If you’re experiencing a mild throbbing or severe migraine after you vape, these symptoms may classify as a vape headache. Ironically, both ex-smokers and freshers can end up in the same boat. Vape headaches don’t discriminate, so here’s a simple guide to help you steer clear of them.
Can Vaping Cause Headaches?
E-cigarettes were previously known as a healthier alternative to traditional cigarettes, but recent research has debunked this misconception. That explains why some users experience more negative side effects.
Vaping can induce headaches in some users. The severity of the headache and its duration can vary, but thankfully, every user isn’t susceptible to them.
These headaches are generally attributed to the nicotine contents in vape juices, but there are other contributors, too. Chemicals, additional substances, and the user’s health are all variables that come into play.
Why Do Some People Get a Headache When Vaping?
To understand the reasons for vape headaches, we need to look at how a vape works.
Inside the vape pen are coils that heat the e-liquid, commonly known as vape juice, to create vapor. Users inhale it, and their lungs become the pathway for Nicotine (if there’s nicotine content in the liquid) to go into their bloodstream.
One reason for your vape headache may be the Nicotine, which can trigger pain-sensitive nerves as you’re vaping. The higher the nicotine content, the more likely it is for other negative symptoms to occur as well, such as nausea, respiratory issues, and so on.
So, people who consume different forms of tobacco products or nicotine vape liquids end up with similar symptoms.
If you switch from smoking to vaping to escape nicotine headaches, you may have to opt for nicotine-free flavors. That is also helpful for those wanting to break their nicotine addiction. You can enjoy the fruity flavors and vapor without health concerns.
Plus, individual differences can increase or decrease the likelihood of vape headaches. Those who are sensitive to Nicotine, allergic to certain ingredients, or suffer from illnesses are more likely to experience minor or severe pains.
Important: You should consult a medical professional if you’ve experienced severe and prolonged bouts of vape headaches. There may be underlying causes that are being overlooked.
How To Get Rid of Vape Headache?
Have you been trying different hacks to get rid of your vape headache? If nothing seems to work, here are ten tips you can try.
Note: Everyone’s immune system is different, so something that works for you may not work for someone else, and vice versa.
Let’s look at some simple ways to relieve vape headaches effectively:
1. Opt for Reputable Brands
The vape market is saturated with brands, making it harder for users to find reliable products. Many users don’t realize the dangers of trusting random stores or purchasing cheap deals.
The bottom line is that you can’t trust any brand on the shelf. Due to the threat of allergens, harmful chemicals, and sketchy business practices (no safety tests or quality control, B-grade ingredients, no transparency, etc.), it’s best that you buy all of your vape products from reputable or tried-and-tested companies.
Switching to safer products may reduce the chances of experiencing headaches due to faulty or poor-quality products.
2. Stay Hydrated
One major factor for experiencing headaches in general is dehydration. It’s pretty likely that it may also be the culprit in the case of your vape headaches.
Vape juice is tasty, but it’s made of ingredients such as Nicotine, Vegetable Glycerin (VG), and Propylene Glycol (PG), which make you feel dehydrated. These are also known to irritate your airways during vaping, which may worsen the effects of dehydration.
So, focus on your water intake and incorporate fresh fruits, juices, and other hydrating beverages throughout your day. These will improve your vaping experience and overall health, so it’s a win-win situation.
Additionally, you might want to avoid drinking dehydrating liquids like alcohol or coffee when you’re vaping. If you’re consuming alcohol or coffee while vaping, ensure you drink lots of water, too.
3. Lower Your Nicotine Content Level
No matter its popularity or the prevalence of its use in all generations, while Nicotine has some benefits, it also has some downsides. Not only is it highly addictive, but it leads to respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses, among other side effects. These consequences also include the dreaded vape headaches.
Most users, especially those who start vaping without prior smoking experience, don’t understand what nicotine level to use in vapes. So, they end up going over the beginner-friendly percentage and experience discomfort vaping.
The safe nicotine level for beginners is less than 1% or 10mg, whereas routine smokers can go up to 2% or 20mg. You may find relief from your vape headaches by lowering the nicotine content you use.
