There are many changes and withdrawal symptoms to face when you stop smoking. It won’t be easy, but the positives will surely outweigh the negatives.
Your body will be going through a lot of changes. You’ll notice something new almost everyday.
Every moment, every sunrise, every sunset, and all the minutes in between will be brand new experiences for you.
The longer you go without smoking, the stronger and more in-tune with yourself you’ll become. You’ll be moving forward in life, and you’ll be feeling fantastic while doing it.
Mouth watering – Since smoking is an oral fixation, your mouth will be creating a ton of saliva after you quit.
So you might be swallowing a lot of spit during the first 3 weeks of physical withdrawal.
Expect some stomach aches because of that.
I developed a nasty habit of spitting. I couldn’t help it. But it is something that goes away over time once the side effects of quitting subside.
Glossy eyes – To others, you’ll look like you just had laser eye surgery. This is just nicotine withdrawal coming back at you.
Expect some moments of dry eyes or bloodshot eyes. It’s nothing serious, but it is rather annoying. Eye drops will cure the redness.
Try to rest more often than usual as your eyes are in a sensitive state when you first quit.
Dizzy – You might lose your balance a few times in that first week or so. The first day is always the worst, but it can last up to 5 days in some people.
It lasted that long for me.
It comes and goes in waves just like a sine curve. One moment you’re fine, and then next you’re having a dizzy spell.
Again, try to rest as much as possible the first few days as those are the worst anyways.
Unusual high energy boost – You’ll experience this quite frequently a few days afterwards. You might even think to yourself, “I feel utterly fantastic!”
It’s true, you WILL feel that way!
What’s happening is that the REAL YOU is shining through. Before, it was subdued by addiction.
Plus it’s your body’s way of telling you that it’s healing.
This more than likely will occur every day for a few weeks after you get through the hard parts during the beginning of your quit.
Once the worst part is over with, then the real fun begins. Everyday you’ll jump out of bed and anxious to take on the day.
Whiter teeth – Since you won’t be inhaling anything, the yellow shade of your teeth will eventually lighten.
It may not go away completely, but you’ll definitely notice the difference once you quit.
Your dentist will be the one who truly notices. They are the ones who see the back of your teeth.
If you haven’t gone to the dentist in years, and you’re a smoker, the backs of your teeth are a dark brown color.
My dentist stopped what he was doing and allowed me to see a clean tooth against a dirty tooth. It was disgusting.
The backs of my teeth were literally almost black from smoking.
Better singing voice – It makes sense that when you’re inhaling 20+ cigarettes everyday (or more), your singing voice will not be very good.
Once you stop smoking, your lungs will clear out, the capacity itself will increase, and you’ll be able to hit those notes like you used to do.
Do you like to sing?
You’ll be amazed at how quickly your voice will return when you give up that nasty habit.
Waking up earlier – Now who knows what your sleeping pattern was like when you were a smoker, but I’m sure it wasn’t very consistent.
You’ll sleep so much better, and you’ll wake up earlier REFRESHED!
I love mornings now, it’s my favorite part of the day. As a smoker, I hit the snooze button numerous times until I absolutely had to get up.
Not anymore.
Now I’m up with plenty of time to get ready for my day.
I just instantly wake up when the sun rises, and I’m totally OK with that.
Stomach pains – It goes through cycles, yes, but they can be pretty painful. Sometimes you just want to curl up in a little ball and cry.
You just have to remember that it’s only the addiction and it’s nothing else. You aren’t really getting sick, it’s just your body’s way of telling you it craves cigarettes.
The pain DOES go away, so there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
Drink some water, and eat some healthy foods. Treat your body well and your body will thank you for it.
Of course there are 100’s of good things that happen to you once you stop. This is just a small list, and not conclusive at all.
It’s really amazing how great you can actually feel on a day-to-day basis if you put your mind to it.
Every new day brings new experiences, and after the withdrawal is over with, all of them are good.
