Nicotine Gum vs Nicotine Pouches | Perfect Breakdown for Users

Nicotine gums and pouches are two of the most popular NRT options in the US. Each option comes with risks and benefits that most of us ignore. We put nicotine gum vs nicotine pouches to find the safest option for everyday users. 

We got through the standard procedure to check each product compared to the other. Here's the simplest version of what we found:

• Nicotine pouches & gums are tobacco-free
• Both are used as Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)
• Nicotine gum is FDA-approved, while pouches aren't
• Nicotine gum is safer compared to pouches
• Nicotine pouches are more versatile compared to gums
• Nicotine pouches have more flavors and strengths

Quick Comparison: Nicotine Gum vs Nicotine Pouches 

Overview Nicotine Gum and Nicotine Pouches

Both nicotine gum and nicotine pouches are tobacco-free alternatives to cigarettes, vapes, hookahs, and snus. However, both have fundamental differences in purpose, usage, and history. Let's look at the best definition of each nicotine product:

What is Nicotine Gum?

Nicotine gum is an FDA-approved alternative to cigarettes and tobacco products. The best definition of nicotine gum is a chewing gum filled with nicotine. Whenever you feel the urge to smoke, chew the gum to fulfill your cravings.

The saliva in your mouth mixes with nicotine and enters your bloodstream through the mucous membranes. It then interacts with your nACHRs, which release endorphins and elevate your mood.

AB Leo made the first nicotine polacrilex gum in 1970s. The purpose of this gum was to help smokers quit tobacco without facing the withdrawal symptoms. It is now available as an OTC nicotine replacement therapy product worldwide. 

What are Nicotine Pouches?

Nicotine pouches are modern tobacco-free alternatives to cigarettes and smokeless tobacco. People use nicotine pouches to quit smoking or vaping without experiencing any withdrawal symptoms.

Nicotine pouches are not approved by the FDA and most people use them as a recreative alternative. These pouches can help you bypass the effects of cigarettes and tobacco, but can't help you quit nicotine.

Nicotine pouches are just as addictive as cigarettes, vapes, and other forms of nicotine. These pouches come in a variety of strengths and flavors, which makes them attractive options for different nicotine users. Recently, the pouches have faced scrutiny in the US because of their rampant use among the youth. 

Effects Comparison: Nicotine Gum vs Nicotine Pouches

Nicotine pouches and gums have the same effect on your body. Both contain nicotine in copious amounts which excites your brain and leads to an endorphin release. The most common benefits of nicotine pouches and gum include boosted cognition, better memory, and more energy. These effects combine to create an effect known as a nicotine buzz.

The nicotine buzz of a pouch is stronger compared to gum because the latter has a lower nicotine concentration. The side effects of nicotine pouches are much more in number compared to nicotine gum. Pouches are more addictive, cause gum issues, and cause heart problems.

Here's a table to put the effects into perspective:

Is Nicotine Gum Safer than Nicotine Pouches?

Yes, nicotine gum is safer than nicotine pouches, because the latter has more side effects. Nicotine gum doesn't affect your body in a significant way because of the reduced nicotine concentration. That's why nicotine gum is an FDA-approved alternative to cigarettes and smokeless tobacco. 

Usage Comparison: Nicotine Pouches vs Nicotine Gum

You extract the nicotine from the gum by chewing it continuously. Like regular gum, the more you chew, the more nicotine seeps through your mucous membranes into your bloodstream. 

To make nicotine pouches work, you place them between your upper lip and gums. The nicotine seeps through your membranes into your bloodstream. The nicotine intake changes according to the strength of the pouches.

Overall, both oral nicotine pouches and gum have the same activation pathways. The only difference is their form. While one comes in pouches and automatically activates, the other requires chewing. 

How Do You Use Nicotine Pouches?

Here's how you use nicotine pouches:

1. Take a pouch of the can.
2. Check for tears and leaks.
3. Place the pouch between your upper lip and gums.
4. Wait for the tingling nicotine buzz to occur. 
5. Enjoy the flavor and nicotine release for 30 to 40 minutes.
6. Take out the pouch.
7. Throw the used pouch into a trash can or the catch lid.

Note: Remember, using nicotine pouches properly requires choosing and adequate strength. Using strong nicotine pouches may cause a nicotine overdose and other problems. 

How Do You Use Nicotine Gum?

Using nicotine gum requires a bit more patience and care:

1. Take a nicotine gum out of the box.
2. Pop it into your mouth and start working those jaws slowly.
3. When the gum starts to tingle, place it between your cheek and gums.
4. When the tingle goes away start chewing again.
5. Whenever the tingle returns place it under between the cheeks and gums.
6. The gum will stop tingling completely after 30 minutes.
7. You can keep chewing or throw away the used gum. 

Note: Do not use nicotine gum consecutively. Repeated and frequent use can cause nausea, heartburn, dizziness, and some other symptoms associated with a nicotine overdose. 

Versatility Comparison: Nicotine Gum vs Nicotine Pouches

Nicotine pouches are much more versatile compared to nicotine gum. Nicotine gum requires chewing which makes it much more noticeable compared to pouches. You can't keep using it on a plane, or in the office when you're talking to your colleagues. 

Nicotine pouches are much more versatile because you only have to put them under your lip. The nicotine and flavor release automatically for 30 to 40 minutes. Some nicotine pouches come in slim and mini formats, which are much easier to use.

These formats are barely noticeable under your lip. You can use them anywhere like a plane, train, car, office, backyard party, or public park. 

