Nicotine Buzz from Vaping: How it Affects Your Body

Vaping has become increasingly popular, especially among younger people, but not everyone knows how it affects the body. One of the things people talk about is the nicotine buzz or nicotine rush delivered by vaping products.

This page explores what nicotine does to your body, how does nicotine make you feel, and what does a nicotine buzz feel like. The more you know about this addictive chemical, the more easily you can stop using nicotine in any form. 

What Is Nicotine?

Nicotine is a natural chemical found in tobacco plants. It’s the main reason why people get hooked on cigarettes, cigars, and even vaping. When you use any product which contains nicotine, the chemical rapidly enters your bloodstream and travels to your brain. Once there, it changes the way your brain works, making you feel more alert or relaxed, depending on how much you’ve used.

Nicotine is also a stimulant, which means it speeds up your heart rate and makes your body release adrenaline, a hormone that prepares you to be more active. While nicotine might make you feel good for a short time, it’s also highly addictive. This means the more you use it, the more your body craves it, which can provoke an array of long-term health problems.

Effects of Nicotine on the Body

Nicotine has many effects on the body, impacting different organs and systems. The damage caused by this chemical mainly happens long-term.

Heart and blood vessels:

• Increased heart rate: Nicotine speeds up your heart rate, making your heart work harder.

• High blood pressure: It causes your blood vessels to narrow, which raises your blood pressure and makes your heart pump more forcefully.

• Risk of heart disease: Over time, this added stress can lead to heart disease, increasing the chances of heart attacks or strokes.

Lungs and respiratory system:

• Breathing difficulties: Nicotine can cause your airways to narrow, making it harder to breathe.

• Risk of lung disease: Although vaping doesn’t produce tar like cigarettes, the chemicals in nicotine products can still damage lung tissue, leading to conditions like chronic bronchitis and other respiratory problems.

• Impaired lung function: Long-term use of nicotine can reduce your lung capacity, making it more difficult to exercise and engage in physical activities.

Brain and nervous system:

• Addiction: Nicotine alters brain chemistry, leading to strong cravings and dependence. This makes it very hard to quit once you start using nicotine.

• Mood changes: While nicotine might make you feel relaxed or alert initially, it can also lead to mood swings, irritability, and anxiety, especially when the effects start to wear off.

• Impaired brain development: Nicotine can interfere with brain development in young people, affecting memory, attention, and learning abilities.

Digestive system:

• Increased stomach acid: Nicotine stimulates your stomach to produce more acid, which can lead to heartburn, acid reflux, or ulcers.

• Decreased appetite: Some people find that nicotine reduces their appetite, which might lead to unhealthy eating habits or weight loss.

• Slower digestion: Nicotine can slow down the digestive process, leading to issues like constipation or indigestion.

Reproductive system:

• Reduced fertility: Nicotine can affect hormone levels, potentially making it harder for both men and women to conceive.

• Pregnancy risks: Pregnant women who use nicotine are at higher risk of miscarriage, premature birth, and having a baby with low birth weight.

Skin and appearance:

• Premature aging: Nicotine causes your blood vessels to narrow, reducing the amount of oxygen and nutrients that reach your skin. This can lead to wrinkles and a dull complexion.

• Delayed wound healing: Nicotine restricts blood flow, so it can slow down your body’s ability to heal cuts, bruises, and other injuries.

Immune system:

• Weakened immune response: Nicotine can suppress your immune system, making you more susceptible to infections and illnesses.

• Increased inflammation: Nicotine can trigger inflammation throughout the body, which can contribute to a range of chronic conditions, including heart disease and diabetes.

Beyond these effects, nicotine also provides a buzz – what is this, then?

What Is a Nicotine Buzz?

A nicotine buzz (nic buzz) is the quick, intense feeling you get right after using a nicotine product like a vape or cigarette. It’s often described as a rush of energy or a feeling of lightheadedness. This happens because nicotine triggers the release of certain chemicals in your brain that make you feel good and alert. The buzz usually doesn’t last long, but it’s one of the reasons why people keep coming back to nicotine.

