Does Vaping Make You Gain Weight? Let’s Talk About It

If you recently quit smoking and just started vaping—or if you're just considering vaping—you’ve probably come across a lot of mixed messages and opinions on the internet. One of the questions we get a lot—Does vaping cause weight gain?—is definitely something to think about. Weight gain is a bit of a tricky subject that people tend to attribute to quitting smoking and/or behavior changes.

In this blog, we are going to clarify what science says, give you some real-life experience, and then we will also talk about vaping in relation to weight. We're providing answers that make sense, no matter if you're using a device like the Al Fakher Crown Bar or a great-looking Hayati Pro Max.

First Things First: What Is Vaping, Really?

Vaping is simply inhaling vapor from an electronic device, typically called a vape pen, mod or pod system. The devices heat an e-liquid (or vape juice) that usually contains nicotine, flavorings, and a base of propylene glycol or vegetable glycerin.

You might recognize brands like:

• Hayati Pro Ultra

• Supreme Vapex

• Elux Cyberover

• SKE Crystal

Each offers a different vaping experience, but they all do the same basic thing and that is to deliver nicotine (or not) through flavored vapor.

Why People Associate vaping with Weight Gain

A lot of this association is based on what happens when someone quits smoking. Nicotine is an appetite suppressant, and when someone quits smoking cold turkey, they often eat more to satisfy their cravings—which could create more of a weight gain issue.

But wait...the whole point of vaping is that you still receive nicotine, especially if you're using e-liquids that contain nicotine. So even if you vape as a substitute to smoking, it should still suppress intrinsic hunger, correct?

Let's look closer.

Does nicotine suppress appetite?

Yes. Nicotine does suppress appetite. Nicotine acts on your brain's dopamine and serotonin pathways, which give you an alert feeling and inhibit hunger. A lot of smokers and vapers will say that they tend to not be hungry or that they don't tend to snack as much when they are actively smoking or vaping. 

That being said, being on a nicotine-based vaping product will minimize how much you overeat. That does not mean that vaping will be a means to lose weight (because it isn't), however, it would be difficult to argue that vaping would be a direct cause to gain weight.

The Psychological Aspect: Vaping as a Habit

Humans like routine. When people quit smoking, they often miss the "hand-to-mouth" action to be clunky about it. That's why many ex-smokers tend to snack more - they are replacing one habit for another.

Vaping can fit that behavioral void. Instead of getting a bag of chips, many people get a vape. For some, this helps avoid weight gain.

With that said, nicotine-free vapes or using sweet flavors all the time may cue snack cravings psychologically. If you're puffing a vape that is strawberry cheesecake flavored all day, your brain may just want a bite at some point.

Real People, Real Stories

Let’s hear from a few vapours: 

“The last time I quit smoking and switched to my Hayati Pro Max, I was terrified I would gain weight. But truthfully, I snack less. I think it’s the nicotine- and maybe the hand thing.” 

— Sarah, 29, London 

“I use Supeme Vapex in the evenings to stave off cravings. I have even lost a bit of weight since I switched to vape, instead of snacking.” 

 — James, 35, Birmingham 

“I vape the Elux Cyberover with no nicotine and sometimes I do find I am eating more. But it is manageable, particularly when I keep active.” 

 — Emma, 41, Manchester

How to Keep Your Weight Steady while Vaping

If you are concerned about keeping your weight stable while vaping, try these tips:

1. Be Conscious of Flavor Cues

If dessert flavor had you wanting to eat desserts, try changing up the flavor to a tobacco or mint vape.

2. Be Active

Even if you can only make it outside to be active for 20 minutes a day, exercise can help you shed pounds and relieve stress.

3. Drink More Water

Nicotine can have dehydrating effects, which can throw off your body's hunger signals, so it's good to stay hydrated.

4. Avoid Skipping Meals

Skipping meals often leads to very unhealthy binge eating later. If you can hold tight to at least a regular rhythms of meals with healthy meals, all the better!

5. Watch Your Nicotine Consumption

You may have higher nicotine to help suppress your appetite, but be careful, higher consumption might make you feel jittery as well. Finding your sweet spot is helpful!

Common Questions 

1. Does vaping boost your appetite?

If your vape contains nicotine, it usually decreases your appetite. Nicotine-free vaping may either have a neutral effect or cause a little more cravings in some people. 

2. Can vaping support weight loss?

Vaping is not a weight loss aid. While nicotine can reduce your hunger, it's not a healthy or sustainable way to manage weight. 

3. Why do you gain weight after quitting smoking?

Most typically eat more to replace the physical habit of smoking cigarettes. After quitting cigarettes, without nicotine, appetite and enjoyment of food returns to normal levels. 

4. Is there a health advantage of vaping over smoking in terms of weight?

Vaping with nicotine can help avoid weight gain some experience when they quit cigarettes, but best health choice is no nicotine. 

5. What is the best vape for me, if I am worried about weight gain? 

If appetite suppression is your goal, a vape that has controlled delivered nicotine delivery options like Hayati Pro Ultra or SKE Crystal and simple flavours to avoid sugar cravings.

A Note about Brands: Variety and Choice Matters

Whether you used the Al Fakher Crown Bar device, enjoyed the clouds from the Hayati Pro Max, or tried different devices like Supeme Vapex and Elux Cyberover, your experience can vary based on the device you use.

A lot of these quality brand devices range their nicotine strengths between 0%-5% as a user, managing how much nicotine you take in can be important, and influences appetites.

For example, the SKE Crystal delivers nicotine in an overall smooth experience, plus the sleek design aides with being discreet, and allows for manageable amounts of nicotine.

Each brand of vaping product comes with their own purposes, so it is for you to discover what works best for your lifestyle, and health objectives.

Final Thoughts: Does vaping make you gain weight? - The Takeaway

So, will vaping make you gain weight? For the most part it won't. If anything, vaping with nicotine may even stop some of the weight gain from quitting cigarettes (in general refurbished weight gain). But it is important to reiterate, that vaping is not a diet regimen or weight management strategy, it is an alternative to smoking. It's impact on you in regards to your weight will primarily be influenced as a user, by your lifestyle, eating behaviours, and how you vape.

Want to move to vaping but worried about the weight situation? You aren't alone - and there is no shortage of alternatives.

About Vape Villa

Vape Villa wants to empower your vaping experience with clarity, quality and a feeling of choice. Whether you are an experienced vaper or a person who is wanting to bring the switch to vaping, we offer the latest vape devices, premium e-liquids and the ability to make well informed decisions.