Jessica Tyson
11/07/2025 • 5 min read
In a world where stress and anxiety are increasingly common, with over a third of women and nearly a third of men in the UK reporting high levels of anxiety, it’s no surprise that many people turn to various habits and coping mechanisms to manage their mental health. For some, that includes vaping, often with the belief that nicotine can help them feel calmer or more focused.
But does vaping actually help with anxiety, or is that just a perception? In this article, we’ll explore how nicotine affects mood, what science says about its relationship with anxiety, and why some users report stress relief while others experience the opposite.
Nicotine is a stimulant found naturally in tobacco and used in a wide range of nicotine products, including e-liquids for vaping. Once inhaled or absorbed, nicotine rapidly enters the bloodstream and reaches the brain, where it binds to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors - specific sites that are part of our natural reward system.
This triggers the release of several crucial neurotransmitters, most notably dopamine, which is associated with pleasure and reward. It also increases levels of norepinephrine and serotonin, neurotransmitters linked to alertness, mood regulation, and stress response. These chemical changes can result in temporary feelings of calm, focus, or mild euphoria.
However, nicotine’s effects are inherently short-lived. The brain quickly adapts to nicotine's presence, and as its levels begin to drop, the body starts to experience withdrawal. This rapid decline can bring on a range of uncomfortable symptoms, including irritability, restlessness, difficulty concentrating, and increased anxiety. This cycle of temporary relief followed by withdrawal is a key mechanism behind nicotine dependence.
Anxiety is more than just feeling worried, it's a significant mental health challenge that can profoundly impact daily life. It often presents as a persistent state of tension, dread, or fear that interferes with a person's ability to function normally. While occasional worry is a natural human experience, clinically diagnosed anxiety disorders, such as Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD), panic disorder, and social anxiety, involve symptoms that are chronic and debilitating.
Fortunately, several evidence-based and effective approaches are commonly employed to manage anxiety symptoms. These include:
Despite these proven methods, some people still turn to substances like caffeine, alcohol, or nicotine to self-manage symptoms. This approach often occurs without medical guidance and can inadvertently create new challenges or worsen existing ones.
Scientific research presents a complex picture regarding nicotine's effects on anxiety, often appearing contradictory at first glance. On one hand, nicotine affects the brain’s chemistry by interacting with receptors that influence mood. It can stimulate the release of dopamine and serotonin - two key neurotransmitters involved in regulating how we feel. This biochemical activity may explain why some individuals report feeling calmer, more focused, or a temporary reduction in stress in the short term after using nicotine, especially if they are already feeling anxious or overwhelmed.
However, it's crucial to understand that this perceived calming effect is fleeting, and the long-term evidence tells a very different story. Despite these initial short-term effects, prolonged nicotine use is often linked to higher rates of anxiety and depression.
This apparent paradox is largely explained by the nicotine dependency cycle. Once the brain adapts to regular nicotine exposure, its absence (even brief periods, or the more prolonged nicotine absence overnight that leads to morning cravings) can trigger withdrawal symptoms that closely resemble anxiety, such as irritability, restlessness, and difficulty concentrating. What users often interpret as anxiety relief from vaping is, in fact, the temporary easing of these withdrawal symptoms. Nicotine isn't genuinely reducing anxiety; it's merely satisfying a craving its own presence created, only for the anxiety to return as nicotine levels drop. This is why people who are dependent on nicotine may struggle more with anxiety symptoms over time.
The good news is that quitting nicotine even after years of dependence can have a profoundly positive effect on mental wellbeing, and many people who successfully stop smoking often feel significantly less anxious in the long run, even if they used to think smoking helped them cope. This suggests that the act of smoking itself, and its associated dependency, was likely contributing to their anxiety all along, rather than truly relieving it.
For those looking to achieve this improved mental wellbeing by moving away from traditional smoking, transitioning to less harmful nicotine alternatives like vaping can be a significant step, especially when supported with expert advice.
Despite the science, anecdotal reports often paint a more nuanced picture. Many vapers claim that vaping helps them unwind, concentrate, or take the edge off during stressful moments.
Some reasons people turn to vaping include:
However, it's important to distinguish between the comfort of the ritual and the pharmacological effects of nicotine. Not all relief felt from vaping is due to the substance itself; sometimes, the action is what matters.
While vaping can serve as a vital tool for smoking cessation, it’s not without its own risks. Relying on nicotine as a primary coping mechanism for anxiety can introduce new challenges, such as:
Most mental health professionals are cautious about endorsing nicotine for anxiety management. While they acknowledge that some people may feel temporary relief, the long-term drawbacks (especially related to addiction) often outweigh the short-term benefits.
Healthcare providers generally recommend:
So, does vaping help with anxiety? The answer is nuanced. While some find temporary calm, especially when switching from smoking, nicotine can worsen anxiety over time as dependence builds. Scientific research suggests that any short-term relief is often outweighed by the longer-term effects nicotine has on mood regulation and stress response.
Ultimately, vaping shouldn't be viewed as a treatment for anxiety, but it can play a role in a broader journey toward better health, particularly for those moving away from cigarettes. If you're using nicotine and also struggling with anxiety, it's worth understanding both the potential benefits and limitations. While vaping might offer short-term comfort, longer-term emotional wellbeing is more likely to come from a combination of strategies, such as therapy, exercise, better sleep, and supportive routines.
If you're considering a switch or looking to reduce your nicotine use, having the right guidance can make a real difference. At FREESMO, we pride ourselves on helping people make informed, supported transitions, offering tailored advice and expert insights to make each step feel more manageable. If you're ready to take that step towards a smoke-free life with expert support, start your journey with us today.
