• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Pentagon accuses Alibaba, Baidu and BYD, three of China's biggest companies, of supporting the Chinese military

2

'We are rapidly running out of time': Watchdog sounds Social Security alarm after 22% cut confirmed for 2032

3

Costco CEO Ron Vachris rose from forklift driver to the C-suite without a college degree: ‘Don’t chase a title’ is the career advice that got him there

1

Pentagon accuses Alibaba, Baidu and BYD, three of China's biggest companies, of supporting the Chinese military

2

'We are rapidly running out of time': Watchdog sounds Social Security alarm after 22% cut confirmed for 2032

3

Costco CEO Ron Vachris rose from forklift driver to the C-suite without a college degree: ‘Don’t chase a title’ is the career advice that got him there
Healthpalantir

Palantir and other tech companies are stocking offices with nicotine products to increase worker productivity

Catherina Gioino
By
Catherina Gioino
Catherina Gioino
News Editor
Down Arrow Button Icon
Catherina Gioino
By
Catherina Gioino
Catherina Gioino
News Editor
Down Arrow Button Icon
March 4, 2026, 3:05 AM ET
Tech companies are stocking nicotine pouches to increase worker productivity.
Tech companies are stocking nicotine pouches to increase worker productivity.Robert Michael—picture alliance/Getty Images

Puff, puff, pass the spreadsheets.

Recommended Video

Tech companies like Palantir and Hello Patient are stocking office vending machines with nicotine products to increase productivity among employees—and it seems to be working.

Nicotine startups Lucy and Sesh have installed branded vending machines in Palantir’s Washington, D.C., office, full of nicotine pouches that are leaving employees zipped up and ready to work.

Long a safer (and legal) alternative to the drugs that Wall Street bankers of old would use to follow market updates, tobacco products have started to make a comeback in the workplace, especially in the form of nicotine products as companies like Zyn and On! offer a less invasive way to get that nicotine high without clouding up office air.

Now, as companies stock their fridges with these pouches—usually the size of a piece of gum that remains tucked between one’s gums and cheek—they’re seeing an increased byproduct of the new office treat: If you can’t get them hooked on the work, get them hooked on the office perks.

The pouches are available for free in Palantir’s offices for employees and guests over the age of 21, a Palantir spokesperson told the Wall Street Journal. Palantir, which did not respond to requests for comment, pays to stock the products. 

Eliano A. Younes, Palantir’s head of strategic engagement, posted a photo on X of a Lucy-branded vending machine filled with nicotine products, with the caption: “Palantir DC Office 🤝 @LucyNicotine 😵‍💫 🚀.”

Sesh, in particular, has a special tie to Palantir: it received $40 million in funding from Palantir cofounder Joe Lonsdale’s 8VC firm, and the cofounder even helped the company scale up, with Lonsdale previously telling Fortune he was drawn to Sesh because it was a smoke-free alternative to other products. “People don’t want to vape anymore,” he told Fortune.

No smoke without fire

Palantir’s move is just one of the ways biohacking has taken the Silicon Valley tech space by storm. As people in the tech world become microcelebrities in their own right thanks to the extent they take their biohacking—Bryan Johnson for one gets transfusions of his teenage son’s plasma—the influx of biohacking clinics has led to people taking health matters into their own hands. 

(Culturally, Zyn has a certain cachet among right-of-center figures such as Joe Rogan and Jake Paul, with Max Read coining the phrase “Zynternet” to describe the online aesthetic of pretty much anything Joe Rogan–tinted. Palantir, cofounded by Peter Thiel and notable as a unique firm that offers consulting, defense contracting, and artificial intelligence, is arguably a Zynternet poster child. Lucy and Sesh made these vending machines—none of which contain Zyn products—and it’s unclear if the machines were intentionally aligned with that specific culture.)

However, doctors have offered a blunt warning against using tobacco as a means to biohack, saying the evidence is pretty clear tobacco has significant, long-term health effects. The biohacking in this case, however, is done with nicotine products instead.

Although most states have considered and labeled the pouches as a tobacco product, they don’t contain any tobacco, and are instead made from the plant fiber cellulose. There’s a blend of nicotine powder in the pouch, which is then mixed with sweeteners and flavoring. Because the pouch is placed between one’s gums and cheek, the nicotine enters the bloodstream directly, no smoking or spitting needed. 

