Why Do People Feel Sick After Visiting Hookah Lounges?

I still vividly remember my first hookah lounge experience.  It felt exotic and cozy at the same time, evoking a sense of nostalgia for something I'd never experienced before.  The sound of music mingled with the sounds of conversations in many languages.  Warm lighting filled the room and the shadows cast a tapestry that moved with thin wisps of smoke trailing through the air.  It was like being in a really great movie or book.

Even though there was smoke in the air, it smelled sweet, like peaches and mint with hints of floral notes peeking through.  The fragrances permeated the cushions, the furniture, and eventually, my clothes.

Everything unfolded slowly, in a relaxed and purposeful way.  No one was in a rush, no one was glued to any screens—just people passing hoses, inhaling deeply, and exhaling fully into a space designed to hold it all.  I wasn’t there because smoking was my thing; in fact, I hated smoking.  I was there because it offered the possibility of a new way to connect, to be present.

I left that night having fallen in love with one of the single greatest tools for evoking presence and connection through the art and ritual of Hookah. 

But, unfortunately, not everyone has this kind of experience.  Somewhere between cozy comfort and the ride home, people notice something feeling a bit off.  It might be a dull pressure behind their eyes.  A queasy stomach.  A heaviness settling into their heads, leading to headaches that last for hours.

Though this doesn't happen to everyone, it can and does happen, so the question is: why?

Why does a ritual centered on togetherness sometimes leave people feeling sick?  How does something designed for joy and connection turn into physical discomfort?

This piece isn’t about the Hookah ritual—it’s about understanding how poor practices, motivated by apathy, greed, and stupidity, have altered it, and what you can do to continue enjoying the experience without the unwanted after-effects.

What Really Happens During a Hookah Session

We often imagine the bubbling water acting as a gentle filter, but the reality is that water does not filter any of the harmful compounds in Hookah smoke; it only cools down the smoke.  Always remember, Hookah smoke contains:

• Carbon Monoxide (CO), an invisible, odorless gas that is produced from burning charcoal.  It binds aggressively to the hemoglobin in your blood, depriving your body of oxygen. For you, scientifically minded out there, the chemical reaction looks like this:

2C(s) + O₂(g) → 2CO(g)

• Carbon Monoxide exposure is a major reason some people experience headaches and nausea after going to poorly ventilated Hookah lounges or using charcoal that is either not fully lit, low quality, or quick-light charcoal that is often soaked in chemicals.

• Nicotine: Even some "herbal blends" can contain nicotine.  While Nicotine may not be the villain it has been portrayed to be in the media, it is a highly addictive compound and stimulant that can lead to dizziness, nausea, and headaches, especially in Hookah Tobacco brands that deliberately infuse their blends with massive doses of nicotine.

• Your Condition: If you're hungry, dehydrated, or tired, using a Hookah will likely make you feel sick. 

Remember, because most Hookah sessions and lounge visits are prolonged, your body absorbs these compounds gradually, and their cumulative effect might not be felt immediately. 

Creating a Cleaner, Safer Hookah Session

If the Hookah ritual resonates with you, it's worth making intentional choices.  Tools like the Kaloud Ayara filters can significantly improve your experience by absorbing some of the ultra-fine particles in the smoke, leading to a cleaner, smoother session. 

Combine this with natural coconut charcoal, proper heat management with tools like the Kaloud Lotus and Sitra Thermal Diffuser, in well-ventilated spaces, and you're geared up for a much safer and more enjoyable session.

Avoid counterfeit and cheaply made Hookah products.  There's no doubt that being frugal and budget-conscious is an admirable quality, but too many lounges, retailers, and Hookah enthusiasts cut corners on quality that can, and often does, have terrible impacts on their short and long-term health.  There is no price you can put on your well-being, so choose wisely when participating in a Hookah ritual. 

How to Reduce the Side Effects of Hookah

Whether at a lounge or home, small adjustments make a big difference:

• Drink plenty of water before and after sessions.

• Choose lounges with natural coconut charcoal and good airflow.

• Confirm that they use high-quality, authentic equipment and that they clean properly. 

• Use a personal mouthpiece; one that is either reusable or an option like the Cybele Fully Compostable Disposable Hookah Mouth Tips. 

• You don't have to chase giant clouds every time; sometimes, smaller puffs paced out over time are actually more pleasurable.

• Integrate a filtration tool like the Kaloud Ayara Activated Carbon Filters.

When to Take Symptoms Seriously

Most side effects fade with rest and hydration, but certain signs require immediate attention:

• Persistent chest pain

• Severe breathing difficulty

• Vomiting

• Loss of consciousness

• Profound fatigue or confusion

These symptoms mean your body needs medical attention urgently. Don’t ignore these signals and get to a medical facility immediately.

The Hookah Ritual Still Matters

I continue to cherish the experiences I've had over the years.  The peace, the deep conversations, the shared laughter, the connection—they're all still central to the reasons I love Hookah.  But now I approach the experience with greater awareness.  Awareness of where I am, what the equipment is, and how I feel before, during, and after the Hookah ritual. 

What we breathe in matters.  Everything from the quality of the charcoal, the cleanliness of Hookahs, and mindful choices all play critical roles.  Keeping these things in mind hasn’t diminished my enjoyment—instead, it has deepened it.

Taking care of our bodies isn’t abandoning tradition; it’s reclaiming the essence of all that makes the Hookah ritual meaningful.

 

Visit Kaloud to see more ways to enjoy the Hookah ritual.