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Been Getting Sick While/after Smoking Lately


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My past couple sessions have resulted in me feeling extremely sick. Headache and nausea mainly. Even the smell of shisha and coals and the thought of a hookah itself is making me feel sick to my stomach. I'm not sure what led to this, my best guess is that I've owned my own hookah for about a month now and I don't enjoy setting up and maintaining it because of how gross it is when I have to clean out the bowl, dump the water and rinse it. But I doubt that's been making me feel sick.

Maybe I've just been overdoing it? My last big session was with my friends and they wanted to try two different flavors, so we smoked two bowls which made me feel awful as I smoked on an empty stomach. I felt terrible for the rest of the evening. Just a half hour ago I was trying to smoke peach shisha but started feeling nauseous so I put the coal out and left everything. Maybe there's a little psychological conditioning here because I've gotten sick the last few times I've smoked.

So, anyone else go through this? I'm thinking about just taking a break for a while and quitting if I keep feeling sick. Luckily I've only spent about $100 on hookah altogether, but the majority of my experiences have been great so I really hope I don't have to.
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You are most likely doing something wrong and just not realizing it.

1. Know how to properly set up the hookah, and proper heat management. Check out the Beginner's thread, pinned at the top of this section. That gives general guidelines of what you should be doing. Post exactly what products you're using and how you're setting it all up and we'll be able to tell you if you're doing anything you shouldn't be.

2. Stay hydrated (keep water or something nearby while smoking), and never smoke on an empty stomach. Smoke in a well ventilated area, and pace yourself. You're gonna get quite the headache by taking hit after hit.

3. You mentioned quick light coals. Those often give people headaches. I know they do for me. I suggest switching to natural coals such as Coconaras. Also, certain brands that are heavily dyed and have chemicals in them can give people headaches. I know Starbuzz is like that for me, and many others. Try switching out the products you're using and see if the negative effects to away.

You definitely shouldn't be having this sort of experience while smoking hookah, so hopefully we can help pinpoint the cause and you can make some changes and start having excellent sessions. Don't lose faith in the hobby just yet. :)


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Thanks for the advice, I checked on the beginner's thread. Looks like something I'm doing wrong is not splitting my quick-light coals, I really had no idea that heat distribution was as big of a deal as it is! I'm still waiting a couple days to smoke again since I'm taking a break just because I've been feeling sick to my stomach. Thanks for the advice so far!
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[quote name='Cancersandpoppytarts' timestamp='1353250136' post='561947']Thanks for the advice, I checked on the beginner's thread. Looks like something I'm doing wrong is not splitting my quick-light coals, I really had no idea that heat distribution was as big of a deal as it is! I'm still waiting a couple days to smoke again since I'm taking a break just because I've been feeling sick to my stomach. Thanks for the advice so far![/quote]

Yep, plopping a QL coal directly in the middle can definitely cause a headache. Try it with the halves on the sides of the bowl and let us know how it goes. Also, make sure the coal is completely lit, with no black showing, so all grey and ashed over. Never light the coal on the bowl- in fact let it sit for a minute or two after its completely lit, then put it on. Patience is key in this hobby. :)


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what mush said..


hookah is a terrible hobby.. It's a money sucking pit full of nothing more than crushed hopes and dreams of becoming an international pop sensation... and..

oh.. wait.. this has nothing to do with anything.. nvm... umm.. this is awkward now.
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[quote name='Chreees' timestamp='1353177443' post='561879']
You are most likely doing something wrong and just not realizing it.

1. Know how to properly set up the hookah, and proper heat management. Check out the Beginner's thread, pinned at the top of this section. That gives general guidelines of what you should be doing. Post exactly what products you're using and how you're setting it all up and we'll be able to tell you if you're doing anything you shouldn't be.

2. Stay hydrated (keep water or something nearby while smoking), and never smoke on an empty stomach. Smoke in a well ventilated area, and pace yourself. You're gonna get quite the headache by taking hit after hit.

3. You mentioned quick light coals. Those often give people headaches. I know they do for me. I suggest switching to natural coals such as Coconaras. Also, certain brands that are heavily dyed and have chemicals in them can give people headaches. I know Starbuzz is like that for me, and many others. Try switching out the products you're using and see if the negative effects to away.

You definitely shouldn't be having this sort of experience while smoking hookah, so hopefully we can help pinpoint the cause and you can make some changes and start having excellent sessions. Don't lose faith in the hobby just yet. :)


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[/quote]


This is great advice. Make sure you pace yourself and are hydrated. The headache and nausea is likely from CO (carbon monoxide) build up in the area you are smoking so make sure the area is well ventilated.
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im having the same issue, bought a hookah a month ago and 2 days in a row iv had massive migranes. i do have quick light coals i think there awfull, i dont want to throw them out but im gonna try and split them next time i do.
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[quote name='fineout' timestamp='1354108870' post='563144']
the answer is stop using quicklights, light the coals all the way, have proper ventilation when you smoke and hydrate.
[/quote]

Agreed. I will also add to this:

-Don't burn the tobacco, cook it. If it gets a bit harsh, you're doing it wrong. Take away some heat
-Eat something before smoking, especially long sessions. If you've been doing it for a long time, not eating won't bother you as much, but it will still affect you somewhat.
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