No, cigars do not produce a psychoactive high like marijuana; their effects are limited to nicotine stimulation and mild intoxication.
Understanding the Basics: What Are Cigars?
Cigars are tightly rolled bundles of fermented and dried tobacco leaves designed for smoking. Unlike cigarettes, cigars are generally larger, contain more tobacco, and are often smoked differently. The tobacco in cigars is aged and cured to develop rich flavors, which aficionados savor slowly. But cigars aren’t just about flavor; they deliver nicotine, a potent stimulant that affects the brain and body.
Nicotine is the primary active compound in tobacco products. It’s responsible for the addictive properties of smoking and can cause mild stimulant effects such as increased heart rate and alertness. However, nicotine alone does not create a “high” in the way substances like THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) do.
Can You Get High From Cigars? The Science Behind Nicotine
Nicotine interacts with receptors in the brain called nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. This interaction releases neurotransmitters like dopamine, which can create feelings of pleasure or mild euphoria. But this sensation is subtle and short-lived compared to the intense psychoactive high produced by cannabis or other drugs.
The term “high” typically refers to altered states of consciousness or mind-altering experiences. Nicotine’s effects are more accurately described as stimulation rather than intoxication or hallucination. People smoking cigars may feel relaxed or alert but won’t experience hallucinations, distortions in perception, or a euphoric “rush” akin to marijuana.
Nicotine vs. Psychoactive Substances
- Nicotine: A stimulant causing increased heart rate, alertness, and mild pleasure.
- THC (in marijuana): A psychoactive compound causing euphoria, altered sensory perception, and cognitive changes.
- Alcohol: A depressant causing relaxation, lowered inhibitions, and impaired coordination.
Cigars fall strictly into the nicotine category. They don’t contain THC or other compounds that induce a true high.
The Role of Inhalation Method on Effects
One reason some people ask “Can You Get High From Cigars?” is due to confusion over how cigars are smoked compared to cigarettes or cannabis.
Cigar smokers typically don’t inhale cigar smoke deeply into their lungs because it’s harsher and more alkaline. Instead, they hold the smoke in their mouths to taste it before exhaling. This method delivers nicotine primarily through the lining of the mouth rather than deep lung absorption.
In contrast:
- Cigarette smokers inhale smoke deeply into their lungs.
- Cannabis users inhale deeply to absorb THC efficiently.
This difference in inhalation affects how quickly and intensely nicotine enters the bloodstream. Cigar smokers usually experience slower onset of nicotine effects with less intensity than cigarette smokers.
Does Deep Inhalation Change Nicotine Effects?
Inhaling cigar smoke deeply can increase nicotine absorption but also dramatically increases exposure to harmful toxins and carcinogens. Even then, the effect remains a stimulant buzz rather than a psychoactive high.
People sometimes confuse dizziness or lightheadedness from nicotine overdose with being “high.” These symptoms are actually signs of nicotine poisoning—not an enjoyable altered state—and can include nausea, headache, and rapid heartbeat.
Tobacco Alkaloids Beyond Nicotine: Any Psychoactive Effects?
Tobacco contains other alkaloids besides nicotine—such as nornicotine, anabasine, and anatabine—but these have minimal psychoactive properties compared to nicotine itself.
Some research has explored whether these minor alkaloids contribute to mood changes or cognitive effects but found nothing resembling a true high.
In short:
- Cigars carry multiple chemicals.
- None induce mind-altering experiences comparable to cannabis.
- Nicotine remains the main active compound influencing mood and alertness.
Comparing Cigar Effects With Other Substances
To clarify why cigars don’t produce a high despite delivering nicotine, it helps to compare their effects side-by-side with other substances known for mind-altering properties:
| Substance | Main Psychoactive Compound | Type of Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Cigars | Nicotine | Mild stimulant; alertness; no altered consciousness |
| Cannabis (Marijuana) | THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) | Euphoria; altered perception; relaxation; cognitive changes |
| Alcohol | Ethanol | Depressant effects; lowered inhibitions; relaxation; impaired motor skills |
| Opioids (e.g., heroin) | Morphine derivatives | Euphoria; pain relief; sedation; possible hallucinations at high doses |
| Cocaine | Cocaine hydrochloride | Strong stimulant; intense euphoria; increased energy; paranoia at high doses |
This table highlights that while cigars stimulate alertness through nicotine absorption, they lack compounds that alter sensory experience or cognition profoundly enough to be called a “high.”
The Impact of Cigar Size and Tobacco Content on Nicotine Intake
Cigars come in many sizes—from small cigarillos to large Churchill-sized cigars—and this influences how much nicotine you get per smoke session. Larger cigars contain significantly more tobacco than cigarettes—sometimes 5–20 times more—which means they have higher total nicotine content. However, because cigar smoke is usually not inhaled deeply into the lungs but rather held in the mouth, actual systemic nicotine absorption varies widely by user behavior.
