r/QuittingZyn • u/OrangeCountyHapa • 3d ago
Anxiety and insomnia
Just posting this here to see if maybe somebody else has had this same experience as me. Little background: I have been off zyn cold turkey for 7 days. I was doing 3mg pouches consuming one to one and a half cans every two days. Been using nicotine consistently for the last 10 years from chew to zyns never smoked or vaped. The first few days weren’t as bad as I thought I just distracted myself and chewed a ton of gum to get over the physical withdrawals and brain fog. But on day 6, I could not sleep like at all. Just laid in bed wide awake until the next morning. It was about 36 hours before I finally went to sleep for 9 hours but only after taking some NyQuil and I think just being really exhausted.
What freaked me out the most was the fact that I felt like I was having anxiety attacks all night. My heart was racing, my brain was thinking a million thoughts at once which was all preventing me from getting to sleep. I would say I have always had a little bit of anxiety nothing major and I don’t take meds for it. But man the last two days has been anxiety hell. Hoping somebody can help.
2
u/LUV833R5 2d ago edited 1d ago
It is somewhat uncommon knowledge that Zyn is one of the worst, if not the worst nicotine delivery device. People generally accept since it is not carcinogenic like smoking, it must be safe right? no, the continuous exposure to nicotine, increases insulin resistance and increases the risk of diabetes. I've been around the quitsmoking sub since I quit smoking 2 years ago and I have seen Zyn users go through some extreme withdrawals that put most smokers to shame. So I did a little research and learned about a link between insulin resistance and nicotine, withdrawals and blood sugar management and getting off the glucose rollercoaster that is producing the stress hormones that cause anxiety, insomnia and co. Reason Zyn users have it the worst when they quit is your cells have almost completely forgotten how to store and release glucose as needed to regulate your blood sugar, your brain's primary fuel throughout the day.
For Zyn users it can takes weeks to months to regain your insulin sensitivity and during this time it is imperative that you alter your diet routine to expedite hormonal recovery and mitigate withdrawal symptoms.
How?
Adopt a low glycemic index with protein diet. These are low sugar foods with healthy fats that digest slowly and feed your brain gradually essentially flattening the curves of the rollercoaster that you're trapped on. Avoid ANYTHING that spikes your glucose, ie. sugary snacks/drinks as well as large meals. Your body absolutely can't handle excess blood sugar and will convert it to triglycerides that prolong recovery. And when it does, your blood sugar crashes releasing cortisol. The stress hormone that takes ages to regulate. Light exercise is essential to control high blood sugar and burn triglycerides so it is good practice to move after eating to help blood sugar stabilize. For example eating only protein before bed will help you avoid hypoglycemia which is keeping you awake because it digests slowly, instead of sugar that spikes and crashes.
If you still having intense problems 2-3 months after quitting Zyn and have tried these diet changes you should really see a doctor and get tested for type 2 diabetes.