Snus and sport

Snus and sports are often mentioned together, as several professional football and hockey players have admitted to taking snus before important competitions. We want to explain what effects snus has in sports and what long-term consequences you should expect.

Snus and Sports – Is That Even Possible?

Snus is a smoke-free product traditionally made from ground tobacco leaves. In addition to snus, there are also tobacco-free nicotine pouches containing varying amounts of nicotine.

According to the World Anti-Doping Agency, nicotine is not currently on the list of prohibited substances in sports and competitions. However, like caffeine, it has been on the monitoring list since 2012. The main reason many professional athletes use nicotine products is their relaxing effect on the body.

Unlike traditional cigarettes, snus does not need to be burned and therefore has less impact on the lungs, as it produces no carbon monoxide smoke. Furthermore, snus products contain fewer toxins, and their long-term effects are considered less harmful than those of cigarettes.

What Are the Advantages and Potential Challenges?

Snus has both positive and negative impacts on athletic performance. Whether it provides a clear competitive advantage is not yet scientifically proven.

It’s important to note that snus affects each body differently and is available in various strengths. There are both mild products with low nicotine and extremely strong variants. We’ll show you the different effects of snus in sports:

Positive Effects of Snus in Sports

As mentioned above, nicotine has a calming effect on the body. This can be advantageous before important competitions when nerves are heavily strained by stress.

Additionally, nicotine influences adrenaline production and increases heart rate. Higher adrenaline levels can boost performance and improve focus. Alongside adrenaline, dopamine and noradrenaline release also increases, enhancing concentration and attention.

Negative Effects of Snus in Sports

Nicotine remains a highly addictive substance, and long-term use can have health drawbacks. For example, the toxin affects metabolism and may increase the risk of diabetes due to elevated dopamine and adrenaline levels.

A sustained high dopamine level can also lead to increased stress over time, as the body requires ever higher nicotine doses to achieve the same effect. Another long-term consequence is the impact on the nervous system: nicotine impairs nerve-to-muscle signal transmission, affecting coordination, and reduces muscle blood flow, limiting oxygen and energy supply. If nicotine is suddenly withdrawn, withdrawal symptoms occur.

Snus in Professional Sports?

Even in professional sports, snus is used, and more athletes are admitting its use. According to statistics, nearly one in five football players in England uses snus or nicotine pouches to boost performance. Snus is popular in football, hockey, baseball, and skiing, and even in strength-based sports like powerlifting. Whether nicotine truly enhances strength remains unproven.

Snus in Sports Is Widespread

Snus is frequently used in sports to achieve performance gains. Nicotine triggers increased release of hormones like dopamine and adrenaline, which reduce stress and enhance concentration. Even professional athletes have confessed to using snus before crucial competitions.

However, be aware that long-term nicotine use carries health risks and can ultimately impair athletic performance. Your body will also go through withdrawal symptoms if nicotine intake is suddenly stopped.