Why Does Vaping Make Me Dizzy?

Life, even for people battling addictions, is full of options. 

For those who want to quit smoking but need to take it slowly—even if it means turning to the closest thing to a cigarette—nicotine vaping products (NVPs) are a lifesaver. 

These can help satisfy cravings temporarily, or for as long as needed. They let you do the same hand-to-mouth gesture you’re used to with regular cigarettes, as well as the inhale, the throat hit, and the exhale—almost all the sensations any smoker would probably miss. 

The difference is: you don’t get as much dangerous chemicals and carcinogens in NVPs, unlike their traditional counterparts.

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However, some smokers report experiencing headaches after trying NVPs for the first time. Is this normal? 

Keep reading to learn about the possible causes of dizziness from vaping and what you can do about it.

The Wrong Kind of NVP

Yes, there are two types of NVPs—the one that can help you with your quit-smoking journey and the one that can put your health at greater risk. 

Make sure you buy your NVP from a legitimate pharmacy. Otherwise, there’s a high chance you might experience dizziness or worse side effects.

So what makes a pharmacy different from other stores that sell NVPs? The ones you get from pharmacies are made in factories that are locally insured, follow medical standards, and are overseen by medical professionals throughout the manufacturing process.

Keep in mind that when you get your hands on an illegally sourced NVP from tobacconists or other questionable shops, it won’t be any better than smoking cigarettes. It could actually be worse.

More About Illicit Vapes

Beware of profit-driven retailers who exploit people trying to quit smoking by using NVPs. 

These opportunists often buy unregulated vapes from criminal distributors for as low as $1 and then resell them to unsuspecting and desperate buyers with a whopping 3,500% markup.

Illegally imported NVPs have been found to contain harmful substances like nickel, lead, and even traces of human saliva. This just shows that the manufacturers are not concerned about user safety or helping with smoking cessation.

Tests have also revealed that illegal vaping products can have as much as 357 mg of nicotine. That’s way too much for any smoking cessation aid and is intended to target curious non-smokers and young people, hooking them and making them dependent on these products.

So, when tempted to buy from these illegal sellers, remember that none of them care about your safety once they have you hooked. In the end, the only one who truly has your back is yourself.

Dehydration

First-time vapers often end up feeling dehydrated because the vapor can dry out your mouth and saliva. You’ll need to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Without enough water, you might feel easily tired and dizzy.

Even though NVPs give you the same throat hit and feel as a cigarette without the smoke, they can still dry out your mouth and tongue.

To avoid feeling dizzy from dehydration while using an NVP, just keep a glass of water close by. Pro tip: having a pitcher or bottle nearby is a good idea, especially in the summer or if you go on a night-out.

Faster Nicotine Volume Consumed

Cigarettes and NVPs both contain nicotine, a substance that may cause headaches if consumed rapidly or in large amounts.

Why does nicotine make you dizzy? Nicotine can cause a temporary rise in blood pressure and stimulation of the adrenal glands. Rapid nicotine consumption also makes you feel much more sensitive to motion sickness. 

The nicotine salts from a pharmacy NVP can deliver a higher volume of nicotine faster than a cigarette – an integral part of its design to satiate cravings to wean you off smoking for good.

This makes a GP’s supervising role in your smoking cessation programme important; they can monitor and advise you on the right way to use pharmacy NVPs with minimal dizziness and side effects when you need to handle strong cravings and withdrawals.

In doing so, they can help you adapt smoothly to pharmacy NVPs while on your journey toward quitting smoking for good.

A Higher Nicotine Dosage

While some people trying to quit may have problems with faster nicotine volume consumption, some might find that they’re consuming more than they actually should.

Again, a GP monitoring your use of NVPs throughout a programme can help you find the right dosage suitable for your needs. They can assess your smoking habits and prescribe the right nicotine dosage your NVP should contain to help wean you off with minimal to no side effects during use.

Coughing

Most motivated smokers report that their heads spin from vaping because they’re coughing while using it. Coughing is a somewhat common issue for first-time NVP users, and it will disappear over a short period as you start to adapt.

Anyone puffing on NVPs more than they should (rather than follow their GP’s advice on proper intake intervals and volumes) is more likely to experience coughing and the headaches it brings about.

