why does vaping make me feel sick
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Why Does Vaping Make Me Feel Sick?
Usually too much nicotine, from too high a strength or vaping too fast. Lower the strength, slow down and stay hydrated; see a GP if it persists.
If vaping leaves you feeling sick, queasy, dizzy or headachey, it usually points to something simple you can adjust. The most common reason is too much nicotine, often a strength that is too high or vaping too much too quickly, though dehydration and being new to vaping play a part too. This guide explains, alongside our guide on why you might feel sick after vaping.
Quick answer
Vaping most often makes people feel sick because of too much nicotine, either a strength that is too high or vaping too much too quickly. Dehydration, an empty stomach, or simply being new to vaping can also contribute. The usual fixes are a lower nicotine strength, slower and less frequent vaping, and staying hydrated. If it keeps happening, see a GP or pharmacist.
The usual cause: too much nicotine
The most common reason vaping makes you feel sick is taking in too much nicotine. That can happen if your strength is too high for you, or if you vape too often or too hard. Nausea, dizziness, a headache or a racing heart are typical signs of too much nicotine, and they usually ease once you cut back or switch to a lower strength that still manages your cravings.
Why vaping makes you 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 |
| Empty stomach | Eat something first |
| New to vaping | Ease in gently |
Other causes and what helps
Beyond nicotine, vaping can be a little drying, so feeling unwell can sometimes be eased by drinking water. Vaping on an empty stomach, or being new and not yet used to the sensation, can also cause queasiness. Slowing down, staying hydrated, eating beforehand and choosing a sensible strength usually resolve it. If you keep feeling sick despite these steps, speak to a GP or pharmacist.
Vaping usually makes people feel sick from too much nicotine, too high a strength or vaping 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 an empty stomach
- See a GP if symptoms persist
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 has 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 does vaping make me feel sick?
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; a lower strength usually helps.
Is it 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 dehydrate you?
It can be drying, so staying hydrated by drinking water can help with feeling unwell.
The bottom line
Vaping most often makes people feel sick because of too much nicotine, either because the strength is too high or because you are vaping too much or too quickly, with symptoms like nausea, dizziness or headache. Dehydration, an empty stomach, or simply being new to vaping can also contribute. 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 your device or situation, our team is always happy to help.
- Why do I feel sick after vaping?
- Is 20mg of nicotine a lot?
- Why does vaping make me cough?
- 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 and empty stomach can contribute
- Being new to vaping can cause queasiness
- Lower strength, slow down, hydrate
Getting your nicotine strength right
Because too much nicotine is the usual cause, the nicotine strength is the first thing to look at. If vaping leaves you queasy, dizzy or headachey, your strength is probably too high, and dropping a level often solves it. Too low a strength, by contrast, can leave you unsatisfied and vaping more to compensate, which can also make you feel unwell.
The aim is a strength that quietly manages cravings with no unpleasant effects. Heavier smokers switching over may need a higher strength at first, while lighter smokers often do well lower. Our team can help you find the right level.
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 the e liquid disagree with me?
Occasionally a particular flavour or ingredient does not suit 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 while vaping is mild and settles once you adjust your strength, slow down and hydrate. It is your body signalling that something is slightly off, usually too much nicotine, rather than anything serious.
If you keep feeling unwell despite these changes, or 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 adjust; ease in gently with a sensible strength and slower puffs.
Is feeling sick different from coughing?
Yes, coughing is usually about technique or throat irritation, while feeling sick is more often too much nicotine.
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.
Need a hand?
Browse our full library of plain English vaping guides, or get in touch with the team if you have a question we have not answered yet.