“That’s what this new product is touting: that it’s a smoke-free alternative,” wrote Jennifer Cofer of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

“If your goal is to be free of the addiction, oral nicotine pouches are not the best way to go,” her statement read.

This sentiment is echoed by another tech startup that has also started to put vending machines in its offices.

Alex Cohen, founder of the AI-powered health care app Hello Patient, said he also brought a nicotine-pouch fridge to the Austin-based office—but the results weren’t worth the squeeze.

“They were very productive, so I thought, ‘Maybe there’s something here,’” he told the Wall Street Journal, referencing when he saw Zyn tins on engineers’ desks. 

After going through two or three pouches a day, he knew he had to stop.

“Then, I accidentally got addicted,” he told the Journal.

In response to a request for comment from Fortune, Cohen said he was trying to be “intentionally hyperbolic.”

“I only really use them during the day at work and don’t keep them at home,” Cohen said. “Accidentally getting addicted is something very on brand for me to say to be funny,” adding that he still only partakes “in small doses and only when I’m working.”

This story was updated to include comments from Alex Cohen.

The Fortune 500 Innovation Forum will convene Fortune 500 executives, U.S. policy officials, top founders, and thought leaders to help define what’s next for the American economy, Nov. 16-17 in Detroit. Apply here.
About the Author
Catherina Gioino
By Catherina GioinoNews Editor
Instagram iconLinkedIn iconTwitter icon

Catherina covers markets, the economy, energy, tech, and AI.

See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Health

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Health

worm
HealthFood and drink
The pest that could devastate the American cattle industry was in Texas, but now it’s in New Mexico, too
By Jeffrey Collins and The Associated PressJune 9, 2026
1 day ago
A man put a drink in front of Trump
HealthFood and drink
A Biden-era study told Americans to drink less alcohol. The Trump admin ‘sidelined’ the research facing pressure from the alcohol lobby
By Laura Ungar, Ali Swenson and The Associated PressJune 9, 2026
1 day ago
Kaged Pre-Workout Review (2026): Athlete Approved
HealthDietary Supplements
Kaged Pre-Workout Review (2026): Athlete Approved
By Christina SnyderJune 8, 2026
2 days ago
Liquid IV Review (2026): Our Personal Experience
HealthDietary Supplements
Liquid IV Review (2026): Our Personal Experience
By Christina SnyderJune 8, 2026
2 days ago
Biotics 8 Review (2026): Expert Tested
HealthDietary Supplements
Biotics 8 Review (2026): Expert Tested
By Emily PharesJune 8, 2026
2 days ago
Jacked Factory Authentic Whey Protein Review (2026)
HealthDietary Supplements
Jacked Factory Authentic Whey Protein Review (2026)
By Emily PharesJune 8, 2026
2 days ago

Most Popular

Pentagon accuses Alibaba, Baidu and BYD, three of China's biggest companies, of supporting the Chinese military
Asia
Pentagon accuses Alibaba, Baidu and BYD, three of China's biggest companies, of supporting the Chinese military
By Kate O'Keeffe and BloombergJune 8, 2026
2 days ago
'We are rapidly running out of time': Watchdog sounds Social Security alarm after 22% cut confirmed for 2032
Economy
'We are rapidly running out of time': Watchdog sounds Social Security alarm after 22% cut confirmed for 2032
By Nick LichtenbergJune 9, 2026
1 day ago
Costco CEO Ron Vachris rose from forklift driver to the C-suite without a college degree: ‘Don’t chase a title’ is the career advice that got him there
Success
Costco CEO Ron Vachris rose from forklift driver to the C-suite without a college degree: ‘Don’t chase a title’ is the career advice that got him there
By Preston ForeJune 8, 2026
2 days ago
Current price of oil as of June 9, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of June 9, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerJune 9, 2026
1 day ago
Wall Street dumped nearly $1 trillion in tech stocks by midday—then clawed it back and bought peanut butter and paint
Investing
Wall Street dumped nearly $1 trillion in tech stocks by midday—then clawed it back and bought peanut butter and paint
By Eva RoytburgJune 9, 2026
1 day ago
Current price of silver as of Tuesday, June 9, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of silver as of Tuesday, June 9, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerJune 9, 2026
1 day ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.