# Nicotine Pouches: Productivity Boost or Addiction?

> Investment banker Nolan Borgersen uses Zyn nicotine pouches for focus but admits addiction.
- Title: Nicotine Pouches: Productivity Boost or Addiction? | Shortify
- Summary: Investment banker Nolan Borgersen uses Zyn nicotine pouches for focus but admits addiction. Nolan Borgersen, a 29-year-old investment banker, uses nicotine…
- Keywords: nolan borgersen, zyn, nicotine pouches, productivity, addiction, dave asprey, andrew huberman, max rodman, kalos, adhd, nicotine, biohacking
- Source: New York Post — https://nypost.com/2026/09/17/health/nicotine-pouches-are-the-hot-productivity-drug-fans-admit-i-am-addicted
- Published: 2026-09-17T12:58:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: nolan borgersen, zyn, nicotine pouches, productivity, addiction, dave asprey, andrew huberman, max rodman, kalos, adhd, nicotine, biohacking
## Nolan Borgersen's Productivity Ritual
Nolan Borgersen, a 29-year-old investment banker, slips a tiny white nicotine pouch under his upper lip ten times daily for focus during work.

> They’re very subtle, so I love that I can have them in during meetings or throughout the day.
## Zyn Pouches for Daily Focus
Borgersen uses Zyn nicotine pouches as a productivity tool, doubling up on weekends and admitting he is addicted.

> Oh, I am addicted.
## Nicotine Pouches' Rise in Popularity
Nicotine pouches, first sold in Sweden in the early 2000s, became popular in the US by the late 2010s as smoke-free alternatives.
## Wellness Influencers Promote Nicotine
Wellness influencers like Dave Asprey and Andrew Huberman promote nicotine as a cognitive enhancer without caffeine’s jitters.

> Nicotine is one of the most misunderstood compounds in the biohacking world.
## Addiction Concerns Grow
Neuropharmacologist Frances Leslie warns nicotine can lead to addiction, making it hard to quit even after stopping use.

> Once you’re addicted, it’s pretty hard to to kick it.
## Max Rodman's Focus Ritual
Max Rodman, a 23-year-old with ADHD, uses nicotine pouches with KALOS mints for focus but struggles with withdrawal.

> I would have constant brain fog.
## Nicotine's Short-Term Benefits
Dr. Fawad Mian confirms nicotine provides a brief boost in alertness and focus but risks dependence over time.

> Nicotine can make someone feel sharper, more alert and more focused in the short term.
## Long-Term Risks Unsettled
Research shows nicotine may damage gum tissue and increase cardiovascular risk, but long-term effects remain unclear.

> Nicotine may damage fibroblasts, the cells involved in maintaining and repairing gum tissue.
## Borgersen's Productivity Trade-Off
Borgersen balances nicotine's focus benefits with concerns about gum health and addiction risks.

> I know there’s some studies around blood flow restriction and cardiovascular restriction.
## The Addiction Dilemma
Users like Rodman caution against nicotine as a focus tool, emphasizing individual differences in response and addiction risk.

> You shouldn’t just listen to someone on the internet telling you, ‘Oh, nicotine is good for you.'
## Borgersen's Future Plans
Borgersen aims to quit nicotine pouches eventually but currently relies on them for productivity.

> I mean I would love to stop eventually.
## The Productivity Debate Continues
Experts warn nicotine pouches may boost focus short-term but risk addiction and long-term health effects.

> The concern is that the same pathways that create that focus effect also drive dependence.
## Key takeaway

Nolan Borgersen, a 29-year-old investment banker, uses nicotine pouches for productivity but admits he is addicted, despite claims they enhance focus.