Everyday you’ll feel like a winner! You’ll never want to go back to your old lifestyle ever again.
Since I packed in my tongue has got a white layer on it and I seem to have cracks in my tongue and always seem to have to much saliva ♂️
Same here i m almost on 30th day, lots of saliva in mouth, spitting every minute. Don’t know what to do as due to pandemic can’t go to doctor as well.
Is it normal to want to drink alot of cold water after quitting smoking cigarettes
Yes 100%. Excessive thirst is a side effect overall. Nicotine dehydrates you and as a smoker you grow used to operating at a lower level of hydration. Nicotine can cause other cravings as well such as soda or alcohol and during withdrawal those cravings can become more intense and in turn can result in excessive H20 consumption. It’s partially your mind REPLACING the habit as well. Eventually things balance out and dry up. Keep in mind water is important to flush out all the nicotine and chemical inflammatory responses your body endures during withdrawal. Try not to replace the habit. What I’ve learned from quitting twice now is if you replace the habit too soon. All it will take is one stressful event and no access to the replacement habit to cause a relapse. Do not create your OWN trigger.
I quit smoking 2 weeks ago and feel sick to my stomach and having a hard time swallowing foods bc it feels like my body has anxiety. No fever and been to the doctor results on everything came back negative so whats wrong is this normal. I started smoking at 12 and smoked 1-2 packs a day im 29 yrs old now. I quit cold turkey.
I decided to quit Tomorrow. I just had my last cigarette and ran water over the rest. I purchased 21 mg nicotine patch’s. I’ve been smoking since I was 14 I’m now 39. I’ve tried to go cold turkey but that didn’t last long at all. Can anyone let me know if 21 mg is too high for me? I suffer from anxiety and I don’t want to have an attack or over dose myself on nicotine. I usually smoke almost a pack a day. Will my body detox with the patches? Or will I just be searching for a drag? Is it better to cold turkey or use patches? I know it’s a lot of questions but if anyone could answer them I would so appreciate it.
I have been smoking for some years now and i’m quitting, i feel saliva all my mouth, so i want to ask a question, what happens t the heart when quitting, because i can’t sleep and also my heart beat too
I have been smoking for some years now and i feel saliva all my mouth, so i want to ask a question, what happens t the heart when quitting, because i can’t sleep and also my heart beat too
I m just on day 3 but still feeling fresh. Few good things have happened I feel like my appetite has increased.Previously I didn’t feel like eating. Always had a dry mouth but now feel ok. Had craving on first day but not now. On that day I had no idea what to do and to keep myself motivated I searched about positive effects of quitting on google and read this article…thanks man
I AM 66 YRS OLD AND SMOKED FOR THE PAST 40+ PLUS YRS. FOR A LOT OF DIFFERENT REASONS I CHOSE TO QUIT SMOKING ON OCTOBER 15, 2018. TODAY I HAVE BEEN SMOKE FREE FOR 5 DAYS. HAVE PATCHES OF 7MG I USE AFTER 11AM TIL ABOUT 6PM SEEMS TO HELP. SLEEPING BETTER. LOOKING FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO GETTING MY LIFE BACK.
I wonder how are you doing?
Im on day 34 smoke free, I used the patches for maybe a week and a half and been cold turkey since. Feeling pretty damn good. I ended up on this site cause I was looking to see if having extra saliva was normal. Its ridiculously a lot the last week maybe and started to concern me. The thing I liked best that you said here was waking up early feeling refreshed. Mornings were awful for me before but Id drag myself up just to go smoke. Now im up at 4am and I get so much done and feel fantastic. I smoked for 13 years, quit for 6 and been smoking again for about 4 yrs. this second time around was bad, 30 + smokes a day. But im not goin back. Im pretty stressed some days and iv gained a few lbs but all worth it IMO. Weve all got this, stay strong friends 🙂
I have gone cold turkey since 4 days. Now I feel like something is stuck in my throat and I’m facing problems in swallowing. Also my tongue has bright red spots on the boundaries. I this normal and body’s way of healing ? Or should I go to a doctor to get it checked ?
it could be your body’s way of healing. Everyone is different. If it begins to impede your daily life in a drastic way, then yes, go to a doctor. If it’s just annoying, then no, don’t go.