Can Nicotine Get You High?

Nicotine doesn’t get you high in the way that drugs like marijuana or alcohol do. Instead, it gives you a brief feeling of pleasure and relaxation. Some people might feel a slight head rush or dizziness, especially if they’re new to nicotine or haven’t used it in a while. However, this feeling is different from a true high because it’s much more subtle and short-lived.

How Does Nicotine Give You a Buzz?

Nicotine gives you a buzz by affecting your brain’s natural chemicals. When you use nicotine, it quickly enters your bloodstream and travels to your brain. Once there, it causes the release of dopamine, a chemical that makes you feel happy and satisfied. It also triggers the release of adrenaline, which can make your heart race and your body feel more alert. These effects combined create the sensation known as a nicotine buzz, giving you that quick but temporary feeling of pleasure and energy.

What Does a Nicotine High/Buzz Feel Like?

A nicotine buzz can feel different for everyone, but there are some common sensations people experience. When you first inhale or use nicotine, you might feel a quick rush of energy or a slight tingling in your head. Some people describe it as feeling lightheaded or dizzy, almost like you stood up too fast. Along with this, you might also feel more awake and focused, as if you suddenly got a boost of energy.

For some, the nicotine buzz can also bring a sense of calm or relaxation. This happens because nicotine affects the brain chemicals that control your mood, making you feel more at ease. The buzz is short-lived, lasting only a few minutes. After it fades, you might feel more tired or even a bit anxious, especially if you use nicotine often.

The intensity of the buzz can depend on several factors, such as how much nicotine you use, how often you use it, and whether your body is used to it. People who are new to nicotine might feel the buzz more strongly, while those who use it regularly might not feel it as much unless they increase their dose.

How Long Does a Nicotine Buzz Last?

A nicotine buzz usually doesn’t last long. For most people, the buzz kicks in within seconds to a few minutes after using nicotine and lasts for about 10 to 30 minutes. The exact length of the buzz can vary depending on how much nicotine you use and how your body reacts to it.

At first, the buzz might feel strong, especially if you’re new to nicotine or haven’t used it in a while. But as your body gets used to nicotine, the buzz might not last as long or feel as intense. Some people might find that the buzz fades quickly, leaving them wanting to use nicotine again to bring back that feeling.

Over time, as you use nicotine more often, your body builds up a tolerance, meaning you might need to use more of it to get the same buzz, and the effects might wear off faster. This can lead to using nicotine more frequently, which increases the risks associated with its use.

Nicotine Withdrawal

When someone stops using nicotine after being used to it, their body and brain go through a process called withdrawal. Nicotine is highly addictive, and your body quickly gets used to having it. When you stop using the substance, your body has to adjust to not getting that regular dose of nicotine. This adjustment can cause several uncomfortable symptoms that can make quitting hard, but being aware of these symptoms and how long they last can help you prepare and push through.

Symptoms

Nicotine withdrawal symptoms happen because your brain and body are missing the nicotine they’ve gotten used to. Here are some common symptoms people might experience:

• Cravings: One of the hardest parts of nicotine withdrawal is dealing with cravings. Your body wants nicotine, and these cravings can be very strong. You might find yourself thinking about smoking or vaping a lot.

• Irritability: Without nicotine, you might feel more easily annoyed or frustrated. Things that didn’t bother you before might suddenly make you angry or upset.

• Anxiety: Many people feel more anxious or nervous when they’re going through nicotine withdrawal. This can make it harder to relax or focus on other things.

• Difficulty concentrating: Without nicotine, you might find it harder to concentrate or focus on tasks. Your mind might wander more than usual.

• Increased appetite: Nicotine often suppresses your appetite, so when you stop using it, you might feel hungrier than usual. This can lead to eating more, which is why some people gain weight when they quit smoking or vaping.

• Depressed mood: It’s common to feel sad or down when you’re going through withdrawal. This is partly because your brain is adjusting to not having nicotine’s effects on mood.

