Nicotine Pouches and Exercise: Effects on Fitness and Training

• Studies have investigated if snus affects fitness
• Some research suggests nicotine can affect focus, decision-making, precision, and endurance
• However, beginners or infrequent users may experience other side effects
• Genetics and nicotine strength will also impact your experience
• 1 in 5 Premier League footballers use nicotine pouches or snus

Several studies have looked at how nicotine influences physical and mental performance. The research points to four specific areas where effects have been noted in relation to exercise:

• Focus and coordination
• Decision-making
• Endurance
• Precision and fine motor skills

One study looked at how archery athletes performed when given nicotine gum.¹

The athletes were able to think more quickly and perform more accurately when it came to hand-eye coordination tasks.

Their overall scores improved compared to when they took a placebo. This suggests that nicotine may influence focus and motor control under pressure.

The same study reported that the archers also performed better in stressful situations, where clear thinking and precise timing were required.

This suggests that nicotine could play a role in group sports or activities where quick decisions are essential.

In another study, cyclists that used nicotine patches were able to ride longer compared to those without nicotine, by an average of 17%.²

Interestingly, the cyclists did not feel that the exercise was harder. This suggests that nicotine’s effects may be more linked to the brain than to the body.

A meta-analysis of 41 studies confirmed that nicotine can enhance attention, short-term memory, and fine motor skills (small, precise movements that use the small muscles in the hands, fingers, and wrists).³

These changes might be relevant in sports like archery, golf, or shooting, where precision is key.

Nicotine may also have other effects in relation to exercise and fitness. 

We interviewed Dr. Fredrik Nyström, Professor of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology at Linköping University, who explained that some people can experience the following side effects from using nicotine:

• Nausea
• Dizziness
• A sense of unsteadiness or weakness in the legs

This so-called nicotine rush sensation is more likely to be experienced by new or infrequent users.

Dr. Nyström also explains that nicotine stimulates certain stress hormones. These can help heighten alertness and focus when training.

This mechanism may help explain why, in the archery study mentioned above, athletes performed better with nicotine but also showed signs of increased strain on the nervous system (which was measured by reduced heart rate variability).

What this means in simple terms is that the performance boost experienced after using nicotine may come at the expense of your body’s recovery and nervous system health.

In other words, it might be harder to recover from exercise.

Not everyone reacts to nicotine the same way. Dr. Nyström explains that genetics play an important role in how nicotine binds to receptors, which explains why the effects can vary so much between individuals.

For example, one person may feel alert and focused after nicotine use, while another may experience nausea or light-headedness.

These differences can affect how you approach nicotine and training.

Nicotine strength also makes a difference. Brands such as Nordic Spirit, ZYN, and VELO offer products in Normal (1-6mg), Strong (6.1-9mg), and Extra Strong (9.1-20mg) categories.

Choosing the right pouch strength for your tolerance is key, especially if you’re considering using nicotine pouches close to workouts.

The use of nicotine has also been seen in professional sport. A recent Loughborough University study revealed that around one in five professional footballers in England currently use nicotine pouches. 

Interestingly, the top three reasons for using nicotine pouches were not related to athletic performance. Instead, players cited relaxation, mental readiness, and social influence within teams as their main reasons for using pouches.

You can read more about how nicotine use has become a part of modern football culture in our article One in Five Footballers Use Snus – Study Reveals.

Studies show that there are four areas that nicotine may influence in relation to exercise: focus, coordination, precision, and endurance. 

However, there is also the potential to experience side effects like nausea or dizziness. And since results can vary widely between individuals, this is not a one-size-fits-all experience.

So if you’re wondering, “Can I use nicotine pouches while working out?”, the answer is that it ultimately depends on your tolerance, the strength of the pouch, and the type of exercise you are doing.