Hi! I’m on day 3. I have smoked for the last 16 years and today I noticed that everything seems super bright and I’m super tired!! Today was hard day. My anxiety got the best of me and I’m a emotional wreck. Is this normal?
Yes you are on nicotine withdrawal you are gonna get better in few days
Hello Matt…please help me regarding my problem refer to my last comment..
Well it could be, I don’t know. I know that smoking paralyzes the cilia in your throat, making you more susceptible to colds and illnesses. Maybe it’s your body’s way of getting rid of all the toxins from smoking. Hopefully it goes away, but definitely stay away from smoking. That’s not the answer in any way, shape or form.
Matt..Thank you very much! Thanks for the reply….it’s just because m confused myself because it’s not exactly like a cankers sore…
Hi Matt…It’s been 7 weeks of quitting but to be honest had few puffs in between but that’s been 5 weeks ago..after that not a single puff so u can call Cold turkey…I been smoker from last 16 yrs…a pack a day….
But after quitting it’s been unrest in my mouth even after 5 weeks.had small tiny micro white spots in mouth here n there.been to doctor and dentist they said its because of lack of vitamins..so on vitamin tablets but hasn’t change much..this tiny spots are not much painful and you can’t feel it with your fingers…same way had terrible pain in gums and teeth on and off…sometimes mouth and gums are on fire..all these things are on and off …..
I also had wisdom tooth pulled out before 7 weeks..so basically I choose to quit smoking same day as wisdom tooth extraction..so I’m confused these things are because of smoking give up??
Many thanks in advance..
I have really tried to stop smoking and its the hardest thing i have ever experienced. Can’t there be something like an injection that gets rid of all the nicotine
You had to work at becoming a smoker. You’ve gotta work at becoming a non-smoker now. You’re not giving anything up you’re gaining your independence from cigarettes and addiction. You can’t look at it as though you’re quitting you have to look at it as though you’re gaining something. I told myself for every pack of cigarettes I didn’t smoke I could put $10 in my mad money pocket. I’ve already bought six new pairs of shoes!
Have you tried Alan Carrs Easyway?
After smoking for 14 years i finally quit it. I have noticed change in my voice after 6th day and bit of body aches. Is it like my mind playing games with me like am i having a nicotine craving.
I’m on my 5th month of quitting smoking and now i have some problem with my salivation. Is it normal, does it really last for months?
Depends on how long you were a smoker, in my opinion. If you only smoked for a year and then quit, then I’d say it was something else that’s causing it, like dehydration or hunger. But if you smoked for 30 years, then perhaps it does have something to do with it. I still get weird feelings in my lungs, and I’ve been a non-smoker for almost 2 years now.
I quit a day ago and so far I am ok during waking hours. Well, I can handle it at least…. But trying to fall asleep at night is brutal. When I finally get drowsy and begin to drift off, my whole body jerks abruptly and I wake up with my heart pounding. And because I was drifting into a dream state it takes a few seconds to separate dreams from reality and come back to consciousness.. In fact I kind of have an out of body experience for a few seconds and I have to catch my breath. It is horrific and makes me afraid to fall asleep. It’s crazy because I’m dealing with it so well during the day so I;m good at the conscious part.. But the subconscious part is truly brutal. I’ve quit several times before but this time was by far the hardest. Never again do I want to go through this! I feel like a heroine addict!
Damn…im having all the same bad thing bro…so what did u do and how u feeling now
Any of you experience any skin issues after quitting? I’ve quite twice before but (stupidly) went back on the deathsticks again as I tend to break out in dry, itchy, red skin on my face. I’ve never had an issue with dry skin or acne or anything like that and it’s only once i give up smoking that I break out. Looks almost like a rash..I guess it’s part of the detox but with all the healthy eating, lack of cigarettes and the 2-3 liters of water a day. I would expect the skin to look better not WORSE!
