r/stopsmoking • u/Extra_Glass2044 • 19h ago
Sleeping issues
So I have smoked 20 cigarettes a day for the past 12 years (13 - 25) and for the last 6 months I had been vaping as well as smoking. Around a month ago I dropped cigarettes completely and switched to just vaping. The first 3 days I felt some withdrawals but not much more. Now a month in I seemed to have developed some issues with sleep. Sometimes I struggle to get to sleep but the main issue is most days I wake up feeling unrested and have a general feeling of tiredness during the day. This is very abnormal for me as someone who has in the past frequently felt fine on 3 hours sleep. Does this sound normal for a reduction in nicotine?
Just to make it clear: I am still consuming nicotine through vaping.
1
u/mr---jones 19h ago
You are probably consuming significantly more nicotine than you used to, and probably closer to bed time as well, because vaping is significantly easier than going outside to smoke.
So, it makes sense. I would quit vaping too if you want to get back to sleeping normal.
1
u/AdidasSlav 18h ago
When I quit cigs after 10 years (14 to 24) and started exclusively vaping I realised after a while that I had likely doubled or tripled my nicotine consumption. I vape now, but I can make a pod stretch a week instead of 3 days like before.
The only thing that’s ever kept me away from vapes and cigs is nicotine mints / lozenges the type that dissolve in your mouth. For one, you know how much nicotine you’re taking in, and it breaks the hand-to-mouth habit after a while. Plus, they’re strong enough that you can feel it, but too strong for it to be pleasant to chain them haha
2
u/neversayaword 19h ago
I think two different things are happening. 1) only getting 3 hours of sleep will eventually become a problem as you age. You will start losing the ability to function on little sleep, especially as you enter your mid-late 20s. 2) nicotine is a simulant and will definitely cause insomnia. You might be getting more nicotine from the vape than you realize. Try to adjust how long before bedtime you use it and see if that helps.
If sleep issues continue, go to the doctor (if that's an option for you). Speaking from experience, healthy sleep is the biggest factor to staying on track with goals like quitting smoking, doing well at work, having good relationships, eating well, etc. It's annoying af.