Anxiety & Restlessness
Anxiety during nicotine withdrawal is common and often counterintuitive - many people used nicotine believing it reduced anxiety, when it was actually causing the baseline anxiety they were 'relieving.'
Duration
1-4 weeks, gradually improving
Peak Time
Days 3-7 after quitting
Severity
moderateWhy This Happens
- 💡Nicotine stimulated your nervous system - now it's recalibrating
- 💡The 'relief' you felt from pouches was just ending withdrawal
- 💡Worry about being able to quit successfully
- 💡Physical symptoms being interpreted as something wrong
How to Manage Anxiety & Restlessness
- ✓
4-7-8 breathing activates your parasympathetic nervous system
- ✓
Regular exercise is one of the most effective anxiety reducers
- ✓
Limit caffeine, which can amplify anxiety symptoms
- ✓
Mindfulness or meditation, even 5 minutes daily
- ✓
Progressive muscle relaxation before bed
- ✓
Remind yourself: this is temporary and means healing is happening
When to Seek Help
If anxiety becomes panic attacks, or if you're unable to function in daily life, consult a healthcare provider. Some people benefit from temporary support during the quit process.
Get Craving Management Tools
Pouched includes breathing exercises, urge timers, and other tools to help you manage anxiety & restlessness during withdrawal.
Download PouchedAnxiety & Restlessness FAQs
Why am I more anxious after quitting if nicotine is a stimulant?
Nicotine creates a cycle: it causes baseline anxiety through withdrawal, then 'relieves' it when you use. When you quit, your brain needs time to return to its natural, lower anxiety baseline.
Will my anxiety be permanently worse after quitting?
No - most people find their baseline anxiety is actually LOWER after quitting. The temporary increase during withdrawal gives way to calmer baseline once your brain chemistry normalizes.