4. Try Another Flavour
The most attractive quality of vape is its fresh and fruity flavors. Although it’s a great alternative to the pungent smell of traditional cigarettes, it may actually contribute to your headaches.
Different vape juices vary in their ingredients, intensity, and, thus, experience. You may be hooked on a signature flavor, but it may contribute to your headaches. You can switch to the same flavor from a different brand to compare the results.
Alternatively, some flavors may be too strong because of their taste or aroma. They could be overstimulating or overpowering to your senses, triggering your aches. If you switch to lighter flavors, you can lower the stimulation.
Alternatively, If you can’t taste the flavor in your vape, it may be a sign of something wrong with your device that might be causing you headaches, too.
5. Avoid Mixing Different Products
Playing scientist with your vape is a dangerous game. While putting all your favorite e-liquids and creating a personalized concoction is tempting, it’s also a potential safety hazard.
Each vape juice is created with similar foundational ingredients but contains other substances.
- The biggest difference is between:
- Nicotine
- Non-Nicotine
- Cannabis-Infused products.
These are three separate product categories and should be consumed separately.
If you’ve been mixing different liquids, intentionally or unintentionally, they may be the root of your vape headaches. Stick to a single liquid type in your vape pen/pod at a time, and finish it before adding a different one.
6. Check for Allergens
Allergies to ingredients are a lot more common than most people think. You can be allergic to a chemical or substance in your vape juice and not even realize it. That’s why your body’s response is an important sign to regulate what products you ingest.
If you’ve changed your e-liquid or have been experiencing vape headaches after starting a specific product, you may want to search for its ingredients. If you’re having other related symptoms, you can reach out to your physician and get to the bottom of it.
Once you’ve identified potential allergens, you can start sifting products based on their ingredient lists to keep yourself safe.
7. Clean Your Devices
Disposable vapes are popular among vape users, but they’re wasteful since refilling them is challenging. That’s why people opt for devices they can reuse for longer periods.
While vape devices seem sleek and high-tech, like any other product, they need maintenance. That may be for your coils, the tanks, the cotton you use, or other parts. Ensure you clean your vape at least once a month to keep it safe.
You may be experiencing vape headaches due to the state of your device, old residual vape liquid, burnt cotton, or other issues.
Here’s a detailed guide to cleaning your vape in depth.
8. Use a Cold Compress/Ice Pack
Some people may be prone to headaches regardless of the precautions they take. If you feel like changing your products or habits isn’t helping, you can focus on alleviating some pain.
Ice packs or cold compresses are effective in reducing the intensity or pain of different types of headaches. Ice packs are also easy to use; simply place them on your forehead or secure them at the back of your neck. Let them rest there as long as you need.
Plus, you can easily make a DIY ice pack at home or buy a cold compress from the store. If all else fails, use the handy pack of peas in your freezer. But be careful; never use ice cubes or other frozen objects on your skin without a cloth covering.
9. Take a Reasonable Amount of Medicine
Medication should be your last resort, but it’s an effective option. It’s recommended to use a limited amount and avoid taking them often.
Over-the-counter painkillers work well for vape headaches. They get the job done; however, frequent usage may cause dependency on them. You can try Panadol, Ibuprofen, or other simple options available. Anything that’s stronger than that warrants a trip to your physician.
A doctor can help you identify any underlying reasons for your vape headaches and advise you to deal with them accordingly. Painkillers aren’t a long-term solution either, as frequent long-term usage can lead to problems with high blood pressure.
10. Go on a Break
Sometimes, excessive vaping can lead to symptoms of illnesses. Since Nicotine is addictive, it’s hard for users to slow down, and they pay the price through raging headaches or migraines.
If you’re also guilty of this, it’s time to start taking a break. Try to space out your vaping sessions or reduce their frequency in your day. By following other recommendations and taking some time off of vape, you may be able to get rid of the headaches.
The best thing to do is to create a balanced approach to vaping to reduce its negative impacts and keep the headaches at bay.
Final Thoughts
Vape headaches can be a real annoyance, but the good news is you can find a fix for them. There are some simple adjustments you can make in your vaping routine and a couple of tips and tricks you can experiment with. Try out these suggestions and see what works well for your body!
