Nicotine pouches are being utilized as an alternative to weight loss medications such as Wegovy and Ozempic.
Nicotine is recognized as an appetite suppressant but it carries numerous health risks.
Dangers of oral nicotine products include stomach discomfort, dental decay, and specific types of cancer.
Experts suggest that you can naturally reduce your appetite through lifestyle adjustments.
Instagram and TikTok users are advocating for the use of Zyn brand nicotine pouches as a method to suppress appetite in a trend that has been dubbed “O-Zyn-pic” — a cost-effective alternative to GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy.
Content creators are asserting that the $5 servings of flavored nicotine have aided them in shedding up to 30 pounds.
Nevertheless, while nicotine might assist in diminishing appetite, health professionals are voicing their worries about this troubling trend and the health risks linked to nicotine.
Health dangers of Zyn nicotine pouches
Zyn pouches are positioned between your lip and gums, and the nicotine is absorbed into the bloodstream.
“Nicotine is a highly addictive substance, which can result in psychological and physiological dependence, as well as withdrawal symptoms upon stopping use,” notes Amy Reichelt, PhD, Chief Innovation Officer at PurMinds Neuropharma.
With GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic being very costly and prescription medications that are only appropriate for a specific group of individuals, Reichelt isn’t astonished that people are turning to nicotine products that are easily accessible to the general public to assist with weight loss.
As an appetite suppressant, it can be quite effective.
“Nicotine can influence appetite in various ways, including modifying activity in reward processing brain circuits through stimulating the release of neurotransmitters, and also through affecting the activity of the appetite-regulating hormones leptin and ghrelin,” Reichelt elaborates.
Nonetheless, she believes the health risks aren’t worth it.
In the short term, she says nicotine pouches can lead to a variety of side effects, particularly at higher doses, such as:
nausea
headache
dizziness
throat irritation
gastrointestinal discomfort
In the long term, the risks can be more severe.
“Nicotine can have immediate cardiovascular effects, including raising heart rate and blood pressure, which may pose risks for individuals with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions,” she explains.
Nicotine use is also linked to an increased risk of stroke and different types of cancer.
A study of 44 nicotine pouch products and two nicotine-free pouches published in 2022 discovered that 26 of the samples contained cancer-causing chemicals known as tobacco-specific nitrosamines.
Nicotine pouches may damage your dental health as well
“Oral nicotine products primarily consist of nicotine, flavorings, a pH buffer, filling agents, as well as a small amount of harmful tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs), metal, and formaldehyde,” Reichelt hypothesizes. “Since nicotine pouches are placed in the mouth against the gum, there is research exploring whether these pouches contribute to periodontal disease and harm to the gums that can result in tooth loss or decay.”
A 2023 study discovered that when applied to the same area of the mouth consistently, Nicotine can contribute to periodontitis, the primary cause of tooth loss.