I’m having the same issues it’s been 3 days for me from smoking for 10 years. Your skin breaking out is from anxiety rashes if I could bet on it. Check your triggers maybe
You might be drinking to much water, that can cause a skin reaction
Hi Matt, I’m finishing my 7th day. I feel great, but I just can’t stop coughing. Hope it gets better soon. Thanks for this page, it’s really helping me quit.
Hi! I quit smoking 1 week ago and it feels great!! Do you think that my teeth will get whiter in color ? I’m talking about the front side of the teeth, the side that people see, not the back side.
Your teeth most certainly will improve, both the whiteness and your gums. It’s a nice feeling going to the dentist and cleaning everything off and starting off fresh again and a non-smoker. Yes, quitting will make a difference.
Quit smoking about 3 weeks ago. I’ve had illness after illness… Strep throat.. Ear infection.. I feel a lot better now although the last 5 days I’ve been waking up with red goopy eyes. Wondering if I have another health issue or it’s just another side effect of quitting smoking
Getting sick after quitting smoking (or any drug for that matter) is very common and it happened to me also. It’s all a part of the healing process. Hopefully you realize how much you’ve damaged your immune system and never ever go back.
I’m on my 9th day and I’ve been coughing ever since I stopped. I feel sleepy most of the time. It feels like there always mucus in my nose. Saliva is being produced too much, and I have a hard time sleeping. I feel sick and it’s already been 9 days. Is this normal?
Extra saliva is very common and it happened to me. All that harmful smoke inhaled has damaged your throat and the overproduction is simply apart of the healing process. It goes away with time. It’s annoying, though. With regards to sleeping, it’s true you will have some restless nights, as that is also apart of the healing process. Being only the 9th day, your body is freaking out without nicotine. The coughing is your body’s way of trying to get rid of all the toxins in your lungs. Just keep going and things will get better very shortly.
yes, it’s normal. No need to worry, the same thing happened to me. can last a few days – clears up after that.
It’s been more than 2 months now, feeling good and happy as I quit smoking after 7 years. Would my gums get back to The original color? They are black now because of smoking. I wish my gums can be pink again.
Yes, your gums and everything should return to normal over time, but if they are indeed black as you say, I would get that checked out by a dentist. If you haven’t been to the dentist in a long time, your teeth are definitely black on the inside of your mouth. I would see what they have to say about it.
I’m on my 5th week, no more craving. I made it! I would drink lots of coffee and go to bed early.
5 weeks is amazing, but you will still run into a few triggers here and there. You aren’t 100% finished yet. Just be aware. But coffee sure is a lifesaver, isn’t it?
I am on day 9. I am feeling pretty good. Good advice to lacey, I went to bed between 7 and 8 for the first few nights. It helped a lot to sleep though it.
It’s been 24 hours since I had a cigarette. Everything smells weird. My mouth is extra watery and I feel sick. What can I do get over the wanting of a cigarette?
You are going through what everyone else goes through. The membranes in your nose are returning to normal. That’s why everything smells weird. They aren’t being paralyzed by smoke. Same with your throat, and that’s why your mouth is watering. It’s all your body’s reaction from withdrawing from all the nasty chemicals in cigarettes you’ve been inhaling for who knows how long.
Honestly, either eat something, DOESN’T matter what, or just go to bed asap. The sooner you jump into bed and call it a day, the sooner Day 2 arrives and you’ve made it. Keep it up!
I’m on Day 8 of not smoking and the biggest problem I’m having is this spit attac. It’s like it’s a rain strom in my MOUTH. When will it stop I carry a cup with me everywhere I go and it’s so embarrassing.
Yea it’s pretty gross. It’s caused by the membranes of your throat healing themselves and returning back to normal. Will last a couple weeks and then it’ll be history.