Snus Side Effects

• Snus may cause mild gum irritation, but effects often reverse after stopping.
• Oral changes like tingling or white patches are usually temporary and harmless.
• Nicotine is associated with feelings of both alertness and relaxation.
• Short-term side effects can include nausea or dizziness, which typically fade.
• Research shows mixed findings regarding long-term effects.

Wondering what does snus do to your body?

Snus is a smokeless tobacco product that has a long history of use in Sweden. 

This small sachet contains tobacco, water, salt, and flavourings. Tobacco contains nicotine, a stimulant which affects the central nervous system. 

Nicotine, and by extension snus, can affect your mind and body in certain ways. These effects can be categorised into three general areas:

• Oral side effects (mouth, teeth, gums)
• Nausea and digestion
• Energy, relaxation, alertness

This article will examine these three areas of how snus affects your body, the potential negative effects of snus, and potential long-term effects of snus.

Nicotine is the active ingredient in tobacco-free snus.

It is known to be highly addictive, so regular use of snus can lead to dependence and withdrawal symptoms.

Many users ask, what does snus do to your gums and is snus bad for your gums? 

Here’s what the research suggests about snus gums and oral health:^{1, 6}

• Gum irritation and recession: Frequent placement of snus in the same spot can cause gum recession.
• Oral lesions: White patches, which are typically harmless, can appear. They often heal after stopping use.
• Tooth discolouration: Typically associated with tobacco-based snus, and not modern all white nicotine pouches.
• Tingling sensation: Some users may feel a tingling or warming sensation under the lip.

Some users wonder: does snus damage gums?

There is no conclusive evidence that links snus to gum disease or tooth loss, but gums after snus use may still experience irritation or recession.¹

Some first-time users wonder: why does snus make you sick? 

The following things can be experienced when using snus:

• Nausea and dizziness
• Upset stomach
• Hiccups or excess saliva production

These snus first time side effects can also be experienced when using a higher strength than normal.

They may also occur if you swallow your spit while using snus.

It’s generally not dangerous to swallow snus pouches, but if you swallow snus spit, you may experience instances of indigestion, acid reflux, or hiccups.

Snus effects on mood can feel contradictory. For instance, some users wonder, does snus relax you or can snus make you tired?

Nicotine is a stimulant that affects the central nervous system. This can result in changes to feelings of alertness, attention, and energy levels, depending on the amount of nicotine you consume.

• At lower doses, nicotine can act as a stimulant.
• At higher doses, the effects move from stimulatory to depressing (meaning, calming or relaxing) as more of the nicotine enters the body.³

This explains why some users may experience the following side effects, which can seem contradictory to one another:^{1, 2, 4}

• Alertness and focus
• Increased concentration
• Relaxation
• Sleep disruption

The effects discussed up to this point can generally be categorised as short-term effects.

There are also potential long-term effects associated with snus use.

Let’s take a closer look at the long-term effects.

The British Heart Foundation has issued this statement in relation to nicotine and cardiovascular disease:⁵

“Nicotine, while highly addictive, is not a significant health hazard for people without heart conditions.

It does not cause acute cardiac events or coronary heart disease, and is not carcinogenic.”

There are many different factors that impact how you experience the side effects of snus, both in the short- and long-term:

Snus products come in varying nicotine strengths.

Higher nicotine content may increase the likelihood of experiencing effects such as increased heart rate, dizziness, or nausea in some users.

Placing the pouch in the same spot repeatedly or leaving it in for prolonged periods can lead to gum irritation, or white patches in the mouth.⁶ 

Most users keep a pouch in for 20–40 minutes, or until they no longer feel an effect from the snus. For more details, read about how long snus lasts.

Frequent use increases cumulative nicotine intake, which can contribute to dependence over time. 

Repeated nicotine exposure may lead to withdrawal symptoms when you stop using snus, such as irritability, cravings, or difficulty concentrating.

Learn more about how many snus a day people tend to use.

Like many things, your individual tolerance and whether you are new to snus can play a role in how nicotine affects you.

Some users experience an initial tingling sensation under the lip as nicotine begins to absorb.

As use continues, some report feeling alert and focused. Others may note a sense of calm.

Experiences vary significantly between individuals and depend on factors such as tolerance and pouch strength. 

Generally, the effects fade within minutes to hours after removing the snus. Understanding these experiences can help users to anticipate the side effects of snus.

Snus, which contains tobacco, is not legal for purchase in the UK. But you can buy tobacco-free snus online at Northerner UK.

Consider speaking with a health professional if you experience:

• Persistent or severe gum pain
• Ongoing nausea or headaches
• Difficulty stopping use
• Concerns about nicotine dependence