Nicotine Withdrawal: Symptoms and How Long It Lasts
Whether you are stopping nicotine, cutting down, or simply going a day without your usual pouches, withdrawal is what your body does when the nicotine it is used to is not there. Most of the research comes from people who smoked, but the symptoms come from nicotine, so they apply to snus and pouch users too. This page sets out the symptoms, the typical timeline and what the studies say. It describes withdrawal; it is not medical advice or a quitting programme. If you want help to stop, your doctor or a local stop-smoking service can advise.
The short answer
Nicotine withdrawal usually starts within a few hours to a day of your last nicotine. The main symptoms are cravings, irritability, anxiety, low mood, restlessness, trouble concentrating, poor sleep and a bigger appetite. According to the NHS, they are usually strongest in the first week, especially the first three days, and last about three to four weeks on average, though cravings can come and go for a few months. Many people also notice constipation and some weight gain.
Last updated: October 2026
In this guide
The symptoms
The medical definition of tobacco withdrawal, in the DSM-5 diagnostic manual, lists seven symptoms. A diagnosis needs at least four of them within 24 hours of stopping or cutting down after daily use for several weeks.
| Symptom | What it feels like |
|---|---|
| Irritability, frustration or anger | A shorter fuse than usual |
| Anxiety | Feeling tense or on edge |
| Difficulty concentrating | Losing focus, a foggy head |
| Increased appetite | Feeling hungrier, snacking more |
| Restlessness | Unable to sit still |
| Low mood | Feeling flat or down |
| Insomnia | Trouble falling or staying asleep |
Cravings, the strong urge for nicotine, are the most common symptom of all and are usually counted alongside these. A major review of 120 studies also found that constipation, coughing, dizziness, more vivid dreams and mouth ulcers may be linked to stopping, while tiredness and drowsiness were not reliable withdrawal symptoms (Hughes, 2007).
How long nicotine withdrawal lasts
| When | What usually happens |
|---|---|
| First few hours to 1 day | Cravings and irritability begin |
| Days 1 to 3 | Symptoms are usually at their strongest |
| End of week 1 | Most symptoms start to ease |
| Weeks 2 to 4 | Mood, focus and sleep return towards normal; constipation can peak around week 2 |
| 1 to 3 months | Cravings become less frequent but can still appear, often triggered by habits and situations |
The NHS describes withdrawal as usually strongest during the first week, especially the first three days, lasting about three to four weeks on average and, for some people, a few months (NHS). The Hughes review found the core symptoms peak within the first week and last two to four weeks. Everyone is different: how long and how strongly you feel it depends on how much nicotine you were used to, for how long, and on the person.
Withdrawal after snus or nicotine pouches
There is very little research on stopping pouches specifically, and we found no study of withdrawal in people who only used nicotine pouches. What exists:
- A small 1987 study compared people stopping moist snuff with people stopping cigarettes. Both groups had withdrawal; the snuff users reported more craving, eating and waking at night, while the smokers had more changes overall.
- A study of Swedish young people found that those who only used snus reported dependence symptoms at least as often as smokers, with craving the most common withdrawal symptom.
- A 2025 Swedish study followed 37 people who stopped snus or pouches. Of the 33 who stayed off for 12 weeks, the average weight gain was 1.8 kg and home blood pressure rose slightly.
The nicotine is the same, so the pattern is likely similar. How strong it is will depend on your daily total, which is why the mg per pouch matters more than the number of pouches: see how many pouches a day is normal.
Changes people notice
Sleep
Studies that recorded people's sleep found more waking and lighter sleep in the first weeks after stopping, and insomnia is one of the official withdrawal symptoms. Vivid dreams are common too.
Digestion
Nicotine stimulates the gut, so stopping can slow it down. In a study of people who quit smoking, about 1 in 6 developed constipation and about 1 in 11 severely, peaking around two weeks after stopping (Hajek et al., 2003). Our article on nicotine pouches and your bowels explains why.
Appetite and weight
Nicotine suppresses appetite, so hunger often rises when it stops. A review of 62 studies found that people who quit smoking gained on average about 4.7 kg after a year, most of it in the first three months, although results varied widely and about one in six lost weight (Aubin et al., 2012).
Cutting down instead of stopping
Withdrawal symptoms can also appear when you cut down, not only when you stop completely, which is why some people prefer to reduce gradually. With pouches, you can lower either the number of pouches or the mg per pouch. Our guide to stepping down pouch strength explains the options, and our mild pouches start at the low end. If you want to stop nicotine completely, a doctor, pharmacist or stop-smoking service can tell you what support is available where you live.
When to get help
Withdrawal is unpleasant but not dangerous for most people. Talk to a doctor if your mood drops severely or you have thoughts of harming yourself, if symptoms do not ease after several weeks, or if you have a health condition or take medicines that nicotine could affect.
Frequently asked questions
What are the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal?
Cravings, irritability, anxiety, low mood, restlessness, difficulty concentrating, trouble sleeping and a bigger appetite. Many people also notice constipation, vivid dreams and some weight gain.
How long does nicotine withdrawal last?
According to the NHS, symptoms are usually strongest in the first week, especially the first three days, and last about three to four weeks on average. Cravings can come and go for a few months.
When does nicotine withdrawal peak?
Usually in the first three days. Most symptoms start to ease by the end of the first week.
Do you get withdrawal from nicotine pouches?
Yes. Pouches contain nicotine, and withdrawal comes from nicotine, so stopping or cutting down can cause the same symptoms as stopping smoking. There is little research on pouches specifically, and how strong it is depends on how much nicotine you were used to.
Is snus withdrawal the same as nicotine withdrawal?
Largely, yes. Studies of snus and moist snuff users found similar symptoms to smokers, with craving the most common. Some studies found the overall changes were smaller than in smokers.
Can nicotine withdrawal cause constipation?
Yes. In a study of people who quit smoking, about 1 in 6 developed constipation, peaking around two weeks after stopping.
Does nicotine withdrawal cause weight gain?
Often. Nicotine suppresses appetite, and a review of 62 studies found people who quit smoking gained about 4.7 kg on average after a year, mostly in the first three months. A small Swedish study of people stopping snus or pouches found an average of 1.8 kg after 12 weeks.
Sources: American Psychiatric Association, DSM-5 tobacco withdrawal criteria (via PsychDB); Hughes, Nicotine and Tobacco Research 2007; NHS Better Health, managing nicotine withdrawal symptoms; Jaehne et al. 2014 on sleep during nicotine withdrawal; Hajek, Gillison and McRobbie, Addiction 2003; Aubin et al., BMJ 2012; Hatsukami, Gust and Keenan, Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics 1987; Post et al., Addiction 2010; af Geijerstam et al., Harm Reduction Journal 2025. This article is general information, not medical advice.
