Nicotine withdrawal headache: how long it lasts, what helps
Yes, sometimes. Smokefree.gov, NHS Inform and the National Cancer Institute list headaches as a withdrawal symptom; the NCI calls them less common, and a 2020 vaping trial found no significant rise in headache scores. Withdrawal starts within hours, peaks in the first 3 days and fades over 3 to 4 weeks. Water, regular meals, sleep and less caffeine help.
Does nicotine withdrawal cause headaches?
It can. Smokefree.gov, the National Cancer Institute’s quit site, lists headaches among the common symptoms of nicotine withdrawal, and NHS Inform says withdrawal “can also disrupt your sleep and may cause headaches”. The NCI’s withdrawal fact sheet ranks them among the “less common” symptoms.
The vaping trial that measured it found no significant rise. In the 2020 trial, 109 daily vapers were paid to go 6 days without their vape. Every standard withdrawal symptom rose, but headache, a control symptom the study expected not to change, did not: 0.19 to 0.33 on a 0 to 3 scale, too small to be statistically significant. So a withdrawal headache is plausible, not certain, and no health service describes where it sits or what it feels like.
When does it start and how long does it last?
No source times headaches separately, so use the withdrawal window. The NHS says withdrawal can start within a few hours, is strongest in the first 3 days and lasts 3 to 4 weeks on average, and the NCI says it usually eases over the first month (smokers’ figures; the CDC says quitting vaping is likely similar). A single headache is shorter: the NHS says headaches “can last 30 minutes, several hours, or sometimes several days”. See a GP (a UK term for a family doctor) if one is not getting better with self-care or you regularly get headaches. The vaping withdrawal symptoms page covers the other symptoms and the quitting vaping timeline the day-by-day view.
Why does caffeine matter when you quit?
The CDC tells people who quit to cut back on coffee, tea and other caffeinated drinks, and gives the reason: “When you quit smoking, caffeine lasts longer in your body.” Your usual amount hits harder, so the CDC also says none in the late afternoon or evening. That line was written for smokers. If you only ever vaped, the NCI still says to reduce caffeine by limiting or avoiding coffee, soda and tea.
What helps a nicotine withdrawal headache?
Start with the NHS list for any headache: drink plenty of water, rest, try to relax, and take paracetamol (acetaminophen in the US) or ibuprofen as directed on the label, or ask a pharmacist. Do not lean on painkillers every day: taking too many is on the NHS list of headache causes, with skipping meals and not drinking enough fluids. The NHS also says not to sleep more than usual, which can make a headache worse.
Headache causes when you quit vaping
| Cause | Typical pattern | What helps | Source basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nicotine withdrawal | On the withdrawal lists (“less common”, NCI); inside the window: starts within hours, worst in the first 3 days, fades over 3 to 4 weeks; no significant rise in the 2020 vaping trial | Water, regular meals, usual sleep hours, less caffeine; pain relief as directed on the label | Smokefree.gov, NHS Inform, NCI, NHS, Hughes 2020 |
| Caffeine hitting harder | “When you quit smoking, caffeine lasts longer in your body”; your usual intake hits harder | Cut back; none in the late afternoon or evening | CDC, NCI, smokefree.gov |
| Vaping itself | A common vaping side effect and short-term effect; tended to fade with continued use | Advice from a stop smoking adviser; small changes to your product or how you vape | NHS, Health Canada, Cochrane |
| Dry mouth and throat | A common vaping side effect; not drinking enough fluids is a common headache cause | Drink plenty of water | NHS |
| Something else | Sudden and extremely painful; very high temperature or stiff neck; after a head injury; weakness, confusion, speech or vision problems | Call 999 in the UK, 911 in the US, or your local emergency number | NHS |
Can vaping itself cause headaches?
Yes, and rule it out first. The NHS lists headaches among the common side effects of vaping, with coughing and dry mouth and throat; Health Canada lists headache among the most common short-term effects reported by people who vape; and the Cochrane review of e-cigarettes found these effects tended to fade with continued use. A headache that came while you were vaping as much as ever is not withdrawal. The NHS says to get advice from a stop smoking adviser, and that small changes to your vape products or how you vape should help.
