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Why Does Vaping Sometimes Cause Dizziness?
Health Guides
Dizziness from vaping is common, particularly in new vapers, and almost always traces back to one of three identifiable causes. Here is how to work out which one applies to you and what to do about it.
Nicotine
Most Common Single Cause, Too Much Too Quickly
Dehydration
Second Most Common, PG-Induced Fluid Deficit
Technique
Deep Breathing Pattern Also Causes Dizziness in Some Vapers
The causes
Why Does Vaping Sometimes Cause Dizziness?
Three distinct causes, each with a specific fix
Nicotine excess, dehydration and breathing pattern account for almost all cases
Vaping causes dizziness through three main routes: too much nicotine producing a mild vasoconstrictive and stimulant reaction, dehydration from propylene glycol reducing blood volume slightly, and in some cases an altered breathing pattern where deeper-than-usual draws temporarily change the oxygen-to-carbon-dioxide balance in the blood. New vapers are most susceptible to all three because they are calibrating nicotine dose, technique and liquid format simultaneously.
The three causes
Breaking Down Each Cause
Too Much Nicotine Too Quickly
Nicotine in excess produces dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, pallor and a raised heart rate, the signs of mild nicotine toxicity. This is the most frequent cause of vaping-related dizziness and is most common in new vapers using 20mg nicotine salt devices who vape more frequently than their previous cigarette habit. The fix is stepping down to a lower concentration, 10mg or below, or reducing frequency. Symptoms from nicotine excess resolve within twenty to thirty minutes of stopping use.
PG Dehydration and Postural Dizziness
Propylene glycol draws moisture from body tissues, creating chronic mild dehydration in vapers who do not compensate with increased water intake. Dehydration reduces circulating blood volume slightly, which can cause a drop in blood pressure when standing, producing the lightheaded feeling familiar to anyone who has stood up too quickly. Dehydration dizziness builds through the day rather than occurring acutely after a single session and improves quickly with water. If your dizziness is worse in the afternoon and resolves after drinking a large glass of water, dehydration is almost certainly the cause.
Altered CO2 Balance From Deep Draws
Some vapers, particularly those learning sub-ohm or direct-to-lung inhalation, take deeper, longer draws than they are accustomed to. This temporarily lowers CO2 levels in the blood, causing mild cerebral vasoconstriction and the resulting light-headed sensation similar to mild hyperventilation. This dizziness is brief, resolves within a minute or two of returning to normal breathing, and is resolved by shortening and softening draws.
01
Dizziness with nausea shortly after vaping
Nicotine excess. Step down to 10mg or reduce frequency.
02
Lightheadedness when standing, worse in the afternoon
Dehydration. Increase daily water intake significantly.
03
Brief dizziness on deep draws, clears in under a minute
Breathing pattern. Shorten and soften your draws.
Touch of Vape Coventry
Come Into Our Coventry Store: We Will Identify the Cause
Bring your device and liquid. We resolve this in most cases within a short conversation.
To find our Coventry store, visit our Vape Shop Coventry page.
From our Health guide
Part of our Health guide
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Dizziness From Vaping? Our Coventry Team Will Sort It.
Most causes are resolved in a single visit.