Nov 25, 2025
Last Modified: May 27, 2026
There are many benefits of cigar smoking. For a start, cigars are rich in flavor. There’s also a long tradition of cracking out stogies for special occasions. But cigars are also relaxing to smoke, especially in social settings.
It’s tempting to compare cigars to cigarettes or marijuana. Those, too, can be enjoyed with friends. But do cigars get you high?
It’s a complex subject. Cigars are generally not as addictive as cigarettes. They also don’t deliver the same high associated with cannabis. So, do cigars give you a buzz, or a ‘proper’ high?
Key Takeaways
- Cigars do not get you “high” like cannabis does.
- They can give you a nicotine buzz, which may feel calming, sharp, or mildly euphoric.
- The buzz depends on the cigar’s strength, your pace, and your nicotine tolerance.
- New smokers should start with a mild cigar, smoke slowly, and stop if they feel dizzy or sick.
Do Cigars Get You High?
The answer depends on what you consider a ‘high’. Smoking marijuana dramatically alters how you perceive the world around you. This sensation is what is most commonly referred to as a ‘high’. The effects of smoking cigars, on the other hand, are much subtler.
As a tobacco product, a cigar is naturally rich in nicotine. When you smoke a cigar, your body will absorb nicotine. This can make you alert and euphoric as well as increase your heart rate.
At the same time, nicotine is merely a stimulant. So, its effects tend to be mild and short-lived. This makes it far less potent than tetrahydrocannabinol (commonly known as THC, this is the mind-altering substance in cannabis).
Smoking marijuana can dramatically disrupt your sensory perception. It causes hallucinations and a much stronger euphoric rush than what nicotine offers.
If only drugs provide intense psychoactive highs, do cigars give you a buzz instead? That’s one sensible way of looking at it. While cigars can enhance your mood, they are unlikely to disorient you. This buzz also doesn’t last as long as a ’true’ high.
Nicotine’s Effect on Your Brain
Nicotine is the reason cigars can give you a buzz. As your body absorbs nicotine, your brain releases chemicals like dopamine and norepinephrine.
Dopamine is linked with pleasure and relaxation. Norepinephrine can make you feel more alert and focused. Together, they can create that calm-but-awake feeling many cigar smokers describe.
That feeling is real, but it is better described as a nicotine buzz, not a true high.
Why is a Cigar Buzz Different?
| Cigar | Cigarette | |
| Nicotine Content | 100–200 mg | 8–12 mg |
| Typical Smoking Time | 30 minutes – 2 hours | 5–10 minutes |
| Absorption Pathway | Through the mouth lining (slower absorption) | Through the lungs (faster absorption) |
| Buzz Character | Slow-building, longer-lasting, mellow | Quick hit, short-lived |
Factors That Influence the “High” Feeling
It is possible to generalize about the effects of cigars. Nonetheless, the exact effects depend on various factors.
This helps to explain why some cigar smokers think they do get high. Some rookie mistakes can bring on nasty effects when you smoke. These are easy to mistake for psychoactive highs associated with cannabis usage.
So, can a cigar make you high? In a sense, yes, as long as you keep your expectations in check. There are certain things you can do to either strengthen or rein in the ‘highs’ of cigar smoking. Here are several of the key factors at play:
1. Nicotine Tolerance
How do cigars make you feel when you’re inexperienced with them? The nicotine rush is likely to feel overwhelming. Conversely, if you regularly consume nicotine, your body can acclimate to it.
In other words, avid, experienced cigar smokers are less likely to get the ‘high’. At the same time, this doesn’t mean they will never get it. They can just resort to stronger-bodied stogies, like the Cohiba Robusto. Alternatively, they can prolong their smoking sessions.
2. Type of Cigar
It’s a simple equation. The more nicotine you consume, the stronger the buzz you can get. Larger cigars naturally contain more nicotine. So, it stands to reason that larger cigars also generally give a bigger buzz.
You also need to consider each cigar’s advertised strength. There are various categories of cigar strength, including ‘light’, ‘medium’, and ‘full’.
Stronger cigars deliver a more powerful burst of nicotine. Nonetheless, also keep in mind which cigar strengths you are already used to. Jumping too far between strengths (from ‘light’ to ‘full’) can be overwhelming.
3. Method of Smoking
It’s up to you how quickly you smoke. However, taking a puff too frequently can make you sick. It’s generally better to opt for longer intervals between puffs. This will enable your bloodstream to absorb more of the nicotine.
Another option is to inhale more of the cigar smoke. Be careful not to inhale too much of it, though. The trick is to intensify the buzz without inducing nausea.
4. How Much of the Cigar You Smoke
A few puffs may only give you a mild buzz. A longer session, especially with a larger or fuller cigar, can feel stronger as more nicotine builds up in your system.
5. Smoking Environment
Where you smoke can shape the experience, too. Outdoors, the smoke may feel lighter. In a lounge or smaller indoor space, the cigar may feel more intense. A calm, well-ventilated spot usually makes for a better smoke.
Can You Control the Cigar Buzz?
You can. A cigar buzz is not the same every time. The cigar, your pace, and your tolerance all play a part.
To keep it comfortable:
- Take a few puffs, then wait and see how you feel.
- Smoke slowly instead of puffing too often.
- Drink water during the session.
- Smoke after a meal rather than on an empty stomach.
- Put the cigar down if the buzz starts feeling unpleasant. You do not have to finish it.
The Cigar Buzz
It’s called a ‘buzz’ because it’s a very distinctive reaction. You’ll feel calm but also alert. However, this is only a brief description. As we have established, various factors affect the sensation.
At least one thing we can say is that it’s a complex sensation. Here are answers to just a few questions you are likely to have about it.
How Long Does a Cigar Buzz Last?
This very much depends on your nicotine intake. This can be driven by multiple factors, as explained earlier. The buzz can linger for as little as half an hour or as long as two hours. The duration of your own buzz is likely to fall somewhere between those gateposts.
It can take hours for your body to metabolize and eliminate all of the nicotine you absorb from a cigar. Half of this nicotine will typically go in about two hours.
The first hour in particular can be the ‘peak’ time of the buzz. However, don’t be surprised if you get residual effects for a few hours after that.
Are There Side Effects of a Cigar Buzz?
Sometimes the buzz stops feeling good. That usually means you smoked too fast, picked a cigar that was too strong, or had one before eating.
Dizziness, nausea, sweating, or a racing heartbeat are signs to take a break. Put the cigar down, get some air, and drink water.
A good cigar should be enjoyed slowly. There is no prize for finishing it.
Cigar vs Cigarette: Is the Buzz Different?
Whether you smoke a cigar or a cigarette, you will absorb nicotine. So, in either instance, your body will release the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine.
The former isn’t known as the ‘pleasure chemical’ for nothing. It’s responsible for the soothing, euphoric effect of cigars. The norepinephrine, meanwhile, is what sharpens your focus.
So, cigarettes can also give you a buzz, thanks to the nicotine. The nature of the buzz, though, remains very different. With cigarettes, the sensation is usually more fleeting and less intense.
Get Your Next Buzz with Swiss Cuban Cigars
Do cigars give you a buzz? The answer can depend on where you get your sticks. Too many brands prioritize price over quality. This is a false economy when the tobacco tastes disconcertingly bland as a result.
That’s why we at Swiss Cuban Cigars only offer stogies from premium brands. We aren’t just cigar sellers. We are cigar experts, knowing from personal experience what makes a truly quality cigar. Whether you’re a newbie or a veteran when it comes to cigars, be our guest. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you can’t decide which stogie to buy. You can call +1 (850) 364-4421 or email [email protected].
