Do you experience a skull-splitting headache every time you vape?
If your answer is yes, you’re among a growing crowd of people who experience vaper’s headache. But before you toss out your favorite vape pen or flush those e-juice cartridges, hang on.
Every problem has a solution, and vaping headaches are no different. You can drink lots of water to stay hydrated, avoid triggers like nicotine, or simply try a new flavor.
In this article, we’ll tackle what provokes vape headaches and what steps you can take to get rid of them. You will also learn how to prevent these menacing headaches when vaping.
Let’s begin!
Why Do Vape Cause Headaches?
When researching how to get rid of vape headaches, we came across lots of questions from new vapers. Those that stand out include:
- Does vaping cause headaches?
- Can vaping for the first time give me a headache?
- Can you get a headache from vaping too much?
The answer to these queries is a simple yes!
While vaping is advertised as a safe alternative to smoking, the truth it’s harmful.
Put it this way: You are inhaling foreign substances into your valuable lungs. There will be definitely some consequences.
Your body considers the vapor, chemical, and heavy doses of nicotine inhaled as foreign. In response, it triggers a migraine or pounding headache.
But the body’s natural reaction is not the only cause of vaping headaches. Below we’ve highlighted other culprits, including:
1. Nicotine Overdose
E-cigarettes and vape pens might not have the same chemicals as common tobacco products. However, they usually contain nicotine.
Since nicotine is a stimulant, it can affect the nervous system, causing several side effects, headaches included. Other potential effects include:
- Reduced appetite
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Increased alertness
- Dizziness
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
Similarly, in high doses, nicotine constricts blood vessels in your brain. The narrowing vessels reduce blood flow to the brain, causing migraine and sinus headache pain.
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2. Dehydration
Vaping itself is not responsible for dehydration, but the chemical composition of the vape pen is. Scientists think that Propylene glycol (PG) and Vegetable Glycerin (VG) cause dehydration.
These chemicals draw moisture from the nasal passage. That’s why most people complain about choking or dry mouth after some puffs. These are telltale signs of dehydration, which is a known trigger for headaches.
3. Irritation and Sensitivity
Vape pens also include flavoring, additives, and other chemicals. These ingredients can sometimes irritate your throat when vaping.
However, if the irritation persists or you have a strong reaction to these substances, it could be a sign of an allergic reaction.
Besides irritation, allergic reactions can present themselves as headaches or migraines.
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How to Get Rid of Vape Headaches?
With the causes of vaping headaches out of the way, it’s time to figure out how you can get rid of this problem.
Luckily, that’s what this section will address. Below, you will discover several tips on how to stop a nicotine headache.
1. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
As mentioned before, substances like vegetable glycerin and propylene glycol can cause dehydration.
When this happens, your chances of developing a headache increase significantly. Not to mention the dry mouth and throat caused by nicotine.
But the good news is you can combat this issue by chugging fluids before, during, and after a vaping session.
Drink an ample amount of water–around 2 cups (500ml) pre-vaping. Then keep hydrating between puffs and post-vaping. Your urine color is a great gauge for determining if you are hydrated enough. Aim for light yellow urine, not dark extremes.
In addition to water, you can drink spot beverages or electrolyte replenishers. However, keep away from alcohol and coffee because they have a dehydrating effect.
2. Get Enough Rest
Never underestimate the importance of a good nap.
If you feel your head hurting after vaping, find a cool, quiet space and close your eyes. Rest for around 20 to 60 minutes to allow your muscles to unwind and relax. Trust us! When you wake up, you will be feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
The good thing is this remedy also works for people dealing with fever, stomach upsets, and fatigue.
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3. Temperature Therapy
Another solution to vape headaches is applying a cold or warm compress to your head and neck region.
Cold from an ice pack can help constrict blood vessels, decreasing the blood going to the brain. It also numbs the nerves in the affected areas, reducing the sensation of pain.
On the other hand, heat from a heating pad or rice bag can increase blood flow to the affected area and help relax tense muscles to offer relief. The warmth also creates a soothing effect, which promotes relaxation.
