Help & Guidance

Why Do I Feel Sick After Vaping?

Usually too much nicotine, from too high a strength or vaping too much too fast. Lower the strength, slow down and stay hydrated; see a GP if it persists.

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If you feel sick after vaping, it is worth knowing why, as it usually points to something you can adjust. The most common cause is too much nicotine, often a strength that is too high for you, or vaping too much too quickly, but dehydration and being new to vaping can play a part too. This guide explains, alongside our guide on whether 20mg is a lot.

The most common cause: too much nicotine

The most common reason for feeling sick after vaping is taking in too much nicotine. This can happen if your nicotine strength is too high for you, or if you vape too often or too hard, sometimes called chain vaping. Nausea, dizziness, headache or a racing heart can all be signs of too much nicotine, and they usually ease if you cut back or drop to a lower strength.

Why you might feel sick

Cause	What helps
Nicotine strength too high	Switch to a lower strength
Vaping too much or too fast	Slow down, take breaks
Dehydration	Drink water
Vaping on an empty stomach	Eat something first
New to vaping	Ease in gently

Other causes and what helps

Beyond nicotine, vaping can be dehydrating, as some ingredients draw in moisture, so feeling unwell can sometimes be eased by drinking water. Vaping on an empty stomach, or simply being new to it and not yet used to the sensation, can also cause queasiness. Easing in gently, slowing down, staying hydrated and choosing a sensible strength usually resolve it. If you keep feeling sick despite these steps, speak to a GP or pharmacist.

Feeling sick after vaping usually means too much nicotine, from too high a strength or vaping too much too fast. Lower the strength, slow down, and stay hydrated; if it persists, see a GP.

Do and don’t

Do

• Try a lower nicotine strength if you feel sick
• Slow down and take breaks between puffs
• Drink water and avoid vaping on an empty stomach
• See a GP or pharmacist if it persists

Try not to

• Push through strong nausea or dizziness
• Chain vape or take hard, rapid puffs
• Use a strength that feels too strong
• Ignore symptoms that keep happening

Myths and facts

Myth	The reality
Feeling sick means vaping is dangerous for you	It usually means too much nicotine or vaping too fast, which you can adjust.
A higher strength is always better	Too high a strength is a common cause of feeling sick; pick one that suits you.
Nausea is nothing to do with how you vape	Vaping too much or too fast is a common cause; slowing down helps.
You just have to put up with it	Lowering strength, slowing down and hydrating usually resolve it.

Frequently asked questions

Why do I feel sick after vaping?

Most often because of too much nicotine, either a strength that is too high or vaping too much too quickly; dehydration and being new can also contribute.

How do I stop feeling sick?

Try a lower nicotine strength, vape less and more slowly, stay hydrated, and avoid vaping on an empty stomach.

Can the nicotine strength be too high?

Yes, too high a strength is a common cause of nausea, dizziness or headache; switching to a lower strength usually helps.

Is feeling sick dangerous?

It is usually a sign to cut back; if symptoms are severe or persistent, stop and speak to a GP or pharmacist.

Does vaping cause dehydration?

It can be drying, so staying hydrated by drinking water can help with feeling unwell.

The bottom line

Feeling sick after vaping is most often a sign of too much nicotine, either because your strength is too high or because you are vaping too much or too quickly, with symptoms like nausea, dizziness or headache. Dehydration, vaping on an empty stomach, or simply being new to it can also play a part. The usual fixes are to drop to a lower strength, slow down and take breaks, stay hydrated, and ease in gently. If you keep feeling sick despite these steps, speak to a GP or pharmacist.

More help and related reading

If this guide raised other questions, the Help and Guidance library has plain English answers to many more. The closely related pages below are worth a look, and you can always return to the main hub to browse every topic we cover. If you are unsure about a product or rule, our team and the official guidance are the best places to check.

• Is 20mg of nicotine a lot?
• How to vape
• How to inhale a vape
• Browse the full Help and Guidance library

Key things to remember

• Most often a sign of too much nicotine
• Too high a strength or vaping too fast
• Dehydration can contribute
• Being new to vaping can cause queasiness
• Lower strength, slow down, hydrate

Finding the right nicotine strength

Because too much nicotine is the usual culprit, finding the right strength matters. A strength that leaves you feeling queasy, dizzy or headachey is likely too high for you, and dropping down a level often solves it. On the other hand, too low a strength can leave you unsatisfied and vaping more to compensate, which can also make you feel unwell.

The aim is a strength that quietly manages your cravings without any unpleasant effects. If you are switching from heavy smoking you may need a higher strength at first, while lighter smokers often do well lower. Our team can help you find the right fit.

Matching strength to you

Sign	What it suggests
Queasy or dizzy	Strength may be too high
Headache after vaping	Possibly too much nicotine
Never satisfied	Strength may be too low
Vaping constantly	Try a more satisfying strength
Comfortable	You have it about right

A few more questions

Could it be the flavour or e liquid?

Occasionally a particular flavour or ingredient does not agree with someone; trying a different e liquid can help if strength is not the issue.

Do and don’t

Do

• Drop to a lower nicotine strength if queasy
• Take slow, gentle puffs with pauses
• Drink water and eat something first
• See a GP if symptoms persist

Try not to

• Keep vaping through nausea or dizziness
• Chain vape or take rapid, hard pulls
• Use a strength that feels too strong
• Vape heavily on an empty stomach

When to get it checked

Most of the time, feeling sick after vaping is mild and settles once you adjust your strength, slow down and hydrate. It is your body signalling that something is a little off, usually too much nicotine, rather than a sign of anything serious.

That said, if you keep feeling unwell despite making these changes, or if symptoms are severe, such as a pounding heart, persistent dizziness or vomiting, stop vaping and speak to a GP or pharmacist. It is always sensible to get persistent or worrying symptoms checked.

Mild versus persistent

Situation	What to do
Mild queasiness	Lower strength, slow down, hydrate
Settles quickly	Adjust and carry on
Keeps happening	Speak to a GP or pharmacist
Severe symptoms	Stop and seek advice
Worried	Get it checked

More questions answered

Can being new to vaping make me feel sick?

Yes, your body may take time to get used to it; ease in gently with a sensible strength and slower puffs.

Will lowering my strength help?

Usually yes, if too much nicotine is the cause, dropping to a lower strength often resolves the sick feeling.

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A quick word on safety and the law

Vaping and nicotine products are intended for adult smokers and existing vapers as a less harmful alternative to cigarettes. They contain nicotine unless stated otherwise, which is addictive, and they are not suitable for non smokers, pregnant women or anyone under 18. By law you must be 18 or over to buy vaping products in the UK, and we age verify every order. If you want to stop using nicotine altogether, your local stop smoking service offers free, tailored support.

UK public health bodies advise that vaping is substantially less harmful than smoking, but it is not risk free, and if you do not smoke the advice is not to start.

This guide is general information, not personal medical advice. If you have specific health concerns, please speak to a GP or pharmacist.