If you’re trying to quit smoking or vaping, you may have heard of Zyn. Zyns are small white nicotine pouches that sit between a person’s gums and lip and have become a popular alternative for tobacco products. Championed by celebrities like Tucker Carlson and Emma Chamberlain, these pouches have been popping up as the newest nicotine trend. But could they actually be bad for your health?

Just because something is tobacco-free doesn’t mean it’s risk-free. If you're curious about how Zyns might impact your health, keep reading. We’re breaking down everything you need to know.

Nicotine, regardless of how it’s consumed, can have an impact on your heart. Zyn may increase cardiovascular disease risk in people, especially those not already using nicotine products. Nicotine can increase your heart rate and raise your blood pressure, which can be risky for those with pre-existing heart conditions. While Zyn might be less harmful than smoking a vape, it's still important to consider how nicotine can affect your heart, especially if you have pre-existing conditions. 

One of the most common concerns about any nicotine product is its potential link to cancer. While cigarettes and smokeless tobacco have well-documented risks, the connection between Zyn pouches and cancer is less clear because of a lack of long-term studies.

People often worry about whether nicotine pouches could lead to cancers of the mouth or gums — which makes sense since the pouch spends a lot of time in your mouth next to your gums. While more research is needed to determine the full risk, nicotine itself isn’t classified as a carcinogen. However, the chemicals in vapes, cigarettes, and other tobacco products are what contribute to cancer risk.

It's worth noting that traditional nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs), like Jones mints, have been shown to not cause cancer. NRTs are FDA-approved and are considered a healthier and safer option for those looking to reduce or quit nicotine entirely.

The liver is responsible for metabolizing many substances in the body, including nicotine. Zyn’s effects on the liver have not been widely studied, but nicotine in general can place extra strain on all the organs in your body. Nicotine has even been correlated with fatty liver disease , which is the most common chronic liver disease in the U.S.

Nicotine is particularly harmful to developing brains, making it especially dangerous for teenagers and children. Early exposure to nicotine can lead to lifelong addiction and may negatively affect brain development, impacting areas like impulse control, memory, and attention ( CDC ). The long-term effects of nicotine use that begin in adolescence are still being studied. Many studies don’t account for those under 21 that use tobacco or nicotine-only products. NRT, like FDA-approved Jones mints, are available over the counter for anyone 18 years old or older.

Zyn’s long-term effects are still largely unknown. But even though they’re less harmful than smoking, we don’t know what prolonged use might do to your health. More research is needed to fully understand the impact of long-term nicotine pouch products. The best thing you can do in the meantime is to stay informed and stay mindful. Just because other people are using Zyn doesn’t mean that it might be the best quitting or nicotine alternative for you.

If you want to stop or reduce vaping, you’re already taking steps in the right direction. Some people use Zyn as a way to reduce tobacco or quit using their vape. However, the intense amount of nicotine in the pouch may cause you to prolong the habit instead and can even make you nauseous, especially if you’re used to only taking a few hits of a vape every couple hours. Zyns are also not designed to help with nicotine dependency and they can become quite addictive, so you might just be replacing one nicotine habit with another.

FDA-approved NRTs are a more effective, safer, and healthier option. In fact, doctors actually recommend using NRTs along with behavioral support to help you reduce or quit vaping. Addiction specialist and Jones Chief Medical Advisor, Dr. David Kan of UCSF says, “When patients come to me seeking advice around quitting, I recommend a combination of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and behavioral support. NRT is extremely helpful at managing initial cravings and gradually adjusting your brain's bio-chemical dependence on nicotine so that withdrawal symptoms are less severe. It's the first-line treatment agreed upon within the medical community, and it's been proven safe and effective.”

This combination is  clinically proven  to be the safest and most effective way to quit. And that’s exactly what the Jones method is.

NRTs come in various forms, each with a different nicotine delivery method:

• Lozenges/Mints: Similar to gum, but dissolve slowly in the mouth, releasing nicotine gradually. Jones has 2mg and 4mg mints. 

• Patches: Deliver a steady dose of nicotine throughout the day, helping to reduce withdrawal symptoms.

• Gum: Provides a quick nicotine fix to manage cravings on the spot.

• Sprays: Offer a fast-acting nicotine dose, particularly useful for intense cravings.

Jones Nicotine Mints are an easy, safe, and discrete way to manage cravings without the downsides of Zyn pouches. You can also use them with CBT-based behavioral support on the Jones app, where you can track your progress, text with your motivational quitting coach, and connect with a supportive community of quitters going through the same thing— all for free.

Download here

Zyns might be popular, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t come with risks. Quitting nicotine isn’t easy, but with the right options, like FDA-approved NRT, and support, you can set yourself up for success.