• Restlessness: You might feel fidgety or have trouble sitting still. This restlessness is a common part of withdrawal.

• Sleep problems: Many people have trouble sleeping when they’re going through nicotine withdrawal. You might have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or you might wake up feeling tired even after a full night’s sleep.

• Headaches: Some people get headaches during nicotine withdrawal. These can range from mild to severe.

• Sweating: Your body might sweat more as it adjusts to not having nicotine.

These symptoms can be tough to deal with, but they are a normal part of the withdrawal process. Keep in mind that these symptoms won’t last forever – they are a sign that your body is healing and adjusting to life without nicotine.

Timeline

The timeline for nicotine withdrawal can vary from person to person. Some people might feel withdrawal symptoms sooner or for a longer time than others. That said, here’s a general idea of what to expect:

• First few hours: Nicotine levels in your body drop quickly after your last use. Within just a few hours, you might start to feel cravings. These cravings can be intense, especially if you’re used to having nicotine regularly.

• 1 to 3 days: The first few days after you stop using nicotine are usually the hardest. This is when withdrawal symptoms are at their peak. You might feel a mix of cravings, irritability, anxiety, and trouble concentrating. Physical symptoms like headaches and sweating are also common during this time.

• 1 week: After about a week, the worst of the physical withdrawal symptoms usually start to fade. Cravings might still be strong, but things like headaches and sweating often get better. However, emotional symptoms like irritability and anxiety can still be challenging.

• 2 to 4 weeks: Over the next few weeks, withdrawal symptoms should continue to improve. Cravings might come and go, but they’re usually less intense. You might still feel some irritability or trouble concentrating, but these should start to get better too. By the end of the first month, most people feel much better and find it easier to manage their symptoms.

• 1 to 3 months: After the first month, withdrawal symptoms are mostly gone. Cravings can still happen, but they’re usually much less frequent and easier to manage. Emotional symptoms like anxiety or depression should also be improving. Some people might still have occasional trouble with sleep or concentration, but these issues usually get better with time.

Everyone’s experience with nicotine withdrawal is different. Some people might have a harder time, while others might find it easier. But no matter what, it’s worth it to stick with quitting. The longer you go without nicotine, the better you’ll feel, and the easier it will become to remain abstinent. If you’re struggling, remember there are many resources and support systems available to help you through the process. Quitting nicotine is challenging, but it’s one of the best things you can do for your health and well-being.

Nicotine Rush | FAQs

Does nicotine gum give you a buzz?

Nicotine gum can give you a mild buzz, especially if you’re not used to nicotine. The mild nicotine high is less intense than the nic high delivered by smoking or vaping.

What does a buzz feel like off a vape?

A nicotine buzz from vaping can make you feel lightheaded, relaxed, or even a bit dizzy. Feeling nicotine buzz dizzy is a fleeting sensation that usually fades rapidly.

Does nicotine make you tired?

Nicotine can make some people feel tired after the initial buzz wears off. It might also disrupt sleep, making you feel more tired later.

Do cigars give you a buzz?

Yes, cigars can give you a nicotine buzz, especially if you inhale the smoke. The buzz might be stronger than from cigarettes due to the higher nicotine content.

Get Science-Backed, Compassionate Addiction Treatment at Gratitude Lodge

If you or someone you love need help getting back on track from any form of substance abuse, we can help you at Gratitude Lodge in California. Our Newport Beach and Long Beach rehab centers offer immersive inpatient treatment programs for all types of addiction, including nicotine addiction.

Our medical detox program helps people break dependence on addictive substances with access to 24-hour clinical and emotional care. Medications may be used to reduce the intensity of withdrawal.

During ongoing inpatient treatment at one of our luxury beachside rehabs, you can get personalized treatments, such as:

• Counseling
• Motivational therapy
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• Group therapy
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• MAT (medication-assisted treatment)
• Aftercare

When you’re ready to address problematic patterns of substance use, call 800-994-2184.