Why Does Smoking Hookah Give Me a Headache?

When coal burns in a hookah, carbon monoxide (CO) is formed – odorless but extremely dangerous. It easily binds to hemoglobin in the blood, blocking oxygen transport to organs, including the brain. This condition is called hypoxia – oxygen starvation, which manifests itself as headaches, dizziness, and weakness.

Therefore, you shouldn't smoke a single hookah bowl for longer than 40-60 minutes. A typical bowl contains about 17 grams of tobacco. The hookah technician refreshes the coals approximately every 10-15 minutes to maintain the desired temperature in the HMD. During this time, the tobacco warms up completely and gradually burns out. If you smoke longer, the temperature drops, the coals begin to produce more products of incomplete combustion, and you inhale more carbon monoxide.

Often, two or three people smoke a single hookah in a group. In this case, the session passes more quickly, and after 30-40 minutes, you should consider stopping.

Shisha Charcoal used in the bowl of hookah must be qualitatively heated to a full redness from all sides. This is the only way to avoid getting volatile carcinogens into the body.

Hookah tobacco contains nicotine, a vasoconstrictor. When nicotine enters the bloodstream, it alters blood flow: blood vessels constrict, which can worsen oxygen deprivation in the brain. This causes a pressing or throbbing headache, especially in people with low nicotine tolerance.

It's important to consider your sensitivity level. There are tobaccos with different nicotine levels. Milder ones include Adalya, Starline, and Al Fakher. Stronger ones include Darkside, Bonche, and Blackburn.

Be sure to ask the hookah master what tobaccos are used and choose the one that suits you. Some prefer nicotine-free tea leaf blends. This type of hookah smokes well, has a rich flavor, and is nicotine-free.

A long hookah session involves deep, frequent inhalations of dry, hot smoke, which can accelerate fluid loss. Dehydration itself is a common cause of headaches.

The solution is simple: drink water or tea while smoking.

In a closed room with a lot of smoke and insufficient ventilation, oxygen levels decrease, especially if coals are actively burning nearby. Less oxygen puts more strain on the brain, which can worsen headaches.

It's best to smoke on a veranda or open terrace where there's a constant flow of fresh air. If you're in a poorly ventilated night club or shisha lounge, it's best to limit your smoking time or stop smoking altogether.

Smoking hookah on an empty stomach increases the likelihood of headaches, as the body becomes more sensitive to nicotine and hypoxia.

In this case, the body suffers from a deficit of glucose, so filling the cells with smoke is painful for the brain. 

Therefore, do not forget to eat fruit and drink green tea with honey in the process of smoking.