Snus Side Effects: What Does Snus Do to Your Body, Gums, and Health

• Side effects of snus can vary, both short- and long-term
• Nicotine is highly addictive and regular use can lead to cravings
• Side effects can vary depending on individual tolerance, usage patterns, and nicotine strength

Snus, like other nicotine products such as tobacco-free nicotine pouches, can have an array of effects on your body.

This can range from short-term changes in alertness and focus to potential impacts on sleep and oral health.

The nicotine in snus can affect your body in several ways. The most common snus effects include:^{1, 2, 3}

• Stimulation. Snus can temporarily raise heart rate and blood pressure, due to nicotine’s stimulant effects.
• Headache, dizziness, and palpitations. These side effects can occur, especially among new users and if you have taken a stronger-than-normal nicotine dose.
• Alertness and concentration. Nicotine stimulates the central nervous system, which can increase wakefulness, attention, and focus.
• Sleep disruption. As a stimulant, nicotine is linked to poorer sleep quality, including difficulty falling or staying asleep (shown through studies in smokers, where nicotine is highlighted as a significant contributor).

Some users report feeling more relaxed after using snus, which is perhaps because nicotine has a biphasic effect. This means that it works in two phases, acting as a stimulant but also a depressant.⁴

As a similar nicotine product, the side effects of nicotine pouches often overlap with those of snus. You can learn more in our guide on are nicotine pouches safe.

Some users worry not just about gum health but also wonder, is snus bad for your teeth? While there’s no direct evidence linking snus to tooth loss, there is a chance that gum recession and irritation can occur.^{1, 2}

• Oral lesions. Traditional snus use can lead to harmless changes in the mouth, like white patches (leukoplakia). These usually heal after stopping use.
• Gum recession. Observed in some snus users.
• Gum disease or tooth loss. No current evidence directly links snus usage to gum disease or tooth loss. However, no studies disprove it either.

Nicotine is a highly addictive substance. Regular use can lead to cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

Research findings vary when it comes to snus side effects long-term. Possible connections to certain cancers, cardiovascular issues, and changes in metabolism have been explored.^{1, 4}

• Cancer Risk. Most large studies on Swedish snus do not show an increased risk for oral, head, and neck cancers. Findings on pancreatic and rectal cancer are mixed.
• Cardiovascular Effects. People who have never smoked but use snus may have a higher risk of certain types of stroke. For other heart- and blood-related problems, studies show mixed results or no clear link.
• Metabolic impacts: Using a lot of snus has been linked in some studies to higher fat levels in blood, weight gain, and possibly type 2 diabetes, but research results are not consistent.

Overall, what are the effects of snus in the long term? Evidence remains mixed, with some risks still under research.

According to Dr Sudhanshu Patwardhan, founder of the Centre for Health Research and Education (CHRE), there are several factors that can affect how you experience nicotine pouches:

• Individual tolerance
• Being a first-time user
• Pouch strength
• Pouch placement
• Duration
• Frequency of nicotine use

For example, if you put the pouch in the same place or leave it in for a long period of time, this is more likely to lead to gum or oral irritation.

Dr. Patwardhan’s work focuses on nicotine pouches, which are a similar nicotine product to snus but do not contain tobacco.

While the short- and long-term effects of snus are still being studied, research suggests that experiences can vary widely. Individual tolerance, usage patterns, and nicotine strength all play a role in affecting the side effects you experience with snus.