Why Some People Feel Worse After Switching to Vaping
A clear UK guide to why some people feel worse after switching to vaping, why it is usually temporary and how to settle it.
The short answer
Usually temporary. Feeling worse after switching is most often a short adjustment.
Common cause
Often not quite enough nicotine, so cravings creep in.
The key
It is not a reason to go back to smoking.
Why some people feel worse after switching to vaping
Some people feel a bit worse for a while after switching, though there is usually a clear reason. It is most often a temporary adjustment, with the most common cause being not quite enough nicotine, so mild withdrawal creeps in even while you vape. It tends to settle within days to a few weeks.
It helps to know this is common and usually passes. Your body and brain are adjusting to a new way of getting nicotine and to life without cigarette smoke, which takes a little time. This page explains the common reasons, why it is usually temporary and the important point that it is not a reason to return to smoking.
Let us look at the reasons, why it passes and how to settle it.
It is worth saying first that this is common and does not mean you have done anything wrong. Plenty of people hit a rough patch in the first week or two, then come out the other side feeling well. Knowing what is behind it makes it much easier to ride out.
The common reasons
A few things can leave you feeling off at first. The most common is too little nicotine, which brings cravings, irritability or low mood, while new side effects like a dry mouth or a clearing cough, plus losing the cigarette ritual, can all play a part, especially in the first couple of weeks.
- Not enough nicotine: too low a strength leaves you in mild withdrawal.
- Adjustment effects: dry mouth, mild dizziness or queasiness while adapting.
- A clearing cough: the lungs waking up can bring a temporary cough.
- Losing the ritual: the habit of a cigarette can be missed for a while.
Withdrawal is the thread through much of this. A vape can deliver nicotine more slowly than a cigarette, so if the strength is too low it is easy to sit in mild withdrawal, which feels like cravings, restlessness and a dip in mood, the very things people often blame on the switch itself.
This is why getting the strength right matters so much. If you set the nicotine too low because it feels safer, you can end up uncomfortable and at risk of slipping back to cigarettes. A strength that genuinely matches what you were getting from smoking usually takes the edge off these symptoms.
Why people feel worse at first
Illustrative weighting, not exact data.
Why it is usually temporary
The good news is that most of this passes. As your body adjusts to getting nicotine from a vape and to being free of cigarette smoke, the rough patch usually eases within days to a few weeks, while many people then feel better than they did as smokers.
Some of what feels worse is the body recovering rather than struggling. A clearing cough, for instance, is the lungs waking up after smoke had suppressed them. Mood dips and cravings tend to be your brain recalibrating to a steadier nicotine pattern. None of this means the switch is going wrong, while getting the nicotine strength right often smooths the whole thing out.
It can help to remember why you switched in the first place. The discomfort is short term, whereas the harm from smoking is not, so the rough patch is a small cost on the way to a much better place. Holding on to that can make the adjustment feel more manageable.
Strength not quite right?
Our nicotine salts come in a range of strengths, including 0mg, so you can find what suits you. Browse the range or ask our team.
How to settle it, plus the key point
A few steps usually make the difference. Getting the nicotine strength right, often a suitable nic salt rather than too low a strength, using the vape enough to manage cravings and giving it a little time all help, along with staying hydrated and being kind to yourself through the adjustment.
The most important point is this. Feeling worse for a while is not a reason to go back to smoking, since cigarettes are far more harmful, while the NHS advice is to only reduce or stop nicotine once you are confident you will stay smokefree. A stop smoking service can support you through the rough patch. If low mood or anxiety is severe or lasts beyond the adjustment, please speak to your GP, as that deserves proper support.
- Get the strength right: too low is a common cause, so a suitable nic salt helps.
- Use it enough: the NHS suggests vaping as much as you need to stay off smoking.
- Give it time: the adjustment usually eases within days to a few weeks.
- Reach out: a stop smoking service or GP can support you through it.
If you want to dig deeper, see our explainer on switching from smoking to vaping. It pairs well with our guide on why vaping makes you cough and our look at whether vaping is better than smoking.
For the full set of guides, the vaping and health hub brings everything together in one place.
The bottom line: feeling worse after switching to vaping is usually a temporary adjustment, most often from not getting quite enough nicotine, so mild withdrawal creeps in. A clearing cough and missing the ritual can add to it. It generally eases within days to a few weeks. Getting the strength right helps, plus it is not a reason to return to smoking. See a GP if low mood lasts.
Finding your strength?
Our nicotine salts come in a range of strengths, including 0mg, with fast UK delivery, so you can find what suits you. A stop smoking service can also support you through the switch.
Frequently asked questions
Why do some people feel worse after switching to vaping?
It is usually a temporary adjustment. The most common cause is not getting quite enough nicotine, so mild withdrawal creeps in even while you vape, bringing cravings, irritability or low mood. New side effects like a dry mouth or a clearing cough, plus missing the cigarette ritual, can add to it. It tends to settle within days to a few weeks.
How long does feeling worse after switching last?
For most people it eases within days to a few weeks as the body adjusts to getting nicotine from a vape and to being free of cigarette smoke. Cravings and mood dips tend to settle as your brain recalibrates. If symptoms are severe or last well beyond this, it is worth speaking to a GP or a stop smoking service.
Does feeling worse mean I should go back to smoking?
No. Feeling worse for a while is not a reason to return to smoking, since cigarettes are far more harmful. The usual cause is an adjustment that passes, often helped by getting the nicotine strength right. The NHS advice is to only reduce or stop nicotine once you are confident you will stay smokefree.
Could my vape strength be too low?
Quite possibly. A vape can deliver nicotine more slowly than a cigarette, so too low a strength leaves you in mild withdrawal, which feels like cravings, restlessness and a dip in mood. Many people who feel worse after switching find that a suitable nic salt at the right strength settles things, while still moving them off cigarettes.
When should I get help after switching?
If you have tried getting the strength right and giving it time but still feel rough, a stop smoking service can help, since they are used to supporting people through this. If low mood, anxiety or other symptoms are severe or last beyond the usual adjustment, please speak to your GP, as that deserves proper support.