4. Do Some Yoga
When vape headaches strike, yoga can help reduce the pain.
Exercises – more specifically aerobic exercises- increase the levels of endorphins in the body. In turn, these hormones help relieve pain and reduce stress.
Performing various yoga drills like breathing and meditation is an excellent way to alleviate your headache, reduce stress, and boost your overall quality of life.
5. Over the Counter Medications
Over-the-counter medications should be your last resort if all the above methods fail. When used regularly, OTC painkillers can increase your chances of high blood pressure.
That said, you can use medication like ibuprofen, Panadol, and anti-inflammatories to deal with your headache.
Remember, stick to the recommended dosage and avoid taking something too strong that can harm your body over time.
And if the headache is persistent and unbearable, it’s wise to see a doctor. Who knows? You might have an underlying condition responsible for the headaches.
6. Give Yourself a Timeout
Last but not least, schedule personal time out.
Vaping for an extended time can heighten your headaches, especially when pushing nicotine buzz. So, pause your nicotine intake for at least 48, once a month, to reduce body tolerance and other harmful health effects.
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What Does a Vaping Headache Feel Like?
The symptoms of vaping headaches usually vary from one individual to another. Most people say the headache is characterized by a dull pain. However, some people have reported relentless throbbing or pulsating pain on one side or across the entire head after vaping.
Alongside headaches, some people might experience other unpleasant symptoms, including:
- Increased anxiety
- Throat irritation
- Shortness of breath
- Insomnia
- Ragin cough
- Overall lightheadedness
How Long Do Vape Headaches Last?
There’s no definitive answer to this question.
In some people, the headache can last a few minutes after vaping. For others, it can last up to an hour or more.
Generally, the duration of vaping headaches varies depending on several factors, namely:
- A person’s sensitivity
- How long does someone respond to treatments for symptom management
- Specific cause
In most cases, mild vape headaches might disappear quickly. Severe headaches, on the other hand, might last for a few hours.
How To Vape Without Getting a Headache?
Sometimes, it’s better to prevent a condition than to treat it. The same goes for vape headaches.
There are a few steps you can take to decrease the likelihood of developing these headaches after vaping, including.
- Knowing Your Nicotine Threshold: Nicotine is arguably one of the major culprits behind vape-related headaches. Therefore, you should identify your nicotine ceiling before the headache kicks in. To do this, start by tracking your dosage amounts, puff counts, and resulting symptoms. Next, lower your nicotine levels gradually until you find the sweet spot.
- Stay Crazy Hydrated: Drink lots of fluids pre- and post-vaping to avoid dehydration, dry mouth, and other side effects.
- Use quality vape pens and accessories: If you use cheap, unlicensed, or black-market vape pens and e-liquids, expect some side effects like headaches and throat irritation. Usually, these products contain chemicals or impurities that can harm your health. So, opt for products from reputable manufacturers.
- Practice Mindful Techniques: Avoid deep, fast inhales, especially those going straight to the lungs. These puffs might heighten dehydration, leading to headaches. Instead, focus on mouth-to-lung techniques with slow, controlled draws. Hold the vapor for 3-5 seconds and exhale through the nose slowly.
- Swap vape juices: If you stick to one vaping flavor and ingredient all the time, you might develop new sensitives that can cause headaches. The best solution here is to mix it up. And there’s and bonus–the vaper’s tongue will disappear.
Bottom Line
That’s it for our article on how to get rid of vape headaches!
As discussed, vape headaches can be caused by irritation of nasal pathways, dehydration, or nicotine spikes. They can last for a few minutes or even hours depending on the individuals and other factors.
But all is not lost. By keeping hydrated, reducing nicotine doses, and getting some good rest, you can get rid of the headache. You can also use OTC medication, but avoid depending on them too much because of their side effects.
Another thing, focus on preventing headaches when vaping by adopting mindful practices. These could include drawing slow, controlled puffs and taking a break from vaping. Such minor changes can have a tremendous impact on your vaping experience and health.
However, if you have constant headaches or other bad symptoms before vaping, see a doctor right away for help.
Do you have any questions? Let us know the below.
