We often talk about the origin of cigar tobaccos, how to enjoy a cigar fully, and the most exciting cigars competing for space in our humidors. Less discussed but equally important is the phenomenon of nicotine sickness that can occur from time to time - even to cigar veterans. This article aims to shed light on nicotine sickness, its symptoms, causes, and effective treatment methods.

What is Nicotine Sickness?

Studies have shown that nicotine can cause a short-term spike in blood sugar levels followed by a sharp decline. When absorbed in large quantities, nicotine overstimulates the central nervous system and quickly diminishes blood glucose levels, leading to the symptoms associated with nicotine sickness. This is more common in cigar smoking due to the higher concentrations of nicotine in cigars compared to cigarettes and the longer duration of smoking.

It’s important to note that various tobacco users with high tolerances are all subject to nicotine sickness when switching mediums. Cigars and cigarettes both have different delivery mechanisms and affect us differently. Cigar smoke is alkaline and absorbed through the mucus glands in the mouth (cigars shouldn’t be inhaled) whereas cigarette smoke is acidic and absorbed primarily through the lungs. A crude example of how a cigarette smoker might experience nicotine sickness with cigars would be how beer might wreck their world if they’re a heavy whiskey drinker and vice versa. 

Nicotine Sickness Symptoms

The symptoms of nicotine sickness can range from mild to severe and typically come on fairly quickly. Early signs include nausea, increased salivation, or excessive sweating. As nicotine exposure increases, symptoms can escalate to include headaches, dizziness, tremors, increased heart rate, and vomiting.

Note: Alcohol and caffeine, often paired with cigars, should be discontinued immediately if you feel like you might be getting sick from nicotine. These two beverages can make the effects more severe, and often mask the symptoms early on.

Treating Nicotine Sickness

If you’re feeling sick from your cigar, the first step is to stop smoking immediately and sip some water. The next step is to eat or drink sugary substances: juice, chocolate, hard candies, sodas. 

Nicotine stimulates the release of various hormones which can lead to a rapid depletion of glucose in the bloodstream, mimicking a low blood sugar response in the body. Consuming sugar during or after smoking a cigar can quickly restore blood glucose to normal levels, thereby alleviating a lot of these symptoms.

If your symptoms continue to worsen, please seek medical attention.

Preventive Measures

The most effective ways to protect yourself against nicotine sickness are to: 

1. Eat a meal before enjoying a cigar
2. Stay hydrated (proper hydration takes 24 hours)
3. Know your limits by selecting a cigar(s) within your tolerance level
4. Have sugar on-hand to combat the effects if you begin to feel nicotine sick and need to call it a day

Many cigar enthusiasts have a much higher tolerance after years of enjoying cigars, but there’s still a limit for each of us. More often than not, steps one and two are much more protective than any nicotine tolerance you can build.

If you have any personal experiences or more to share on the subject, please drop us a comment below!