What Is Smoker’s Flu and How Can You Manage It?

Smoker’s flu is a nickname for the flu-like symptoms that can arise when you quit smoking, a part of nicotine withdrawal that hits up to 90% of smokers. If you’re battling coughing, fatigue, and other bothersome symptoms after quitting, know that it’s temporary and a sign your body is healing.

Recognizing the Signs of Smoker’s Flu

Smoker’s flu is a group of symptoms people can experience after quitting cigarettes. It’s so named because the symptoms are easily confused with a respiratory infection like the flu.

Common symptoms of smoker’s flu include:

• Coughing
• Sore throat
• Sneezing
• Chest tightness
• Body aches
• Headache
• Fatigue

Smoker’s flu is often accompanied by typical nicotine withdrawal symptoms, which can be both physical and mental, such as:

• Slowed heart rate (bradycardia)
• Upset stomach
• Constipation
• Gas and bloating
• Diarrhea
• Increased hunger
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Apathy or general unhappiness
• Irritability
• Difficulty concentrating
• Nicotine cravings

Research indicates that 61.1% of people who quit smoking experience withdrawal symptoms. Mental symptoms like anxiety can start as soon as four hours after you stop smoking.

Smoker’s flu can be uncomfortable, but it is not harmful. Unlike withdrawal from alcohol or opioids, nicotine withdrawal does not pose a health risk.

How Nicotine Withdrawal Causes Smoker’s Flu

Smoker’s flu results from your body’s response to the sudden absence of nicotine, leading to both mood changes and physical symptoms.

The effects of chronic nicotine use on the brain are complex, and research is ongoing.

Nicotine influences mood by stimulating brain receptors to release “feel-good” hormones such as dopamine, serotonin, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) each time you smoke.

When you abruptly stop using nicotine, quick mood changes can occur, leading to anxiety, depression, headaches, or fatigue.

Nicotine withdrawal also causes physical symptoms because nicotine interacts with brain receptors that normally respond to acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that controls heart rate, breathing, intestinal movements, and other functions. Prolonged smoking can reduce acetylcholine levels.

After quitting smoking, it may take time for acetylcholine levels to normalize. Meanwhile, your heart, respiratory, and digestive systems may experience temporary effects.

How to Treat Smoker’s Flu

Smoker’s flu is not a medical diagnosis, and there are no specific treatment guidelines. However, these symptoms will generally resolve on their own over time.

In the meantime, you can manage your symptoms with these approaches:

A Word From Verywell

The most important thing to know about smoker’s flu is that it’s temporary. Knowing this can help you push through the withdrawal. Nicotine replacement therapy, such as lozenges, gum, or patches, can be used to slowly wean off cigarettes, which can reduce the risk and/or severity of smoker’s flu.

Tips to Prevent Nicotine Withdrawal Symptoms

You may be able to avoid smoker’s flu by gradually reducing the amount you smoke rather than quitting all at once. This may be especially true if you have been a heavy smoker for many years.

However, research shows that quitting “cold turkey” is often more effective. Gradually reducing smoking can lead to lapses due to stress, discomfort, or cravings.

Nicotine replacement therapy—including nicotine patches, lozenges, sprays, and gums—may also help. These smoking cessation tools may only reduce cravings but may also minimize the risk or severity of nicotine withdrawal.