Flavor Comparison: Nicotine Pouches vs Nicotine Gums

Nicotine pouches offer more flavors because of brand variety and ingredients. You can find flavors like Cherry, Cola, Pineapple, Mint, Menthol, and Apple. Each brand like ZYN offers a unique spin on your favorite flavor.

Alternatively, most flavored nicotine pouches aren't approved by the FDA. In fact, there has been growing discourse about the popularity of flavored nicotine pouches. It is one of the reasons why there have been talks of a ZYN ban in the US.

Nicotine gums are available only in FDA-approved flavors like mint, fruit, spearmint, and cinnamon, amongst others. The list of FDA-approved nicorette flavors includes 9 flavor variants in 2 and 4 mg strengths.

Major Differences Between Nicotine Pouches and Nicotine Gum

Nicotine pouches and gums have some significant differences. We'll look at all the differences between the ingredients, strengths, and daily intake. 

Ingredient Safety

Nicotine pouches contain nicotine salt, acesulfame, pH stabilizers, and other flavorings. The pouches are made with plant-based fibers, which are eco-friendly and don't cause gum irritation.

Nicotine gum contains nicotine, gum base, acesulfame, sodium bicarbonate, and other flavor additives. The ingredients of nicotine gum are much more controlled and safer because they have been standardized by the FDA. 

Nicotine Concentration

Nicotine pouches start with a base nicotine concentration of 2 mg and can go all the way to 63 mg per pouch. Nicotine gum comes in 2 and 4 mg formats. The nicotine absorption rate from gum is slightly higher compared to pouches, which makes it more effective compared to ZYN 3 and 6 mg pouches.

However, the sheer variety of strengths in nicotine pouches makes it much better to quit smoking. Alternatively, the high nicotine concentration in pouches makes it much more addictive and problematic.

Here's a small guide to help you choose a nicotine concentration for average smokers:

Duration and Daily Intake

According to Nicorette, you should chew nicotine every 1 hour during the first week to quit smoking. Each gum can deliver nicotine for 30 minutes through chewing. An average smoker will use up 9 to 12 nicotine gums per day.

Nicotine pouches last for 30 to 40 minutes and offer various strengths. Ideally, you should only use up to 8 or 9 nicotine pouches per day according to your tolerance levels. By choosing the right strength, you can easily quit smoking with nicotine pouches. 

Here are the maximum and minimum daily intake guides:

Note: The daily intake stats for nicotine gum were taken from the FDA directives for Nicorette. Please do not use more than the required doses to avoid overdose. 

Price for Value: Nicotine Pouches vs Nicotine Gums

Nicotine pouches offer more value for price compared to nicotine gum. Yes, we had to look at it because money doesn't grow on trees, otherwise I'd be in an orchard.

Here's the breakdown of the price for value:

Based on the calculations, $70 will get you 200 nicotine gums or 350 to 280 nicotine pouches. Nicotine pouches are 20 to 28% cheaper than nicotine gum. We'll make the comparison simpler by showing the monthly costs based on intake.

Monthly Expenditure Comparison

Based on a monthly cost analysis, nicotine pouches will hurt your pockets less. Nicotine pouches will cost you even less if you get them in bulk at a discount. We offer a range of popular tobacco-free nicotine pouches at sweet discounts, with the fastest delivery. 

Nicotine Pouches Vs Gum: Which is Better to Stop Smoking?

The facts speak for themself and it seems that nicotine gum affects smoking cessation less favourably compared to pouches. According to research published by the NIH, Nondaily smokers only have a 7.2% quit rate with nicotine gum and a 5% rate with placebo gum.

There are no explicit studies on nicotine pouches, but their effects are comparable and more profound compared to snus. According to research by the NIH, people who used snus daily had a 72% smoking cessation rate. 

Nicotine pouches have a similar makeup and do not contain tobacco. While the literature on these pouches is limited, the smoking cessation success rate should be similar. 

Conclusion

Nicotine gum and pouches have very similar health effects and offer the same benefits. Both are used as a form of nicotine replacement therapy, but nicotine pouches work better for smoking cessation. Nicotine pouches are also easier and more effective to use.

Simultaneously, nicotine pouch users have a better tobacco cessation rate. However, nicotine pouches are not FDA-approved and should be used with care. Excessive use can easily cause addiction and long-term side effects. 

FAQs - Nicotine Pouches & Nicotine Gum

Is nicotine gum safer than nicotine pouches?

Yes, nicotine gum is safer than nicotine pouches, because they are FDA-approved. All of the ingredients in nicotine gum are approved and vetted by the relevant authorities. These pouches also contain small amounts of nicotine which reduce the risk of addiction.

What's the difference between nicotine gum and pouches?

Nicotine gum releases nicotine through chewing, while pouches release nicotine slowly under your lip. Nicotine pouches are more discreet, while nicotine gum requires more oral activity. Both are used to quit smoking, but pouches are more effective. 

What is better, nicotine gum or snus?

Nicotine gum is better than snus because the former doesn't contain tobacco. Snus is safer than cigarettes and vapes but more harmful than nicotine pouches and gums. Overall, FDA-approved and smokeless types of nicotine are much better than heated forms of nicotine. 

Do nicotine pouches damage your gums?

Yes, nicotine pouches can damage your gums if used incorrectly. Excessive use or placing the pouches consecutively on one side of the gums can cause recession or irritation. Please brush your teeth regularly and do not use more than the required daily amount to avoid gum damage.