Can You Swallow ZYN Spit? A Guide to Safe ZYN Consumption (2024)

Nicotine pouches, also known as nicopods, might be a less harmful and messy way to enjoy nicotine than other oral tobacco products.

ZYN is one of the most popular nicopod brands worldwide, offering consistently high quality, accessibility, and versatile flavors—all at an affordable price ($3.90 per can on SnusBoss).

Still, ZYN and nicotine pouches aren’t without risks in general and shouldn’t be taken irresponsibly. Nicotine is highly addictive and can be risky to your health if not consumed properly.

Since nicotine pouches like ZYN are a relatively new product, this article will address the following concerns regarding consumption that may arise:

• Can you swallow ZYN spit?
• Can you drink or eat with a ZYN in your mouth?
• What happens when you accidentally swallow a ZYN?

Is It Safe To Swallow ZYN Spit?

In general, it’s safe to swallow ZYN spit in small amounts.

Nicotine pouches, including ZYN, aren’t like other oral tobacco products. They don’t contain actual tobacco leaves, so they don’t require you to spit out the saliva when consuming them. On the contrary, they’re designed to minimize saliva production.

ZYN pouches are made from pharmaceutical-grade nicotine salt and food-grade ingredients, particularly:

• Plant-based stabilizers like cellulose
• Fillers such as maltitol and gum arabic, often found in chewing gum
• pH adjusters such as sodium bicarbonate, often used when baking
• Sweeteners such as acesulfame K, often used in soft beverages and candy

Neither nicotine nor these ingredients should be harmful to you if ingested occasionally.

How To Consume ZYN Safely

ZYN nicotine pouches are small, plant-based pillows packed with nicotine salt and flavoring. Once you place them in your mouth, they release nicotine slowly, giving you a longer-lasting buzz than cigarettes or vapes.

Nicotine pouches like ZYN are smoke- and tobacco-free, and using them requires minimal effort and preparation. They might be the least damaging way to consume nicotine as opposed to traditional products such as cigarettes, vapes, and chewing tobacco. Research suggests that most of the harm associated with nicotine comes from smoking, and nicopods may offer smokers a safer way to get their nicotine kick.

The steps below demonstrate how to properly use ZYN nicotine pouches:

1. Open the can, break the perforated part of the label, twist the lid so the top and bottom arrows align, and then lift the lid
2. Take one ZYN pouch with clean hands to prevent bacteria from entering your mouth
3. Tuck the pouch in between your upper lip and gums, placing the flat side against your gums. The pouch should fit comfortably and be barely noticeable even when you’re talking, but the feeling may take some getting used to
4. Keep the ZYN in your mouth for up to an hour without chewing it. If you’re new to nicotine pouches, it’s recommended to keep it in for less than 15 minutes at a time
5. Remove the pouch with clean hands
6. Dispose of the pouch in the can’s catch lid or another container. Most pouches today aren’t biodegradable, and once they’re used, they’re considered hazardous waste, so you should dispose of them accordingly

Note that you may feel a slight tingle when you place the ZYN in your mouth, which can last for around 15 minutes. The feeling is normal and signals that the pouch is starting to work.

Source: SnusBoss

What Happens When You Swallow ZYN Spit?

When you place a ZYN between your lip and gums, the nicotine is released and absorbed by the mucosal lining inside your mouth, entering your bloodstream. If you swallow ZYN spit, the nicotine will first travel down to your digestive system and then get absorbed into your bloodstream. After that, your body breaks down the substance and eliminates it.

The nicotine absorbed by the mucosa takes effect more quickly than the nicotine absorbed by the stomach, but the effects will add up and increase the absorbed nicotine level slightly.

While swallowing ZYN spit is generally considered safe, some users may find that it:

• Irritates the throat
• Upsets the stomach
• Causes hiccups
• Has an unpleasant taste or mouthfeel

These effects usually happen at the beginning and should go away after a while. Eating before taking ZYN may also reduce the chances of stomach upset.

