Why Does Vaping Make Me Dizzy?

Life offers many choices, even for people dealing with addiction.

If you want to quit smoking but prefer to take it step by step, nicotine vaping products (NVPs) can be a helpful option, even if they are similar to cigarettes. They can help control cravings for a short period or as long as needed. 

They also allow you to maintain the familiar motions of holding a cigarette, inhaling, feeling the throat hit, and exhaling, while reducing your exposure to the harmful chemicals and carcinogens found in traditional cigarettes.

Some people, however, notice headaches when using NVPs for the first time. Is this something to worry about?

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Here are some possible reasons for dizziness from vaping and what you can do to address them.

Choosing the Right NVP

There are two types of NVPs: one that supports your journey to quit and another that may harm your health.

Always purchase your NVP from a trusted pharmacy to lower the risk of dizziness or other unwanted effects.

Pharmacy-sourced NVPs are made in insured, regulated facilities that meet medical standards and are monitored by healthcare professionals.

Illegally sourced vapes from unverified sellers are no better than cigarettes and can sometimes be even more dangerous.

The Problem with Illegal Vapes

Some sellers take advantage of people who want to quit smoking by offering unregulated products.

They often buy these devices from illegal suppliers for as little as $1 and then resell them with markups as high as 3,500 percent.

Testing has shown that these products may contain harmful substances such as nickel, lead, and even traces of human saliva. This proves that the manufacturers are not concerned about user safety.

Some illegal vapes have been found to contain up to 357 mg of nicotine, which is far too much for a smoking cessation tool. These high levels are aimed at getting non-smokers and young people hooked.

When considering buying from these sellers, remember that their priority is profit, not your safety. In the end, you are the one who must look out for yourself.

Dehydration

Many new vapers do not realize that vapor can dry out the mouth and throat, which can lead to dehydration. This can make you feel tired and dizzy.

While NVPs can give you the same throat hit as a cigarette without producing smoke, they can still cause dryness in the mouth and tongue.

To avoid dizziness from dehydration, drink plenty of water. Keeping a bottle or pitcher nearby, especially in hot weather or during a night out, can make a big difference.

Nicotine Intake Too Quickly

Both cigarettes and NVPs deliver nicotine, which can cause headaches when consumed too quickly or in large amounts.

Nicotine can temporarily raise blood pressure and stimulate the adrenal glands, and consuming it too fast can increase sensitivity to motion sickness.

Nicotine salts in pharmacy-sourced NVPs can provide nicotine faster than a cigarette, which is intended to help control cravings and support quitting.

Having a GP oversee your quitting plan is important, as they can advise you on how to use NVPs effectively while reducing dizziness and other side effects.

Too Much Nicotine Overall

Some people may have issues with consuming nicotine too quickly, while others simply use more than they need.

A GP can help determine the nicotine strength that works best for you based on your smoking habits, which will make it easier to quit without unnecessary side effects.

Coughing

For some people, dizziness from vaping is caused by coughing while using an NVP. This is common among beginners and usually goes away as your body adjusts.

Using an NVP more often than recommended can lead to more coughing and headaches.

Following your GP’s guidance on puff frequency and volume, as well as drinking water after each session, can help reduce coughing and keep you hydrated.

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/