Energy? Nope.

[Karen]

I have read in so many places since I quit smoking that I would have increased energy, and I really wish this was true. Every day I'm dragged down and tired. Not fun at all. Any suggestions?

[Jenny]

This is completely normal.  It takes time for your body to get used to the absence of the chemicals it was accustomed to.  I forget if you are completely nicotine free at this point or not?  If you're still using the patch it is likely still a decrease in nicotine than what you were used to so the same explanation would apply.

 

Here's a link to whyquit.com that explains what your going through better than I could.  I hope it helps.

 

http://whyquit.com/whyquit/A_Symptoms.html

[Nancy]

I have read in so many places since I quit smoking that I would have increased energy, and I really wish this was true. Every day I'm dragged down and tired. Not fun at all. Any suggestions?

KarenLou, you just need to give it more time...as Jenny said, your body is still detoxing and getting used to the new normal.  I found some more info about smoking and release of adrenaline and dopamine.

 

Nicotine and Adrenaline

When a person inhales cigarette smoke, the nicotine in the smoke is rapidly absorbed into the blood and starts affecting the brain within 10 seconds. The result is the release of adrenaline, the "fight or flight" hormone. Physically, adrenaline increases a person's heart rate, blood pressure and restricts blood flow to the heart muscle. When this occurs, the smoker experiences rapid, shallow breathing and the feeling of a racing heartbeat. Adrenaline also instructs the body to dump excess glucose into the bloodstream.

Nicotine and Insulin

Nicotine also inhibits the release of insulin from the pancreas, a hormone that is responsible for removing excess sugar from a person's blood. This leaves the smoker in a slightlyhyperglycemic condition, meaning he has more sugar in his blood than is normal. High blood sugar acts as an appetite suppressant, which may be why smokers think their cigarettes reduce hunger.

Nicotine and Dopamine

Nicotine activates the same reward pathways in the brain that other drugs of abuse such as cocaine or amphetamines do, although to a lesser degree. Research has shown that nicotine increases the level of dopamine in the brain, a neurotransmitter that is responsible for feelings of pleasure and well-being. The acute effects of nicotine wear off within minutes, so people must continue dosing themselves frequently throughout the day to maintain the pleasurable effects of nicotine and to prevent withdrawal symptoms.

[buMbLeB]

Yeah, this is one of those things I just don't get. What Nancy wrote above is right on - when we smoked, we were artifically amping up our adrenaline and dopamine, and generally screwing with our metabolism. Why would stopping those things give us more energy? Now, I certainly have more stamina than when I smoked, along with innumerable other benefits, but more energy? No. Actually it's the opposite, in a very good way - I have more peace and tranquility, I don't "need" constant artificial stimulants to wake me up and keep me going, and I sleep like a baby.

 

Oh wait, there's that: you said you're "dragged down and tired" every day - that's different. At this point in your quit you probably aren't sleeping very well, whether you know it or not. Your body and brain are still making painful readjustments, and it can be hard on the system. That *will* get better, and pretty soon too. Meanwhile, my only suggestions are to make sure you're getting proper nutrition, hydration and sleep, try and keep stress to a minimum, and trust that you are doing an amazing thing for yourself. The sort of nervous, toxic "energy" smoking gave us is something only a junkie could love. You don't need it.

[Still winning]

I'm with bumble on this one. As a smoker we got a buzz and a drop, that we then just kickstarted with another buzz. So our systems were up and down like a yoyo.

 

Sleeping patterns took a couple to three weeks to re adjust as well. Now I feel far more constant if that makes sense. It's a good thing and I can still pull it out of the bag if I need to do a long stint at something but it took a while to re-adjust.

 

I think it helps to think on it as a recovery period, giving your body the time and resources it needs to heal properly from the abuse. 

 

You are doing amazingly well. Just tune in and listen to your body as much as you are able to right now and give it all the time and help it needs. Also hydrate more then you think you need to! We get thirstier then we think and as a smoker we miss a lot of cues the body tells us. 

 

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