So, make sure to follow your GP’s intake and usage advice to reduce coughs. Drinking water each time you puff is also a great way to relax your throat after every puff and take care of your hydration levels.

How to Stop Dizziness from Vaping?

Being dizzy while using NVPs is a somewhat common symptom among many first-time users, so don’t fret. Here are some steps to make sure you won’t get dizzy while using NVPs as part of your smoking cessation programme.

Take It Slow

Follow your GP’s recommended NVP usage and take it slow. Set aside the notion that you can puff on an NVP the same way you do as a cigarette stick. By doing so, you can wean yourself off of nicotine with the device without experiencing any dizziness.

Consult a GP

GPs have helped many motivated smokers quit using nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and medically-supported NVPs from pharmacies. They know the correct interval and intake a motivated smoker needs to reduce withdrawal symptoms and use their device for smoking cessation. Furthermore, you can only buy pharmacy NVPs with a GP’s prescription.

Only Use Pharmacy NVPs

As mentioned, illegal NVPs available in general retail shops will not just cause headaches but also a huge laundry list of health problems. Only use pharmacy NVPs that keep your smoking cessation journey as the main goal.

Remember that illegal NVPs are manufactured with zero medical manufacturing considerations to maximise profits and keep you addicted and coming back for more.

Drink Lots of Water

Lastly, keep water handy with you at all times when you vape anywhere. Dehydration can cause extremely painful headaches and is a common side effect of using pharmacy NVPs. 

Whether it’s a glass or bottle near you, keep it filled at all times and drink after every puff – you’ll thank yourself and maintain your focus while using NVPs for smoking cessation.

Use a Pharmacy NVP for The Best Quitting Experience

Here’s how to buy nicotine vaping products from pharmacies.

Go Through First-Line Solutions First

You need a nicotine prescription before you can purchase NVPs. As a second-line solution, one requirement is that you’ve already tried and failed to quit smoking with a first-line treatment, such as NRT products. 

NRT products (like patches and gums) are the most trusted quitting option available for motivated smokers. They might not imitate cigarettes, but they contain a small dose of nicotine that may be enough to alleviate your withdrawals.

While NRTs can be effective, they don’t work for everyone. If these haven’t done the trick for you, you may now be eligible for a nicotine prescription.

Chat to a GP

As mentioned, NRT products have worked for many successful ex-smokers. But, you might have ingrained behaviours and triggers that only something that mimics a cigarette can successfully address, such as the hand-to-mouth motion, and needing something to use while having a drink with friends. 

If your GP deems it necessary, they can write you a nicotine prescription for NVPs. 

You can chat to your usual GP about to know more about this.

Visit Your Local Pharmacy

Once you have your nicotine prescription, you can pop down to your local pharmacy. Over 2,200 pharmacies across Australia hold these products in-store, but any pharmacy can order these in for you if they don’t currently stock them.

Both your pharmacist and GP can advise you on how best to use the product, such as the initial setup, and the number of puffs to take when you feel withdrawals.

Summary

It’s normal to feel dizzy while you’re using NVPs for the first time. However, you might experience severe symptoms if you don’t drink water frequently while using it or if you’re consuming higher-than-needed nicotine dosages. 

Make sure to report and consult your GP regularly to monitor your experience while using NVPs and make your quitting experience a lot smoother and easier throughout.

If you’re interested to know more about smoking cessation programmes and the best and most hassle-free ways to help you quit smoking, we recommend you stay and learn more here at Smokefree Clinic.

Smokefree Clinic gives you access to many medically reviewed and trustworthy resources that can inform and aid you in your path to wellness, so have a look around! 

If you’re ready to get started, Smokefree can connect you to Australian healthcare professionals who excel in helping patients quit smoking for good.

Link Reference:

• https://www.vice.com/en/article/n7zb37/we-got-your-vapes-tested-in-a-lab-heres-what-we-found
• https://www.bbc.com/news/health-65614078
• https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2023/08/paddy-gower-on-vaping-shocking-facts-uncovered-about-the-known-and-unknown-health-risks-of-e-liquids.html
• https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9013-dehydration
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17990061/