Addiction Nicotine Use Nicotine Withdrawal Causes of Nicotine Withdrawal Dizziness By Terry Martin Terry Martin Facebook Twitter Terry Martin quit smoking after 26 years and is now an advocate for those seeking freedom from nicotine addiction. Learn about our editorial process Updated on January 19, 2020 Medically reviewed Verywell Mind articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and mental healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Sanja Jelic, MD Medically reviewed by Sanja Jelic, MD Sanja Jelic, MD, is board-certified in sleep medicine, critical care medicine, pulmonary disease, and internal medicine. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print Alain Daussin/The Image Bank/Getty Images Some people report feeling dizzy or lightheaded when they quit smoking. There are a few things that can contribute to these symptoms, and some may be related to nicotine withdrawal. You should discuss any ongoing dizziness with your doctor as it could be a sign of an underlying condition rather than being related to your smoking cessation. Quit Aids and Dizziness Some quit aids may cause dizziness for users. The nicotine patch, a form of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) that looks like a tan or clear bandage, lists dizziness as a common side effect. However, all NRTs contain nicotine, and a nicotine overdose can cause dizziness. If you're using nicotine replacement therapy to help you stop smoking, it is important that you follow the manufacturer's directions for use carefully. Be sure to match the initial dosage level to how much you were smoking. You don't want to take in more nicotine than you were used to getting as a smoker. Also, be sure to wean off of NRTs in the time suggested, as there is a risk of dependence. Zyban (bupropion), a non-nicotine quit aid, has a side effect of dizziness for some people. Zyban was originally marketed and prescribed under the name Wellbutrin as an anti-depressant. Then it was discovered that smokers using it lost interest in smoking. Chantix (varenicline) is a non-nicotine quit aid specifically developed for smoking cessation. It can also cause dizzy feelings for those using it. If you experience prolonged or severe dizziness while using any quit aid, consult your doctor. Nicotine as a Stimulant Nicotine is a stimulant, meaning it speeds up some of the body's functions. When you smoke, nicotine is absorbed into the bloodstream through the lining of the lungs. It reaches the brain within seven to 10 seconds. Once there, it causes a chemical reaction that releases adrenaline, the "fight or flight" hormone. Adrenaline speeds the heart up, constricts blood vessels, and raises blood pressure. Additionally, carbon monoxide from cigarette smoke reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood. Both factors work to diminish blood flow (and oxygen) to the brain. When you stop smoking, nicotine is no longer triggering adrenaline to constrict blood flow. In the absence of inhaled carbon monoxide, there is more oxygen in the blood. Some people believe this could cause dizziness for the newly ex-smoker. However, there have been no conclusive studies that show this to be the case. How Nicotine Affects the Body Nicotine and Blood Sugar In addition to the stimulant effects, nicotine also slows the release of insulin from the pancreas. Insulin is a hormone that removes excess sugar from the blood. It is instrumental in helping the body keep blood sugar in balance. This imbalance leaves smokers slightly hyperglycemic, with more sugar in their blood than they should have. Hunger is a symptom of nicotine withdrawal and of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Moderate hypoglycemia can produce feelings of dizziness. Research has not shown a direct correlation between nicotine and low blood sugar when quitting tobacco. Coping Tips Eat regular meals to minimize the risk of low blood sugar. Eat a piece of fruit or drink a small glass of fruit juice to quickly raise blood sugar if you feel shaky or light-headed. Avoid eating processed sugar, which can trigger smoking urges and contribute to unwanted weight gain. Anxiety Smoking cessation is stressful for most new ex-smokers. It's a big change to your habits. You may be at a loss with how to deal with emotions, good or bad, without the crutch of your smokes. This can cause an uncomfortable level of anxiety, which in turn can trigger physical responses including dizziness. If you experience cessation-related anxiety when you stop smoking, try using deep breathing or meditation to calm your mind and body. These anxious feelings will fade away as you become more comfortable as a non-smoker. Dehydration A lot of people tend to not drink enough water, and suffer from dehydration occasionally. Dehydration can cause serious dizziness, so make sure you're getting enough fluids on a daily basis. Drinking a tall glass of water is also a great craving-buster, and good hydration helps you feel better overall. Important Safety Precaution When you're feeling lightheaded, use care when getting up from a lying or sitting position. Rather than jumping up, sit and stand up slowly to let your body adjust to the change of blood pressure that happens naturally when you change positions. A Word From Verywell Nicotine withdrawal, while intense, is a temporary phase of smoking cessation. It is important to remember that and to understand that it can involve a multitude of physical symptoms, not to mention some that affect your mental state as well. Be patient and remember that better days are ahead once you clear the toxins out and your body goes back to functioning as it is meant to. Common Symptoms of Nicotine Withdrawal 8 Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Jiloha RC. Pharmacotherapy of smoking cessation. Indian J Psychiatry. 2014;56(1):87-95. doi:10.4103/0019-5545.124726 Shiffman S. Persistent use of nicotine replacement therapy: An analysis of actual purchase patterns in a population based sample. Tobacco Control. 2003;12(3):310-316. doi:10.1136/tc.12.3.310 Boshier A, Wilton LV, Shakir SA. Evaluation of the safety of bupropion (Zyban) for smoking cessation from experience gained in general practice use in England in 2000. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 2003;59(10):767-73. doi:10.1007/s00228-003-0693-0 Swan GE, Javitz HS, Jack LM, et al. Varenicline for smoking cessation: Nausea severity and variation in nicotinic receptor genes. Pharmacogenomics J. 2012;12(4):349-58. doi:10.1038/tpj.2011.19 Domino EF, Ni L, Xu Y, Koeppe RA, Guthrie S, Zubieta JK. Regional cerebral blood flow and plasma nicotine after smoking tobacco cigarettes. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2004;28(2):319-27. doi:10.1016/j.pnpbp.2003.10.011 Bornemisza P, Suciu I. Effect of cigarette smoking on the blood glucose level in normals and diabetics. Med Interne. 1980;18(4):353-6. Honaker JA. Anxious... and off balance. ASHA Leader. 2018;23(7):54-61. doi:10.1044/leader.FTR2.23072018.54 Riebl SK, Davy BM. The hydration equation: Update on water balance and cognitive performance. ACSMs Health Fit J. 2013;17(6):21-28. doi:10.1249/FIT.0b013e3182a9570f Additional Reading National Cancer Institute. Harms of smoking and health benefits of quitting. Updated December 19, 2017. National Institute on Drug Abuse. Cigarettes and other tobacco products. Updated January 2020. By Terry Martin Terry Martin quit smoking after 26 years and is now an advocate for those seeking freedom from nicotine addiction. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit Get Treatment for Addiction Advertiser Disclosure × The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Verywell Mind receives compensation.