Whether or not you should swallow ZYN spit comes down to personal preference and tolerance. Some users enjoy the extra buzz they get from ingesting the saliva, while others prefer to spit it out. If you have a sensitive stomach or throat and are sensitive to nicotine, it may be better to reduce saliva swallowing when using ZYN and spit out any excess spit that may build up.

Can You Drink With a ZYN in Your Mouth?

The answer again depends on your preferences. Some users find that drinking doesn’t affect their nicopod experience and even enjoy pairing pouches with different beverages. For example, users who are used to smoking while having beer or coffee may continue this habit with nicotine pouches. In some cases, water and other beverages may even help with the initial tingling that can occur when you first start taking ZYNs.

Other users say that drinking:

• Washes away the flavor
• Moistens the pouch too much
• Causes hiccups

Hot and acidic drinks also tend to speed up nicotine release, which can be overwhelming if you’re an inexperienced consumer.

The biggest issue with drinking and consuming nicopods simultaneously is the risk of swallowing the pouch. If you’re going to drink with a ZYN in your mouth, you should do so carefully.

Source: Ron Lach

How To Drink While Using ZYN

Here’s what you can do to ensure drinking doesn’t affect your nicopod experience:

1. Tuck the ZYN in between your upper lip and gums
2. Take a small sip of the drink
3. Keep the liquid in the bottom of your mouth
4. Swallow the beverage instantly and avoid swishing it around your mouth

Can You Eat With a ZYN in Your Mouth?

Consuming ZYN with food is not harmful per se, but as with drinking, there’s a risk of swallowing the pouch. You may also end up accidentally chewing on it and damaging it. One careful bite will likely be fine, but in general, it’s best to take out the nicopod before eating.

Why Is It Bad if a ZYN Pouch Breaks Open?

If you chew or bite a pouch and it gets broken while inside your mouth, its contents will spill out. Nicotine pouches are designed to release nicotine slowly, so an instant release can be overwhelming, causing an unpleasant aftertaste or slight nausea. For that reason, you also shouldn’t use pouches that have been damaged.

The table below explains what to do in case a nicotine pouch malfunctions:

Brands typically caution users against using nicotine pouches that have been tampered with or damaged in any way. The same goes if the pouches:

• Were left out in the open
• Were exposed to extremely high temperatures or humidity
• Are past their Best By date indicated on the label

How To Store ZYN Nicotine Pouches

To ensure your ZYN nicotine pouches stay fresh for as long as possible, you should keep the can closed. There’s no need for refrigeration—you can store the can at normal room temperature and humidity. Some users may prefer to store the pouches in the fridge because of the cooling effect.

If kept correctly, ZYN pouches can have a shelf-life of up to one year. This is excellent news in case you like to order them in bulk—you will likely go through all of the cans before their expiry date.

What Happens if You Take an Expired ZYN Nicotine Pouch?

ZYN nicotine pouches used after their Best Before date are not more dangerous than fresh ones. Their nicotine strength, texture, and flavor will be affected, though. You may find that expired pouches don’t kick in as strongly, produce an odd mouthfeel, and lack flavor, so you should dispose of them.

Can You Swallow ZYN Pouches?

Some users may find it tempting to swallow a nicotine pouch if they’re unable to dispose of it properly or enjoy its taste. Others may feel like swallowing the pouch gives them an extra kick of nicotine.

ZYN, as well as any other brand of nicotine pouches is designed to be used orally and not ingested. Even though they’re made from food-grade ingredients and aren’t as harmful as tobacco-based products, nicotine pouches shouldn’t be swallowed regularly.

What Happens if You Swallow a ZYN Pouch?

As nicopods are a relatively new product, there’s a lack of research and scientific data on them, particularly about what happens when you swallow them, warranting even more caution. Users typically report the following side effects:

• Upset stomach, nausea, and diarrhea
• Sore throat
• Heartburn

Contrary to popular belief, ingesting nicotine won’t give you a more intense kick because of the method’s low bioavailability, i.e., the rate at which the compound is absorbed into the bloodstream. That’s why swallowing nicopods probably won’t lead to nicotine poisoning, but the possibility shouldn’t be ruled out.

