I've never been a smoker, but was wondering whether pouches could be a safer way of getting a nicotine hit to help with concentration etc.?
It's not safe, it's an addictive trap.
Cocaine is probably safer.
BMJ study conclusion:
Conclusion
Although nicotine pouches may potentially be a reduced risk alternative for cigarette smokers or users of some other oral tobacco products, nicotine contents of some pouches were alarmingly high. Presence of carcinogenic TSNAs in the nicotine pouches is of serious concern
I've got a pack of nicotine pouches and wondered if they were a one-off hit like coffee, in which case I'd be interested in trying them, or more like cigarettes which can get you addicted and dependent on them, in which case i should probably avoid them.
There is a link with improved concentration otherwise but do you want to take the risk? Nicotine is incredibly addictive and you may want a better vessel to give you a faster, better hit in future.
Slow release nicotine gum is designed to wean you off that fast hit but still sating your nicotine addiction which is dealt with by reducing the gum dosage over time.
Why not take the gum instead? Or just have a cup of coffee?
Just about everyone that tries it gets hooked. You wake up, with your mouth feeling like a cesspool craving that first hit. Your breath stinks and you stink. And you can’t quit.
I’d record amphetamines before nicotine.
As others have said, I wouldn't suggest trying nicotine for any reason or in any form. It is highly addictive, and if you're not use to nicotine, it can cause you to have heart palpitations.
If you want to be more alert, I suggest taking B12 or having a coffee. Coop sells some B12 capsules -- Dr. Haushka's brand or something (in a green and white box) -- and just one of those seems to give me a lot of energy even though it is just 100% the daily amount. I also highly recommend Burgerstein's Multivitamin for energy and feeling more alert. It has a lot of vitamin C, vit D and B vitamins. I always feel like I have a lot more energy when I take them, and even my doctor recommends them:
Nicotine is as addictive, or more so than heroin and cocaine so personally I wouldn't bother and find something else to aid concentration.
Getting up from one's desk and having a quick brisk walk before sitting down again can work wonders.
And nicotine can make people very dizzy if they're not use to it, as well as heart palpitations. I guess nicotine usually increases heart rate and blood pressure.
That's one reason why they say people should not smoke cigarettes while wearing a nicotine patch (e.g. after getting off a plane).