When is a headache not withdrawal?
Nicotine withdrawal is uncomfortable, not harmful, and the NHS says most headaches “go away on their own and are not a sign of something more serious”. Some are. The NHS says to “call 999 or go to A&E” (in the US, call 911; anywhere else, your local emergency number) if a headache “started suddenly and is extremely painful”, comes with “a very high temperature, a stiff neck, or bright lights are bothering you”, follows a “head injury within the last 3 months”, or comes with “numbness or weakness in the body or face” or being “drowsy or confused”; its list also covers fits, loss of vision, trouble speaking or walking and a rash that does not fade under a glass. None of these is on any withdrawal list.
Where are you in the window?
Puff Counter shows the time since your last puff, so you can see whether a headache landed 6 hours or 6 days after your last nicotine, and your daily count shows whether you stopped or only cut down. Both are free. A headache outside that window is a reason to read the section above.
Count your own puffs
Puff Counter logs each puff in one tap and shows your daily pattern. See the timer. Free on iPhone and Android.
Questions people also ask
Does nicotine withdrawal cause headaches?
It can. Smokefree.gov lists headaches among the common symptoms of nicotine withdrawal, NHS Inform says withdrawal may cause headaches, and the National Cancer Institute calls them a less common symptom. In a 2020 trial of daily vapers going 6 days without their vape, headache scores did not rise significantly, so not everyone gets one.
How long do nicotine withdrawal headaches last?
No health service times them separately. Withdrawal starts within a few hours, is strongest in the first 3 days and lasts 3 to 4 weeks on average, and the NHS says a single headache lasts 30 minutes, several hours or sometimes several days. Expect them in the first few days, and see a GP if one is not getting better with self-care or keeps coming back.
Can vaping cause headaches?
Yes. The NHS lists headaches among the common side effects of vaping, next to coughing and dry mouth and throat, and Health Canada lists headache among the most common short-term effects reported by people who vape. In the Cochrane review of e-cigarettes, these effects tended to fade with continued use.
Why do I get a headache when I quit vaping?
Three sourced reasons. Headaches are on the nicotine withdrawal lists at smokefree.gov, NHS Inform and the NCI. The CDC says caffeine lasts longer in your body once you quit smoking, so your usual coffee hits harder. And not drinking enough fluids, skipping meals and stress are on the NHS list of common headache causes, so check those too.
What helps with nicotine withdrawal headaches?
The NHS self-care list for any headache: drink plenty of water, rest, try to relax, and take paracetamol (acetaminophen in the US) or ibuprofen as directed on the label or as a pharmacist advises. Add the quitting-specific steps: cut back on caffeine and have none late in the day, eat regular meals and keep your usual sleep hours.
Sources
- Smokefree.gov (National Cancer Institute): Nicotine withdrawal and vaping
- Smokefree.gov (National Cancer Institute): Managing nicotine withdrawal
- NHS Inform: Vaping addiction soon takes hold (nicotine withdrawal symptoms)
- National Cancer Institute: Tips for coping with nicotine withdrawal and triggers
- NHS Better Health: Managing nicotine withdrawal symptoms
- NHS: Headaches (self-care and when to get medical help)
- NHS Better Health: Vaping to quit smoking (vaping side effects)
- CDC: 7 common withdrawal symptoms and what you can do about them
- CDC: Vaping and quitting
- Health Canada: Risks of vaping
- Cochrane: Can electronic cigarettes help people stop smoking, and do they have any unwanted effects when used for this purpose?
- Hughes JR et al. (2020), Withdrawal symptoms from e-cigarette abstinence among former smokers, Nicotine and Tobacco Research (PMC7171279)
Related
This page is general information about vaping and nicotine, not medical advice. If you are worried about your health or want help quitting, talk to a doctor or a stop-smoking service.