What is the nicotine buzz like?

If you have been researching or talking about nicotine products with others, the chances are you have heard the term “nicotine buzz” thrown around. But what is it? Learn about what it is, what it feels like, and why you feel the “buzz” from nicotine pouches and products. 

Firstly, What is a Nicotine “Buzz” and What Does a Nicotine “Buzz” feel like?

The terms nicotine “buzz” or nicotine rush are usually used to refer to the feeling people get when using nicotine products. They are often compared to the type of “buzz” you get from caffeinated products, such as coffee, or a sugar “high” you get from consuming too much sugar.

The “buzz” comes about from the interaction between the brain and nicotine. When the brain communicates with the rest of the body, it uses chemical messengers called neurotransmitters. Each neurotransmitter has a different role - each one reacts to a different signal and communicates between neurons and cells. 

When you use nicotine, it activates the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in your central nervous system and peripheral nervous system. These nervous systems make up the brain, spinal cord and nerves that span from them. The nicotine binds to the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and signals for the release of neurotransmitters. From this point, the exact effects of nicotine have not been uncovered. However, people connect nicotine with the release of acetylcholine (which can magnify cognitive abilities) and release of adrenaline (which creates the nicotine “buzz”). 

How Long Does a Nicotine “Buzz” Last?

A nicotine rush or “buzz” experience varies from user to user. It is down to how your body reacts to nicotine, which can be impacted by factors such as…

  • Age. The older you are, the longer it takes for your body to metabolize nicotine.
  • Hormones. Men usually are slower at metabolizing nicotine than women, especially compared to women who are pregnant or taking contraceptives.
  • Medication. If you are on medication, this can impact the speed you metabolize nicotine. Some medications, such as blood pressure medication, can slow it down whereas others speed the process up.
  • Nicotine Tolerance. The more you get used to the nicotine, the higher your tolerance to nicotine (meaning you are less likely to feel a “buzz”).

How to Get Rid of a Nicotine “Buzz”

If you are trying to get rid of a nicotine “buzz”, make sure you stop using the nicotine products immediately. From this point, the nicotine “rush” should begin to subside. If it does not after a period of time from your last use, seek medical attention. 

Does Synthetic Nicotine Give you a “Buzz”?

Nicotine pouches contain one of two forms of nicotine: synthetic nicotine or tobacco-derived nicotine (where the nicotine is extracted from the tobacco plant). 

It varies from person to person as to which type of nicotine gives you a “buzz”, and it is usually more strongly correlated with the strength of the pouch or product you use.

What is the nicotine buzz like?
If you have ever tried nicotine, you will be well acquainted with the buzz that you experience once it has absorbed into your bloodstream. However, if you are new to nicotine, you may be wondering what this high really is.

Why does nicotine give you a buzz?

Once your body absorbs nicotine into the blood, the adrenal glands will be stimulated – causing a rush of adrenaline to be released. This adrenaline then causes your blood pressure to rise, giving you an alert and buzzed feeling. This is the feeling commonly referred to as "fight or flight" – and it simply means that your senses have been heightened and you can feel the tension in your body release. Nicotine also stimulates the production of dopamine – the body's pleasure chemical. So it is easy to understand why users keep returning to nicotine on a daily basis.Of course, as you use nicotine over time, your tolerance will build and you will need more of it to achieve the same feeling.

How long does a nicotine buzz last?

Of course, the amount of time that a nicotine high lasts differs from person to person, but the most common is around 30 minutes. Thereafter, depending on how frequently you consume nicotine, you will start craving your next buzz within approximately four hours. Despite this, nicotine will stay in your blood for another one to three days, after which it will be excreted by the body.

If you want to end the nicotine head rush that you are experiencing, many users suggest drinking water. As nicotine dehydrates you somewhat, drinking water will replenish and refresh your body, and bring down the buzz. Eating something will also kickstart your metabolism and digestion, again decreasing the effects of nicotine. In other words, have a hearty meal if you feel a bit unsteady after consuming nicotine.

Of course, please ensure that you are not suffering from nicotine poisoning from ingesting too much nicotine. Symptoms of this include nausea and vomiting.

If you want to experience a less heady type of rush, you can opt for products that contain a lower nicotine content. The nicotine content will be listed on the packaging – it is all about trying different nicotine levels and finding out what suits your body the best.

