Have you ever felt a yawn creep up after puffing on your vape? You’re not alone—some vapers swear their clouds come with a side of sleepiness. But does vaping really zap your energy, or is something else at play? There is no perfect answer. While vaping itself does not make you tired, some factors and habits may indeed cause these effects. Let’s dig into the haze and sort it out.
The Nicotine Paradox
Most vape juice packs nicotine, a stimulant that should jolt you awake. It does this by spiking your heart rate and perking up your brain as coffee does. The problem comes when nicotine levels start to go down.
Unfortunately, that buzz fades fast, and overuse can leave you drained, like downing coffee and then slumping. This makes you feel low on energy and tired. The effect is pronounced when you adjust to higher nicotine levels, especially if you are a beginner.
Nicotine intake is addictive. So, you may find yourself craving more, which may exacerbate the tired feeling. So, try to start vaping on low nicotine levels and take long breaks between vape sessions. Your body will adjust over time and lower the effect.
Sleep Deprivation
If you do not get enough REM sleep (the deep, restorative kind), you tend to get groggy even after a full night of sleep. Over time, you feel tired and your thoughts clouded. Unfortunately, nicotine in the vape can have this effect on your sleep.
For those who take late puffs, nicotine lingers in your system way into deep sleep. You get less-than-satisfied sleep and wake up in the morning feeling tired. Consider vaping at least 2.5 hours before sleep. The body will have removed half of it from your system before you get into deep sleep.
Base Oils may Dehydrate Your Body
Vape juices come with propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin as base oils. These two may suck up moisture, especially in your mouth. Leaving you feeling dry and lethargic. Frequent vaping may also dehydrate your body if you do not take enough water. You may experience headaches, dry mouth, and feeling lazy, all of which contribute to tiredness.
Additionally, if you are vaping with a beer on the side, dehydration may be pronounced. This is the reason why most people feel tired after an evening of vaping and beer.
Breathing and Oxygen Depletion
Extended, forceful inhalations while vaping may induce feelings of dizziness or fatigue. This is not due to any inherent properties of the vaping process but rather from a temporary reduction in oxygen intake. Prolonging the retention of vapor in the lungs can inadvertently limit the frequency of normal respiration, akin to a brief suspension of adequate air supply. This effect stems from the manner of inhalation rather than the vaping apparatus itself.
If you have such experiences, consider having shorter, more measured puffs that could mitigate this sensation. They ensure a consistent oxygen flow and sustain alertness throughout the vaping experience.
Allergic Reactions and Sensitivities
You might feel tired if you’re allergic or sensitive to vape juice ingredients like propylene glycol (PG) or certain flavorings. These can trigger mild irritation, inflammation, or breathing discomfort, quietly draining your energy over time. It’s not a given for everyone, but if you vape often and don’t realize you’re intolerant, you could face ongoing lethargy. This will cause you to feel tired for days on end. If you are getting started in vaping, it is good to start with a balanced VG/PG ratio and introduce flavorings gradually.
How to Deal with Vaping-Related Tiredness
You may deal with fatigue by adopting practices that counter the cause of your fatigue. Here is an overview of some options that you may consider.
- If getting started with vaping, try low-nic or zero-nic salts. It helps you dodge the low-energy experience that comes when nicotine levels in the blood go down.
- Stop vaping until late. Give yourself about three hours for nicotine levels to go down. This way, it does not affect your REM sleep and cause you to wake up tired.
- If you have breathing issues when puffing, ease up on long, dramatic drags. Instead, stick to quick, light puffs to keep oxygen flowing and avoid that woozy, tired feeling from holding vapor too long.
- Keep a water bottle handy and sip regularly while vaping—aim for 8-10 ounces an hour—to counter the drying effects of propylene glycol and glycerin.
- Test a high-vegetable-glycerin (VG) juice before large-scale purchase and go for one with fewer flavorings if you suspect allergies.
- If you’re new or switching from cigars, push through the first week or two. Your body is adjusting to vaping’s nicotine shift, and tiredness should fade.
You can vape without feeling overly tired and energyless. Determine the cause of tiredness and use the tips above to remedy the situation. Happy vaping!