I Quit Smoking Why Do I Feel Worse?

Congratulations.

You kicked a seriously nasty habit, and for that, we applaud you. 

Life is about to become a whole lot better. Having finally quit smoking, you are on the verge of becoming naturally healthier with an all-around greater spring in your step. 

The chances of becoming seriously sick from the several thousand chemicals you have been inhaling daily have now been drastically reduced. 

But there is a problem. As you begin to shed your skin and transition from smoker to ex-smoker, you somehow feel worse, and that is really disappointing. You expected to feel instantly healthier, but instead, you feel run down, wheezy, and slightly foggy.

It all seems a little unfair and a touch anti-climatic, doesn’t it. 

Don’t be disappointed. There are several good reasons why you feel unwell, and those reasons are collectively very positive. This is a good thing, although it might not feel that way at the moment.

Maybe we should explain.

The Aftermath

Formaldehyde. Acrolein. Cyanide. Arsenic. Ammonia. 

There are some pretty scary-sounding chemicals right there, you will agree. 

In most cases, we would do everything possible to avoid those substances in normal day-to-day life. But here’s the thing: every puff of cigarette smoke you inhale contains those exact chemicals and more. Thousands more, actually.

It’s hard to believe you have been indulging in something quite so ominous, isn’t it? But indeed, you have. As long as you were smoking, you were filling your lungs with a broad range of sinister chemicals usually associated with a secret agent’s ‘enemy disposal’ kit.

Biological Transformation

Your body obviously did not appreciate ingesting these chemicals, but it assumed they were something you could not avoid, and so it slowly adapted to function with them. Physiologically, your body sort of rewired itself to accommodate them. 

By stopping smoking, you are immediately removing those substances from your system. 

The thing is, the human body doesn’t always react kindly to sudden, drastic chemical transformations, and undergoes several physiological changes as it adjusts to the sudden absence of them. 

This adjustment period causes various physical symptoms, all of which form part of a withdrawal process – an experience that you are now deep in the throes of. In short – and in the most basic of terms – that is why you feel so rotten.

But there is one substance in particular that exacerbates your withdrawal from cigarettes. That substance, as you might have guessed, is nicotine.

Nicotine Addiction

In addition to the aforementioned substances, your body has also become addicted to the nicotine that is contained in cigarette smoke. While nicotine is not as harmful as many of those other chemicals, it is the most addictive.

And so, by quitting cigarettes, you are also withdrawing from nicotine.

You might not have experienced withdrawal from anything before (or maybe you have), but either way, it can be a deeply uncomfortable thing. In comparison to withdrawal from narcotics, nicotine is a walk in the park, but it is still quite tough, and while you are going through it you might not feel at your most spiffing.

But what happens, exactly, during the process of nicotine withdrawal? And why does it happen in the first place? Let’s take a look.

Nicotine Withdrawal

When you quit smoking, one of the most pressing and testing hurdles you will face is nicotine withdrawal, primarily because nicotine triggers dopamine, and so regular smoking leads to a reliance on nicotine for the feel-good effects it provides. 

Essentially, a cycle of dependence is established quite early on. 

Upon quitting smoking, your body – which is now habituated to a constant supply of nicotine – experiences a range of withdrawal symptoms. These include intense cravings for nicotine, awful mood swings with irritability and anxiety, and general brain fog, making it difficult to focus and even remember things. 

You will probably also deal with physical discomforts like headaches and increased appetite, which can obviously lead to weight gain. Becoming chained to the fridge and pantry cupboard during nicotine withdrawal has almost become a meme in its own right, while everyone knows an ex-smoker who suddenly shot up in weight.

Adjustment Period

Again, these symptoms are a good thing. Much in the same way that your body will hurt after your first few gym sessions, they show that you are adjusting to a nicotine-free existence. 

You will be familiar with the saying, “It has to get worse before it gets better”? Well, nicotine withdrawal is probably one of the best examples of that old adage.

It does vary from person to person, typically peaking within the first week and gradually tapering off over a month, and it will likely be the slowest month you have ever experienced. 

During this time, your brain is rewiring itself to function without nicotine, slowly reducing the severity of withdrawal symptoms. 

But what are those symptoms, exactly? 

Withdrawal Symptoms

Quitting smoking triggers an avalanche of physical and psychological responses as the body adjusts to the absence of nicotine – and they all tend to hit at the same time. 

