Get to Know Lindsay, Our Senior Scientific Content Manager at Northerner UK
Discover how Lindsay, our Senior Scientific Content Manager, helps Northerner UK make nicotine science accessible and guide customers to informed choices—from explaining how nicotine works in the brain to highlighting the benefits of smoke-free products—inside our latest interview in the Expert Insights series.
Role: Senior Scientific Content Manager
Previous Experience: BS in Biopsychology & Cognitive Science, PhD in Neuroscience & Cell Biology, Regulatory and Life Science positions in tobacco harm reduction
Time at Haypp: 4 months
Fun Fact: She is a third-place Jeopardy! Contestant
Quick 6 with Lindsay
1. Can you tell us a bit about your background and what sparked your interest in nicotine science?
"I’ve always been fascinated by how the brain works, which led me to study neuroscience. It is fun to figure out how tiny chemical signals can shape behaviour, mood, and decision-making. Nicotine is a unique molecule, and we are only beginning to understand its effects in the brain because it was always tied up with smoke. I have used nicotine for more than half my life in basically every format, and now I get to help others make informed choices."
2. You have a background in neuroscience — can you explain, in simple terms, what actually happens in the brain when someone uses nicotine?
"I can try! When nicotine enters the bloodstream, it is transported throughout the body, including the brain, where it fits like a key into specific receptors. Nicotine acts like a “switch” for certain brain circuits that regulate attention, mood, and memory. When the receptors unlock, dopamine and other transmitters are released. In short, nicotine can “tune” the brain’s signalling."
3. Many people are curious about how different products — like pouches, vapes, or traditional cigarettes — deliver nicotine. How do these methods differ in the way nicotine reaches the brain?
"It’s important to clarify that cigarettes deliver thousands of other chemicals besides nicotine, many of which are harmful. If we are only talking about nicotine, the main differences are product route and speed: "
- Cigarettes deliver nicotine through smoke inhalation, so it reaches the brain in seconds.
- Vapes also deliver nicotine through inhalation, but the speed can vary depending on device/liquid design and user behaviour (puff frequency, etc.).
- Nicotine pouches release nicotine through the lining of the mouth. It’s slower and steadier, which means a more gradual effect without the blood level nicotine spikes from faster routes.
4. From a scientific perspective, what makes nicotine pouches or other smoke-free products interesting compared to traditional ways of using nicotine?
"Two things. First, they remove combustion. This is important because most of the health risks from smoking come from repeatedly inhaling smoke. Second, the unique product characteristics. Manufacturers can vary nicotine, moisture, and pH to shift the release profile and feel, without burning anything! It took me a long time to find a pouch that was right for me, but once that happened I was able to completely switch from inhalable products."
5. There’s a lot of talk about “nicotine strength” and “fast vs slow release.” What does that really mean for users — does it change how they feel the effects?
"Yes, it does. Strength refers to how much nicotine is in the product, while release rate determines how quickly it’s absorbed. A higher strength can deliver more nicotine overall, but if the release is slow, the effect feels smoother and less intense. Fast release gives a quicker “hit,” which some users like, but I prefer low and slow. Understanding this helps people choose products that fit their needs without guesswork."
6. What’s one thing you wish more people understood about nicotine — especially when it comes to the science behind how it works and how it’s delivered?
"Nicotine was framed for a crime it didn’t commit, and smoke was let off the hook. Combustion creates thousands of harmful chemicals that are delivered to the lungs. While nicotine is addictive, it’s not what causes cancer or most smoking-related disease. When delivered without smoke, the risk profile of nicotine changes dramatically. I wish more people understood that harm reduction isn’t about outlawing nicotine; it’s about delivering it in a way that minimises harm. Reframing nicotine has real public health implications for the billion plus people in the world who smoke cigarettes."