Many people – mostly teens and young adults – have gotten into vaping or using e-cigarettes. Because they’re marketed as safer alternatives to smoking cigarettes, these small USB-like devices are being scooped up by the millions. Unfortunately, now people are hooked on vaping. But does vaping give you a buzz? What makes it so addictive?


Does Vaping Get You Buzzed?

Yes, vaping gets you buzzed, a feeling that’s also called a “nic buzz.” “What is a nic buzz?” you ask? Well, vape pens and e-cigarettes use cartridges that contain liquids made from different chemicals, including flavoring, and yes, nicotine. Vape pens contain nicotine, which is what produces the high or “buzzed” feeling that people may experience while vaping, especially new users. Vaping is also both addictive and damaging to the lungs because e-cigarette cartridges contain nicotine.

What’s more, people who vape inhale more nicotine than people who smoke cigarettes. However, this doesn’t make either of them safe. People can buy extra-strength cartridges or use a high voltage on the vape pen to get a harder “hit” or intensify the effects of what they’re smoking. When this happens, the person risks becoming addicted to nicotine and speeding up the physical repercussions.

Research also suggests that vaping or vape pens are gateway drugs because they prime the brain’s reward system, increasing your likelihood of using other drugs. In fact, the National Institute on Drug Abuse warns against vaping because nicotine addiction makes other drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine more pleasurable.1


What Does a Nicotine Buzz Feel Like?

A nic or vape buzz may cause lightheadedness in first-time users, a side effect that rarely occurs as use continues because the brain and body eventually begin to tolerate nicotine.

Common side effects of a nicotine buzz include:

  • Increased heart rate
  • Breathing problems
  • Rapid breathing
  • Decreased appetite
  • Elevated mood
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Nausea and/or vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Increased alertness

How Does Nicotine Work?

Nicotine works by stimulating your central nervous system to release certain hormones and neurotransmitters. When you vape or inhale nicotine, it enters the bloodstream and quickly reaches the brain. A nicotine buzz is caused by the release of a chemical called epinephrine (adrenaline), which increases your heart rate, increases your blood pressure, expands the air passages, dilates your pupils, alters your metabolism, and affects blood sugar levels.

Usually, your body releases adrenaline when your brain goes into fight-or-flight mode. If you’ve ever experienced this feeling, then you may recall breathing faster, and your heart was beating harder. This is what adrenaline does to you. Nicotine stimulates not only the release of adrenaline but also the release of dopamine. This is another chemical that nerve cells use to communicate signals associated with pain, pleasure, and reward.

Most addictive drugs, if not all, affect dopamine levels to produce euphoria and activate the reward system, which reinforces drug-taking behavior. Nicotine also activates the release of dopamine to produce a relaxing and pleasurable buzz.


How Long Does a Nic Buzz Last?

Once inhaled, nicotine can kick in within 10 seconds. A vape or nicotine buzz can last anywhere between 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the person’s tolerance. The longer someone uses nicotine or vapes, the more tolerant they are to its side effects, and the shorter-lasting the buzz becomes.

Although a vaping buzz may kick in pretty quickly, it can also fade just as quickly in long-time users. As with other drugs, people can develop a tolerance to nicotine the longer they use it. This means that they’d have to increase how much of it they smoke to experience the same buzz.

Also, because the high that vaping causes is short-lived, it encourages users to vape more in a short period. So, not only does vaping give you a buzz, but long-term use also increases your risk of developing nicotine addiction as well as potentially life-threatening respiratory and lung problems.


Get Help Today

As a Palm Springs, CA drug rehab, we have firsthand experience in treating all kinds of addictions. It’s also our specialists’ jobs to stay up-to-date with the latest drug news and trends, so we remain prepared to help anyone affected by drug or alcohol abuse.

While the buzz from Juul pens may seem pleasurable at first, vaping can lead to some serious consequences in the long run. What’s more, nicotine is also considered a gateway drug to other substances like cocaine and meth because of its stimulating side effects.


If you or someone you care about is struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, don’t wait to get help. Call Banyan Treatment Centers Palm Springs today at 888-280-4763 for more information about our California drug treatment programs.


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