“Why do Zyns and nicotine pouches give me hiccups every time?" asked @callmecarolyn, a TikTok user to her followers. What followed were discussions on how nicotine pouch users experience unexpected hiccups.

‘Nicotine hiccups’. Sounds like a made-up name, right? Is this one of those internet-coined words? Though it may sound so, it really isn’t. Nicotine hiccups are real and backed by scientific evidence.

A 2021 analyzing the Food and Drug Administration’s adverse-event reporting system (FAERS) found that nicotine was associated with hiccups. Anecdotal evidence supports this claim, with users sharing their experiences on platforms like TikTok and Reddit.

“Anyone else get the hiccups every time they put a zyn in?” asked a Reddit user. “I definitely have on the occasion. Not every time. I have used Zyns for like 3-4 years now,” one responded. Another said, “Ya used to all the time, zyn Lucy anything salt. I especially have gotten it whilst drunk. I use snus now and haven’t experienced it as much but it used to be literally almost every time.”

So what causes these Nicotine hiccups?

Nicotine works by binding to receptors in the brain and nervous system. When these receptors are activated, they release neurotransmitters throughout the body. Dopamine, which is one of these neurotransmitters, plays a role in regulating the phrenic nerve, which controls breathing in the diaphragm. The can irritate the mucus membrane lining the throat and esophagus, potentially causing hiccups. It may also stimulate stomach acid production, leading to reflux, which can further result in more hiccups.

Nicotine is a highly addictive chemical that is especially dangerous for youth, young adults, and pregnant women, warns the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

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Nicotine pouches are smokeless to traditional tobacco products. These pouches provide nicotine without the need for smoking or chewing tobacco. They contain a powder made of nicotine, flavorings, and other ingredients. The powder dissolves in the mouth, and nicotine is absorbed through the gums and lining of the mouth. Nicotine pouches entered the U.S. market in 2016.