Nicotine is very addictive and changes the chemistry in the brain
And an article in Bloomberg in January noted that Zyn has inspired a fervent devotion among some workers in demanding industries like finance and tech, circles in which the stimulant is sometimes used as a performance-enhancing drug
Another study, published in the journal JAMA in 2024, found that sales of nicotine pouches in the U.S
When the body becomes dependent on nicotine, being without the drug for too long can cause regular users to experience irritability, craving, depression, anxiety, cognitive and attention deficits, the report says
Most recently, the total monthly nicotine pouch sales increased by 207% between January 2023 and April 2025, from $145.5 million to $446.8 million
While the number of children who use nicotine pouches is still low, Chaffee notes that young people are especially vulnerable to nicotine addiction