Seeking advice on nasal snuff

[absinthe]

Now, I am finished processing som tobacco and the first batches are either sun cured and aging or fermented and aging away until they reach perfection to my taste. I have always been curious about nasal snuff. I remember seeing some as a kid in the USA about 1980 or so. I have read a bit about it and have made my first batches of tobacco flour from sun dried samsun stems and some fermented air cured Havana stems. Sometimes, I add bits of leaf scraps as well. I tried snuffing a bit of it as straight tobacco flour with nothing else added. To my surprise, I like it a lot. Then samsun flour smells like walnuts and the Havana flour smells pleasantly of raisins. The nonfermented samsun flour is stronger in nicotine than the fermented Havana flour.
Now, I have read, that true snuff uses all kinds of additives, including sodium carbonate, salt, oils, fragrances, water, etc. I have not tried any recipes yet. I kind of like the feel of straight tobacco flour and do not like the thought of strange flavors/scents, menthol, cherry, etc. Maybe it's great. I do not know. I have to main questions:
1. Some people say that adding sodium carbonate increases the absorbtion of nicotine in the nasal membranes, improving the strength. Others say it can really burn and irritate your nasal cavities. Which is true. What strategy is best? To Sodium carbonate or not to sodium carbonate? That is the question.
2. Am I weird or stupid for enjoying plain, nonadulterated tobacco flours? Will the snuff be much better with scents, oils, salt, etc.? Unfortunately, there is not tons of products out there to try, and why buy when I have a boatload of my own tobacco at home. Snuff is not sold in Denmark, where I live. Poschl in Germany sells many varieties. Snuff is also sold in England and Scotland. Should I just buy a tin and try it? Should I mix some up at home and give it a snuff?

Any and all comments or opinions are welcome

 

[johnny108]

1. Adding an alkaline salt will increase the speed of the nicotine absorption- providing more of a “rush” feeling. The alkaline salt will play nice with your nasal cavity. It can hurt, and long term, is more destructive to your sinuses. When I make nasal snuff (rare), I just use powdered leaf, no additives. Older snuff recipes have a lot of strong flavors in them, but that’s pretty much all you will smell for a while, so I don’t bother.
2. Not weird- fortunate! Most people have no idea what tobacco really can taste like, because they buy commercial tobacco products which are LOADED with additives and flavorings. Cigarette smokers who try my stuff all comment on how much better it tastes. They are surprised when I tell them they are smoking cocoa powder, licorice root extract, etc. and not straight tobacco, which is what I give them.
Rather than waste your own pure leaf tobacco, I would travel and buy a tin of a snuff with a flavor you are interested in, and try it. Otherwise you will use a lot of rare and valuable tobacco, plus a lot of time, making something you don't enjoy.

 

[deluxestogie]

To my surprise, I like it a lot.

You have discovered "true" snuff. Congratulations! Forget the factory products.

Bob

 

[AckAck]

Before I knew where to get snuff online, I found where to source whole leaf. I didn't know what i was looking for in tobacco and I ordered a pound of fronto leaf. It turned out a very nice smelling tobacco without any sodium carbonate. I did scent some with different citrus essential oils, and another with chocolate absolute. Two of my friends would ask me for some when they saw me, so it wasn't bad. It can definitely be pleasurable as is. Sometimes simple is better.

 

[johnny108]

Before I knew where to get snuff online, I found where to source whole leaf. I didn't know what i was looking for in tobacco and I ordered a pound of fronto leaf. It turned out a very nice smelling tobacco without any sodium carbonate. I did scent some with different citrus essential oils, and another with chocolate absolute. Two of my friends would ask me for some when they saw me, so it wasn't bad. It can definitely be pleasurable as is. Sometimes simple is better.

The profound is always simple.

 

[JukkaPekka]

As ENT doctor the sodium carbonate does not sound very tempting in nose cavity.

 

[johnny108]

As ENT doctor the sodium carbonate does not sound very tempting in nose cavity.

The carbonate increases the speed of nicotine absorption, but, over time, the same amount will be absorbed.
For my use (chewing tobacco), I use carbonate for daytime tobacco, and plain leaf for my evening dip- I find it more relaxing and meditative.

 

[deluxestogie]

As ENT doctor the sodium carbonate does not sound very tempting in nose cavity.

Ideally, the sodium carbonate is proportioned to simply raise the pH of the preparation enough to maximize mucosal absorption of nicotine from the nasopharynx. I don't know where the pH of the snuff typically settles, but it doesn't need to be much above 7.0. I suspect that the sensation of excessive alkalinity may encourage adding more Na₂CO₃ than is necessary.

Bob