Vaping is a private decision, and each person creates a timeline for quitting (when/if they want to). You might have heard that there can be side effects to quitting, but these are short-lived, and the ultimate goal of going vape-free can be attained. We’ll see what happens when you quit vaping. Plus, if you’re ready to quit today or in the future, you’ll find information here to help you make the right decision for you.
Why Side Effects Happen After Quitting Vaping
Many vapes contain nicotine, which is addictive. It tricks your brain into feeling focused and calm. As you continue to vape, your body becomes dependent on nicotine. So, when you quit, your body notices that, and goes through nicotine withdrawal. That’s not a negative thing, it’s your body seeking a new balance.
What nicotine does to your body, besides affecting your brain’s signals, is it constricts blood vessels and speeds up your heart rate. With all the changes nicotine has caused over time, it’s natural that your body would try and rebalance itself when nicotine no longer is present. Also, how long you’ve been vaping plays a role in your body’s reset. If you’ve vaped heavily for years, with mostly or all nicotine vapes, there will be an adjustment period your body goes through when you quit.
What Are the Side Effects of Quitting Vaping? (Symptoms & Establishing New Habits)
We covered why your body adjusts to the lack of nicotine when you quit. There are other things that occur on physical, mental and emotional levels. We’ll see how each of these plays into the side effects you experience when quitting vaping.
- Headaches are common (not for everyone, but they can happen) as the blood vessel constricting influence of nicotine wears off; it’s your circulation changing and improving. You might even feel dizzy or nauseous, but these are not long-term effects and should clear up in a day or two. Coughing is your body’s way of clearing your airways after you’ve quit vaping.
- Some people go through short bouts of insomnia, and digestive issues, including potential weight gain, as nicotine was suppressing their hunger and speeding up metabolism. Vaping isn’t a substitute for eating a balanced diet and exercising, so if you do those things, you likely won’t be troubled much, or at all, by weight gain.
- What about cravings? Everyone is different when it comes to nicotine cravings; they can hit hard but surprisingly, you likely will find after a few days they subside quicker than you thought. They’re reinforced, too, by habit. The habit of picking up the vape, holding it, and, if you used a refillable, going through the ritual of filling it, and getting it ready to use, these are habits that became associated with the pleasant sensation of vaping. Plus, they were telling you that soon (if you vaped nicotine) you’d get your nicotine hit.
- Breaking up these habits when you quit vaping is a rearrangement of your lifestyle. Get up, move around, go do something else when cravings hit. Give yourself something else to hold in your hands, like a mini stress ball. These are filled with gel and are fun to squeeze. They make a good substitute for something to do with your hands until new habits form post vaping.
- Some people always used non-nicotine vapes and decide to quit. Feeling like you’re missing out on fun flavors and ingrained vaping habits can be a challenge, too. Give yourself some time to move into new lifestyle patterns.
Importantly, these symptoms vary. A light vaper might breeze through quitting; others could take longer to leave vaping behind. Remember: none of this is permanent. It's your body making changes, and the changes are good for you.
How Long Do the Side Effects of Quitting Vaping Last?
One of the most reassuring aspects of this process is its predictability. It runs on a pretty standard timeline. Most people will find it works like this:
- Symptoms can come on anywhere from 4 to 24 hours after your last puff. That’s because nicotine levels will fall.
- Between days 1 to 3, things really start to change over; your body is healing itself, but the cravings are still there, understandably.
- Relief starts around day 3 to 4 for most people. Physical symptoms begin to ease as your body clears lingering nicotine (it takes about 72 hours for most to exit your system).
- By week 2, the worst is behind you. Cravings drop as you get into your post-vaping lifestyle.
- You did it! Expect 2 to 4 weeks for the bulk of withdrawal to subside, though you might still think about vaping from time to time. At this point, sticking with your new habits is what will help you stay the course.
Everyone's timeline differs based on how much they vaped. Use the above list as a general guide.
Want an even more detailed timeline? This one from Tobacco-Free Life focuses on smoking, but the effects of nicotine withdrawal are very similar for vapers, too.
Tips to Manage Side Effects When Quitting
Some people will find it difficult to go through nicotine withdrawal. These tips can help you cope.
- Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) – patches, gum, or lozenges deliver controlled doses to taper cravings without vaping. Consult a doctor to see which option is right for you.
- Hydration is important for healing – water flushes toxins and combats headaches. Aim for 8–10 glasses daily, and herbal teas can soothe a scratchy throat.
- Exercise! The idea is to use it as a two-prong benefit: you get away from your immediate thought patterns; and you get to work out. Pick your speed; high, low or medium intensity. Sometimes a quick break is all you need to stop thoughts that could lead you back to old habits.
- Be aware of your diet; lots of sugary and fatty foods won’t help – go for some veggies and fruit to give yourself lots of taste options but with few calories.
- Caffeine and alcohol can amplify cravings. You may wish to avoid those for the first week or two while you quit vaping.
If these tips don’t get you over the withdrawal phase, go with professional help. Therapy or medication can bridge gaps. Don’t worry if you slip up. Others have quit, and when you’re ready, you can, too.
Need more help? Get in touch with SmokeFree.gov. They offer call, text, and online chat support services.
Benefits After Quitting (Why It’s Worth It)
If quitting seems like a long haul, check out these great statistics that show how you get quitting benefits right away: Within 20 minutes, your heart rate normalizes; by day 3, breathing eases as lungs heal. Taste and smell sharpen within weeks. Long-term, you slash risks for heart disease, lung issues, and cancers. Get Truth Initiative’s full benefit timeline here.
Think, too, of the example you’ll set for others. Perhaps you have friends or children who you care about, and want the best for. They’ll see how you quit, and figure that healthy choices are within reach for them, too.
Shop I Love Ecigs for Quality Vape Devices & Accessories
Everyone’s quitting timeline is different. Your friend may have quit last year because she was ready. Perhaps you would like to quit soon, but didn’t know what to expect. Our review of quitting vaping side effects can give you some things to think about as you plan your vaping exit. There are also people who are okay with vaping for now, because it’s their off ramp from smoking, and they’re grateful for that.
Looking to reduce or eliminate nicotine from your life? Try I Love Ecigs’ Nicotine Reduction Program. You can find ideas on how to slowly move away from nicotine. You can choose to quit, or if you like vaping but want to skip the nicotine, you can try Jinx Zero (non-nicotine) vapes. They come in fun flavors you’ll enjoy. Please note that vaping, even without nicotine, may carry some risks. Please consult your medical professional to help you decide what’s best for you.
If you decide to vape, shopping for devices and supplies is best done with a trusted retailer, so you know you’ll be buying legitimate brands. I Love Ecigs sells high quality vape devices and accessories. On our site, you can easily shop for what you want, with many options. Check out top-rated devices and products from trusted brands like Logic, Jinx, Juul, Blu, and Vuse on I Love Ecigs’ site. View our product line for a great vape selection!
