Nicotine Withdrawal & Constipation Relief


While nearly 17 million Americans try to quit smoking each year, only about 8% of them are successful. Part of the reason for the high relapse rate is the difficult side effects of nicotine withdrawal. One of these side effects is constipation accompanied by feelings of bloating and gas. So is it true that smoking causes constipation and if so what can you do for constipation relief?


Nicotine Withdrawal Does Cause Constipation

A 2003 study in the Journal Addiction helps confirm the connection between efforts to quit smoking and constipation. The study looked at patients self-reports of constipation on 3 occasions prior to date of quitting as well as weekly self-reporting after quitting. The results? About 1 in 6 of the patients followed developed constipation and 1 in 11 developed severe constipation. These even occurred among patients using nicotine replacement therapy.


Why does Nicotine Withdrawal prevent constipation relief?

Scientists are not 100% on why nicotine withdrawal causes constipation. It is known that nicotine acts as stimulant on the digestive system and that its sudden removal be a shock to the system. Smokers are probably familiar with the feeling of having to use the bathroom after smoking and so this is the opposite effect. It is likely that the neurotransmitters involved in smoking have something to do with the constipation. For example, acetylcholine is a key neurotransmitter that is stimulated during nicotine addiction and it is also a crucial neurotransmitter in intestines. If acetylcholine levels were to drop during nicotine withdrawal it could reduce the amount available in the intestines to induce peristalsis (intestinal contractions).


What can I do for constipation relief?

Some of the following suggestions might help with your nicotine withdrawal related constipation


  • Drink plenty of water – many folks increase consumption of coffee and chewing gum while trying to quite smoking. This is problematic because coffee is a diuretic and reduces the amount of water available for softening stool due to increased urination. While coffee can help with bowel movements by inducing peristalsis, if you are dehydrated it will make it difficult to pass the stool because it will be hard. Chewing gum can also increase saliva output and leave less water available for proper digestion. Both of these effects can be countered by increasing your water intake.

  • Walking and other forms of exercise can help to activate the digestive tract

  • Try natural constipation relief with a supplement like StayRegular that rebalances your body and help it adjust to life without nicotine. StayRegular’s proprietary “quad-action” formula works to relieve constipation in 4 different ways – all aimed at returning your body to normalcy and allowing you to have healthy bowel movements again.

    • If you are reading this article, you have already taken the first step towards quitting. With the right preparation, you should also be able to avoid the annoying side effect of constipation while you quit – or at the very least minimize the time you have to deal with it. Good luck!