Here are some of the most likely candidates that you might encounter as you transition from hardcore smoker to a fully-fledged, healthier, and proud ex-smoker:

• Coughing: An increase in coughing and phlegm production as your lungs start to clear out residual toxins. 
• Cold Symptoms: Feelings on a par with a cold or flu, including sore throat, nasal congestion, and general fatigue.
• Mood Swings: Increased irritability, moodiness, and potential feelings of frustration due to nicotine withdrawal.
• Appetite Increase: A notable rise in hunger and cravings, often leading to weight gain.
• Concentration Difficulty: Challenges in maintaining focus and memory lapses as the brain adapts to the absence of nicotine.
• Anxiety and Depression: Emotional disturbances such as anxiety or depressive episodes due to changes in brain chemistry.
• Cravings: Strong and frequent urges to smoke, testing one’s resolve to stay smoke-free.
• Headaches: Periodic headaches as a common physical response to nicotine withdrawal.

Remember, these symptoms are temporary and will reduce over time until they vanish entirely.

But how much time are we talking about here?

Withdrawal Timeline

This following is by no means precise, as we all handle withdrawal differently, and it depends on how much you were smoking and for how long, of course. That said, we can give you an approximate timeline.

• First 24 Hours: Nicotine levels drop to near zero, leading to initial withdrawal symptoms, including intense cravings. This is the most brutal stage of nicotine withdrawal for most people. 
• 2 to 3 Days: Your sense of taste and smell improves, and breathing becomes easier as lung function starts to recover. Still pretty tough.
• First Week: Peak withdrawal symptoms, including mood swings, irritability, and cravings. It’s not getting any easier…
• 2 to 4 Weeks: Many physical symptoms like coughing and shortness of breath diminish; energy levels start to rise. You start to see a light at the end of the tunnel. 
• 1 to 3 Months: Circulation and lung function continue to improve, making physical activities easier. Smoking is almost a distant memory – although it still gets under your skin from time to time.
• 9 Months: Your lungs have significantly healed, reducing the risk of infections. You rarely think about smoking now. 
• 1 Year: The risk of heart disease drops to half that of a smoker, and you are now one healthy little ex-smoker. The habit is just a distant memory now. Well done.

Coping Strategies For Nicotine Withdrawal

Make no mistake about it (and at the risk of stating the obvious), quitting smoking is extremely tough. The psychological aspects alone will push you to the very edge, and that’s before you even consider the physical symptoms we just described.

Fortunately, there are things you can do to improve the situation, and while the following tips, tricks, and coping suggestions, such as cigarette alternatives, will certainly not negate nicotine withdrawal, they will help you deal with them.

1. Stay Active: Engage in regular exercise to reduce stress and improve mood. The power of exercise should never be overlooked. It helps immensely.
2. Avoid Triggers: Steer clear of situations or routines that previously involved smoking. Avoiding alcohol, for example, is a good idea when quitting smoking. 
3. Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to flush out toxins and keep the body hydrated.
4. Seek Support: Join support groups or talk to friends and family for emotional support. Seriously. You would be surprised how effective support groups are.
5. Practice Relaxation Techniques: Techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga can help manage stress and cravings.
6. Find Substitutes: Try nicotine alternatives such as gum and smoking patches. Smoking tea as a cigarette alternative is also a powerful option.
7. Healthy Eating: Go for balanced meals to maintain energy and avoid weight gain. Compulsive snacking is a seriously slippery slope. You have done well to reduce your chances of heart disease by quitting smoking – don’t replace it with an equally as dangerous habit. 
8. Reward Progress: Celebrate those milestones! It will help you to stay motivated during the quitting journey – a good pat on the back once in a while never hurt anyone. 

There Is Another Way

Quitting smoking may be one of the best moves you ever made, but it isn’t easy. Aside from the cravings, the withdrawal process will compound the situation by making you feel quite unwell.

Be patient because this is nothing more than a temporary setback. Within a few weeks, you will feel back to your old self again, and within 12 months, you will never look back.

But what if there was a much better solution?

Our popular tea-based, smokeless NEAFS nicotine sticks offer the comfort of smoking without harmful smoke, ash, or tar. NEAFS ensures you maintain your nicotine intake without the severe impact on your body experienced during withdrawal.

Ready to leave nicotine behind? Over time, you can transition from our nicotine sticks to our nicotine-free versions, allowing you to replicate the smoking experience and help you manage the hand-to-mouth habit without the actual nicotine. 

By heating our ingenious tea-based blend, you can greatly reduce the harmful substances contained in traditional cigarettes.

And in terms of taste, when it comes to smoking tea vs tobacco, tea wins every time!

Choose an easier way to become smoke-free with NEAFS today!