For example:
- A single large cigar can contain 100–200 mg of nicotine.
- Only about 5–20% of this may be absorbed depending on puff frequency and inhalation depth.
- Cigarette smokers absorb roughly 1 mg per cigarette due to deep inhalation.
Despite these differences in quantity consumed versus absorbed, even heavy cigar smoking doesn’t produce intoxication beyond mild stimulation from nicotine.
Nicotine Absorption Rates by Product Type
| Product Type | Approximate Nicotine Content | Typical Absorption Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Large Cigar | 100–200 mg | 5–20% | Absorption mainly oral mucosa |
| Cigarette | 10–12 mg | ~50% | Deep lung inhalation |
| Cigarillo | 20–30 mg | 10–30% | Smaller size than large cigars |
| Pipe Tobacco | Varies | Variable | Often not inhaled |
This table illustrates why even though cigars have more tobacco—and thus more total nicotine—the actual amount entering your bloodstream doesn’t necessarily cause stronger effects akin to being “high.”
Why Some People Mistake Nicotine Buzz for a High?
The mild stimulation from nicotine can sometimes be misinterpreted as feeling “high,” especially by new users unfamiliar with tobacco products’ effects. Symptoms like lightheadedness, increased heart rate, slight euphoria, or relaxation may feel novel but don’t match what’s generally considered a drug-induced “high.”
Furthermore:
- Nicotine tolerance builds quickly.
- Long-term smokers rarely report feeling “high” from tobacco.
- Overconsumption leads to unpleasant side effects rather than enjoyable intoxication.
This confusion often arises when people compare their experiences with cannabis or alcohol—both known for clear psychoactive highs—to tobacco’s subtle stimulant buzz.
The Risks Behind Chasing a High From Cigars
Trying to get “high” from cigars by smoking excessively or inhaling deeply is dangerous. It increases exposure to toxic compounds such as tar, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, ammonia, and heavy metals—all linked with serious health problems including cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Nicotine overdose symptoms include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Rapid heartbeat
- Tremors
These are signs of poisoning—not any kind of desirable high—and require immediate medical attention if severe.
Smoking cigars responsibly means enjoying flavor without pushing limits seeking intoxicating effects that simply don’t exist here.
Key Takeaways: Can You Get High From Cigars?
➤ Cigars contain nicotine, which can cause mild psychoactive effects.
➤ Inhaling cigar smoke is less common but increases nicotine absorption.
➤ The high from cigars is generally weaker than from cigarettes or drugs.
➤ Nicotine can cause dizziness, relaxation, or mild euphoria in some users.
➤ Health risks from cigars outweigh any potential ‘high’ effects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Get High From Cigars?
No, cigars do not produce a psychoactive high like marijuana. Their effects are limited to nicotine stimulation, which can cause mild alertness or relaxation but not the intense euphoria or altered states associated with a true high.
How Does Nicotine in Cigars Affect You?
Nicotine stimulates receptors in the brain, releasing dopamine that may create mild pleasure or alertness. However, these effects are subtle and short-lived, lacking the mind-altering qualities of substances like THC found in cannabis.
Why Don’t Cigars Cause a High Like Marijuana?
Cigars contain nicotine, a stimulant, not THC or other psychoactive compounds that alter perception. Nicotine’s effects involve increased heart rate and mild stimulation, but it does not cause hallucinations or euphoria like marijuana does.
Does The Way You Smoke Cigars Influence Getting High?
Cigar smokers usually do not inhale deeply because cigar smoke is harsher. This method delivers nicotine through the mouth lining rather than lungs, reducing any chance of intoxication or a high compared to inhaling cannabis smoke.
Can Nicotine From Cigars Lead To Intoxication?
Nicotine can cause mild intoxication symptoms such as dizziness or nausea if consumed in large amounts, but it does not create a psychoactive high. Its effects are primarily stimulant-based rather than mind-altering or euphoric.
The Bottom Line – Can You Get High From Cigars?
The straightforward answer is no—you cannot get high from cigars in the sense most people understand that term related to mind-altering drugs like marijuana or alcohol. Cigars deliver nicotine which acts as a mild stimulant producing sensations like alertness or relaxation but no true euphoria or altered consciousness akin to a drug-induced high.
Understanding this distinction helps prevent misconceptions around cigar use while emphasizing health risks associated with heavy smoking attempts aimed at chasing non-existent highs.
If you’re curious about how different substances affect your body’s chemistry or want detailed info on tobacco products’ impact beyond myths about getting “high,” focusing on scientific facts will always clear up confusion better than hearsay or assumptions.