Could nicotine — the highly addictive chemical compound in tobacco plants — find a new identity as a health shortcut? Wellness influencers and biohackers are touting the benefits of nicotine in a multitude of forms, including patches, pouches, gum, and drinks.
The podcaster Joe Rogan and the neuroscientist and influencer Andrew Huberman, PhD, say nicotine pouches can “stimulate” or “sharpen” the mind, joining Zynfluencers (named for the nicotine pouch brand Zyn) who claim the products can also boost energy and enhance exercise performance.
Other people on TikTok and Instagram are praising the appetite-curbing effects of nicotine delivery systems like pouches (aka “gas station Ozempic”) for weight loss.
The health risks of tobacco are well-established, including cancer, heart and lung disease, and type 2 diabetes. But what about nicotine products like pouches and patches? And do claims about their purported benefits carry weight?
Nicotine is a highly addictive stimulant that prompts the brain’s reward center to release the neurotransmitter dopamine, triggering feelings of pleasure and improving mood. The more nicotine you use, the more of it you need to achieve the same response, which can create dependency.
Once nicotine reaches the bloodstream, the body releases the hormone adrenaline, which can increase blood pressure, breathing, and heart rate.
Compared with smoking, nicotine patches and pouches deliver slower, more sustained amounts of nicotine, says Shane Kraus, PhD, an associate professor of psychology and the director of the Behavioral Addictions Lab at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas.
Nicotine patches deliver nicotine through the skin. They can take two to four hours to start working, and deliver slow and sustained nicotine for up to 24 hours.Nicotine pouches work much more quickly. With a nicotine pouch, placed between the lip and gums, the stimulant gets absorbed through the tissues in the mouth and can reach the brain within seconds.The half-life of the nicotine, or the time it takes for the amount in the body to be reduced by half, is about two hours, so it’s “relatively short-lived,” says Richard Bloomer, PhD, a professor and the director of the Center for Nutraceutical and Dietary Supplement Research at the University of Memphis in Tennessee.
“So people soon feel like they need another dose,” explains Jennifer Folkenroth, the senior director of nationwide tobacco programs at the American Lung Association.
Some nicotine products, including patches and gum, have been shown to nearly double the chances of someone quitting smoking.
Here’s what research says about some of the other claims being made by influencers.
Mood and Focus
Nicotine is a stimulant, and “with stimulants, you’re going to get some mild bump in mood or feel a little bit more energetic. So that’s true,” Dr. Kraus says.
Research does support the claim that nicotine has “cognitive-enhancing effects,” improving fine motor functions, attention, and memory.
Athletic Performance
Research is mixed on the impact of nicotine on athletic performance, Bloomer says.
A small research review published in 2017 concluded that most studies find nicotine doesn’t have a significant effect on athletic performance. An older study found that smokeless nicotine is often used in sports to improve concentration and agility, lower anxiety, and improve aerobic capacity (the body’s ability to utilize oxygen) — but it may decrease muscular strength, impair anaerobic performance (movement, such as weight lifting, that doesn't use oxygen in the body for energy), and have harmful short- and long-term cardiovascular effects.
Weight Loss
Nicotine’s stimulant properties can activate certain pathways in the brain that control appetite. But there is no significant scientific evidence from human studies that nicotine can promote weight loss.An animal study published in 2018 concluded that nicotine reduced body weight in male rats by increasing fat metabolism with no significant changes in eating, activity, or energy expenditure — but findings from animal studies don’t necessarily translate to humans.
Neurological Conditions
Studies have linked smoking to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.But some early-stage research suggests that nicotine may improve mild cognitive impairment by interacting with certain brain receptors that play an important role in regulating attention, memory, and learning. This finding is preliminary.
For people who aren’t trying to quit smoking, the health risks of nicotine patches, pouches, and other products far outweigh any theoretical benefits.
Addiction
Nicotine is highly addictive, Kraus says: “It's why tens of millions of people still smoke despite the clear health warnings.”
“Furthermore, [smokeless nicotine] increases susceptibility to lifelong addiction, intensifies mood disorders, and acts as a gateway to other substance use,” Folkenroth adds.
Mouth and Gum Disease, High Blood Pressure, Reflux
Folkenroth says nicotine pouches, specifically, have been linked to many health risks. These include:
Risks to Young Children of Accidental Exposure
Given the popularity of nicotine pouches, the risks to young children of accidental exposure have become a real concern. A study published in 2025 found that the number of children younger than 6 who accidentally ingested these products increased 760 percent between 2020 and 2023.
The ingestion of nicotine in any form is dangerous for children, but those who accidentally ingest a nicotine pouch are roughly twice as likely to experience serious medical issues (such as vomiting, fast heartbeat, seizures, and respiratory failure) or hospitalization as they are with other types of nicotine products.
Former smokers (or users of other types of tobacco) should not use smokeless nicotine products, Kraus says, because they may lead to a relapse.
The American Lung Association warns that nicotine pouches are not safe for individuals who have formerly smoked, as they are not FDA-approved for quitting and contain high, addictive levels of nicotine, Folkenroth says.
Bloomer says nicotine products can also pose special risks for other individuals, including:
Anyone under 25
Anyone who’s pregnant or breastfeeding
Those with heart problems
People with high blood pressure
Anyone taking medications, like antidepressants, ADHD drugs, beta-blockers, or hormonal birth control
Unless you’re using them to help you quit smoking, the answer is no. Any possible upside is greatly outweighed by the risks of addiction and other health consequences, Kraus says.
Influencers hyping nicotine products is a “very dangerous trend,” he says.
Social media users are touting nicotine products like pouches and patches, claiming they can sharpen focus, boost athletic performance, and curb appetite to promote weight loss.
Nicotine may help with these health goals, but it’s also highly addictive and can have harmful health effects.
Experts advise avoiding these products, especially if you’ve successfully quit smoking or have medical issues such as heart problems or high blood pressure.