In case you ingest a ZYN pouch and don’t have a particularly sensitive stomach, there’s probably no reason to worry. You might experience mild consequences that will go away quickly. However, don’t make a habit of gulping down nicopods because frequent ingestion may cause serious adverse reactions.

If you can’t dispose of the pouch, keep it in your mouth or place the used pouch in a bag or container until you can.

To keep the flavor going, take another pouch after removing the current one.

For a stronger nicotine kick, buy more potent nicotine pouches the next time. ZYN pouches range from 3 mg/g to 9 mg/g, but other brands available on SnusBoss, such as Dope, Kurwa, and Pablo, offer as much as 50 mg/g.

What To Do if You’ve Accidentally Swallowed a ZYN Pouch

As mentioned before, in case you end up ingesting a ZYN nicopod, you’ll likely be fine.

Still, contact a healthcare professional or the poison control center if you:

• Have problems with digestion or any health conditions that may cause you to react more adversely
• Are feeling unwell

What To Do in the Case of a ZYN Pouch Stuck in Throat

Source: Vlada Karpovich

In case you accidentally swallow a ZYN nicopod and it gets stuck in your throat or esophagus, call emergency services immediately if you have difficulty breathing. If another person is present, they should perform the Heimlich maneuver on you if possible. You can also perform it on yourself if alone.

If you can breathe, try one or more of these methods:

Can You Take ZYN While Sick?

Although not as hazardous as smoking, nicotine pouches like ZYN can cause you to feel worse when you’re down with the flu, cold, or any other illness, so it’s best to avoid them.

Nicotine can weaken your body’s immune system, thereby reducing its ability to fight off infections and prolonging the recovery. It also increases your heart rate and blood pressure, putting more stress on your body. Nicotine pouches should be specifically avoided if the illness is affecting your throat, mouth, and gums or if you have underlying cardiovascular issues.

Source: Andrea Piacquadio

Are ZYNs Gluten-Free?

The answer is yes but comes with a caveat. ZYN nicotine pouches contain a small amount of gluten, but this gluten level is lower than the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) limit for products labeled “gluten-free”, which is 20 parts per million (ppm) per pouch.

Even though ZYN pouches are considered gluten-free, you should consult a healthcare professional before taking them if you suffer from gluten intolerance or Celiac disease.

Source: SnusBoss

Get Your High-Quality ZYN Nicopods from SnusBoss

SnusBoss is the top place to stock up on your favorite nicotine pouches—whether it’s the good-old ZYN, industry best-sellers such as Velo, Pablo, and Killa, or lesser-known brands such as:

• White Fox
• Klint
• Snatch
• Dope
• Hit
• Thunder
• Skruf
• Kurwa
• Kozmo

If you’re set on ZYN, you’ll appreciate the fact that SnusBoss offers the most popular of its flavors, including:

1. Citrus Mini (6 mg/g)
2. Cool Mint Extra Strong (9 mg/g)
3. Espressino Extra Strong (6 mg/g)

In case you want to try something new, you have a wide selection of expert-picked brands and flavors at your disposal. Besides product variety, SnusBoss stands out in terms of quality. Its nicotine pouches are produced and regulated in the EU, which has seen major developments in the industry while the U.S. has been left behind since the FDA classified the pouches as tobacco products in 2016. EU’s products are stronger, more moist, and flavorful, offering you a powerful nicotine buzz that lasts longer.

Ready to experience nicotine like never before? Place your order with SnusBoss and have your top-quality nicotine pouches delivered to you within two to three days with express shipping.

Safety Precautions for Nicotine Pouches

You mustn’t use ZYN or any other nicopod brand if you’re under 21, pregnant, breastfeeding, or have underlying health conditions such as diabetes and hypertension.

Regardless of whether you swallow the spit or not, using nicotine pouches too frequently may cause physical consequences, including nicotine poisoning. The average user takes around a day or two to go through one can, which may contain from 20 to 22 pouches. Nicotine is also highly addictive, so caution is advised.

Featured image source: SnusBoss