progress if it is made.
Identify Triggers and Habits
The next step involves identifying specific cues that elicit nicotine pouch use. By knowing the different environments and events that prompt nicotine intake, a conscious effort can be made to manage them and your nicotine consumption.
A common trigger for users could be the pub, when out with friends, after a meal, or with an alcoholic beverage.
Many of these cues elicit nicotine use for many people across Europe, and once they are recognised, nicotine consumption is much easier to manage.
Set Achievable Goals
Once the identification of nicotine consumption and triggers is complete, goals then need to be set. The reason for setting a goal is to mark an endpoint or a desired destination.
An example: reduce the number of nicotine pouches used in a day from 10 to 5.
Goals will differ between users as they are specific to the individual's desires, whether that’s to maintain nicotine consumption, reduce the number of nicotine pouches consumed a week, not use nicotine when triggers are present, enjoy a milder product, or remove nicotine from your diet. So, set an endpoint and go from there.
Is Cutting Nicotine Intake Difficult?
Nicotine is an addictive substance, meaning that reducing your nicotine intake may be tricky, and cravings may be present.
When nicotine enters your body, it stimulates presynaptic nicotinic Acetylcholine receptors in the brain, increasing the amount of Acetylcholine (Ach) released, which stimulates other systems in the brain, including the dopaminergic system. This increase in activity results in changes in the brain, altering the tolerance and sensitisation to nicotine, Ach, and dopamine. Cravings occur when the nicotine intake is lowered because of the brain’s desensitisation to nicotine, which is due to the high amounts previously used.
Tips for Nicotine Pouch Users
Many nicotine pouch users use potent products, becoming dependent in some cases, and can benefit from managing their nicotine intake. Nicotine pouches are far easier to manage nicotine intake because of the range of nicotine pouches available. Below are a couple of useful tips for those wanting to reduce or manage their nicotine intake.
Try A Lower Strength
Many strengths are available, and unless a nicopod is used with less than 3 mg per pouch, there’s a milder one available. Many brands offer a range of strengths, so take it little by little. If you use an Extra Strong product with 10 mg of nicotine per pouch, take it down to 8 mg, and so on. Some of the more popular regular to mild strength products include:
- ZYN Cool Mint Mini - A minty pouch with 3mg of nicotine.
- VELO Spiffy Spearmint - A spearmint profile with 4mg of nicotine per sachet.
- On! Mint 6 - Has a balanced mint-tasting nicopod for those wanting regular strength.
Explore Nicotine-Free Pouches
Furthermore, using nicotine-free products as well as nicotine pouches is another method some use to reduce nicotine intake. Cravings may subside by using a familiar product without the nicotine. Some of the more popular nicotine-free brands include:
- WAKEY Energy Pouches - substitute nicotine with caffeine.
- VELO Zero - supply the same tasting experiences without the nicotine.
Advocating Normal Usage: Don’t Chase the Nicotine Rush
At SnusHut, we advocate for normal nicotine pouch usage, whereby customers buy regular-strength nicopods and use them when needed. Buying extra-strong nicotine pouches and using them to chase a nicotine rush is not advised, and this is where problems occur, and managing nicotine intake may have to become a conscious effort.
This is where this guide comes in handy, highlighting ways in which nicotine intake can be controlled, monitored, and lessened. More so for those who use high-strength products.
