Ever smoked a cigar and felt a buzz? Don’t worry, no one spiked your cigar – it is from the nicotine in the cigar. It doesn’t get you high but some people do feel a rush when they light one up.
How is this possible and how does it work? Let us break down in simple terms what that cigar buzz is all about.
Do You Get a Nicotine Buzz from Cigars?
If smoked in a certain way, it is more than likely that you get a nicotine buzz from smoking cigars. Nicotine, the same addicting chemical you find in cigarettes, is present in much larger volumes in cigars.
So what is this fabled nicotine head rush?
Nicotine is a chemical found in certain nightshade plants, most famously in tobacco plants. When ingested, it acts as a stimulant which is the buzz people speak about.
In simple terms, nicotine causes the messages that go between your body and your brain to move faster. It causes the release of certain pleasure chemicals such as dopamine and noradrenaline.
This can feel energizing to some but it can also cause dizziness, tingling sensations, nausea and other negative side effects. The negative side effects are more likely when ingested in excessive amounts.
What an excessive amount is depends on your personal tolerance for nicotine. For example, someone that never smokes can get the cigar buzz from just one inhalation of a mild cigar while someone that smokes regularly is unaffected.
How Long Does a Buzz from a Cigar Last?
This also depends on the person – this time on the body’s ability to break down chemicals.
Research has shown that the average half life of nicotine is 2 hours so in theory, the effects should be completely worn off after 4 hours.
Do Cigars Get You High?
Let’s make a distinction between getting high and feeling a buzz. Colloquially, they may seem the same thing but a ‘cigar high’ is not the same as getting high off weed.
When smoking cigarettes and cigars, the buzz comes from nicotine which has much milder effects compared to the THC found in weed. Nonetheless, nicotine is highly addictive.
Since nicotine intake releases pleasure chemicals, the body starts to crave it. However, like with most chemical addictions, the body needs greater and greater quantities to reach the same feeling.
This is why someone may go from smoking just 3 cigarettes per day to a whole pack. Similarly, this is why someone that would only smoke mild cigars graduates to larger and more full-bodied types. Your body is chasing the nicotine rush.
What Does the Nicotine Buzz from Cigars Depend On?
Whether you want to watch addictive tendencies or don’t enjoy the nicotine rush, it is useful to know what makes the buzz more likely. Let’s summarize the 3 main factors when smoking cigars.
- Smoke Speed
The faster you smoke a cigar, the faster nicotine enters your bloodstream. Pacing yourself when smoking a cigar not only makes it more enjoyable but it also reduces the chance of a dizzying buzz.
- Nicotine Tolerance
The more you smoke, the more accustomed your body becomes to nicotine. Don’t start with the big boys, start with smaller, thinner and milder cigars to avoid an overload of nicotine.
- Smoke Inhalation
You already know that you shouldn’t inhale cigar smoke and now you have another reason not to. Although you will still ingest some nicotine regardless, not inhaling does reduce the levels slightly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Cuban Cigars Get You High?
Cuban cigars do not get you high. This is a myth. However, you may feel a nicotine buzz when smoking Cuban cigars that are stronger.
Do Cigarettes Give You a Buzz?
The buzz some people experience from smoking cigars comes from nicotine. Nicotine is a chemical found in tobacco that acts as a stimulant.
Do You Get a Rush from Cigars?
Because of their high nicotine content, smoking cigars can cause a rushing sensation. This is also part of the reason why cigars should be smoked slowly.
The next time you feel jittery or light-headed while smoking a cigar, you know it is because of the nicotine. Slow down, stay calm and try a milder cigar next time.