Why Do You Sometimes Feel Dizzy When Burning Incense Sticks?

Greetings, incense lovers. Chris Chen here from Monian.

Lighting an incense stick is supposed to make the room feel softer: a little less noise, a little more breathing space. Yet for some people, the opposite happens. After a few minutes, you start to feel dizzy, light-headed, or slightly nauseous. Sometimes a headache joins in.

So why do you sometimes feel dizzy when burning incense sticks—and what can you do about it?

Quick answer: why incense can make you feel dizzy？

You may feel dizzy when burning incense sticks because the smoke changes the air you breathe:

• Combustion can produce carbon monoxide (CO) and reduce the amount of oxygen available to your brain.
• Incense smoke carries fine particles (PM) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can irritate your airways and nervous system.
• Strong synthetic fragrances or certain essential oils can trigger fragrance sensitivity, migraines, or nausea, especially in small, poorly ventilated rooms.
• If you already have asthma, allergies, low blood pressure, or frequent headaches, you may react faster than others.

The good news: with better ventilation, shorter burn times, and cleaner formulations—especially high-quality, natural incense—you can often enjoy incense without feeling unwell.

How burning incense changes the air you breathe

1. Carbon monoxide: less oxygen reaching your brain

Any time you burn something indoors, incomplete combustion can create carbon monoxide (CO), a colorless, odorless gas. CO binds to hemoglobin in your blood more strongly than oxygen does, which means your tissues—and your brain—receive less oxygen.

Even at relatively low levels, this can show up as:

• Dizziness or light-headedness
• Headache or a feeling of “pressure” in the head
• Fatigue and difficulty concentrating

If the room is small, windows are closed, or multiple sticks are burning at once, CO and other combustion gases can build up more quickly.

2. Particles and VOCs: tiny irritants in the smoke

Incense smoke is not just “nice smell.” It is a complex mix of:

• Fine particles (PM2.5) – tiny pieces of ash and combustion residue that can travel deep into your lungs.
• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) – such as benzene, formaldehyde, and toluene, which have been documented in incense smoke.

For some people, inhaling this mix—even for a short time—can lead to:

• Throat or chest tightness
• Mild nausea or queasiness
• Headaches and a “foggy” feeling
• Dizziness, especially if you stand up quickly or stay very close to the smoke

The more concentrated the smoke (small room, no ventilation, multiple sticks), the more likely these symptoms become.

3. Synthetic fragrances: the hidden trigger for dizziness

Many mass-market incense sticks rely on synthetic fragrance blends to create strong, modern scents. These can include:

• Phthalates and other fragrance carriers
• Artificial musks and aroma chemicals
• Preservatives and colorants

For fragrance-sensitive people, this mix can irritate the respiratory system and directly affect the nervous system, leading to:

• Headaches or migraines
• Brain fog and difficulty focusing
• Nausea and dizziness

If you notice that perfume-like incense or very sweet, heavy scents make you dizzy much faster than subtle, earthy ones, synthetic fragrance load is a likely culprit.

Personal factors that make dizziness from incense more likely

The same stick that feels “relaxing” to one person can make another person feel instantly sick. This does not mean anything is wrong with you. It simply means your body is more reactive.

You are more likely to feel dizzy from incense if:

• You have asthma or other chronic respiratory conditions
• You are prone to migraines or smell-triggered headaches
• You have allergies or diagnosed fragrance sensitivity
• Your blood pressure tends to run low
• You are pregnant, recovering from illness, or generally run fatigued
• You sit very close to the burner or inhale the smoke directly

These personal factors add on top of room size, ventilation, and incense quality.

When dizziness from incense is most likely to happen

You are more likely to feel dizzy or unwell when:

• The room is small and windows are closed
• You burn multiple sticks at once or burn them back-to-back
• The incense is charcoal-based, extremely smoky, or heavily perfumed
• You stay very close to the burner (for example, at a small desk)
• Other sources of combustion (candles, cigarettes, gas stove) are also present
• You are already tired, hungry, anxious, or dehydrated

If you notice a pattern—such as “I always feel dizzy when I burn incense in my bedroom with the door closed”—that is valuable information. Your body is telling you the current burning conditions are too intense.

How to burn incense more safely and reduce dizziness

You do not have to abandon incense altogether. Instead, treat your dizziness as a signal to adjust your environment, timing, and incense type.

• Improve ventilation
  • Open a window or door before lighting the stick.
  • Use a small fan to keep air moving, but avoid pointing it directly at the flame.
• Burn fewer sticks, for less time
  • Start with one stick at a time.
  • Let only half or two-thirds of the stick burn, then extinguish it safely.
• Sit away from the direct smoke path
  • Place the burner slightly off to the side, not directly under your nose.
  • Avoid leaning over the smoke or inhaling it intentionally.
• Choose cleaner formulations
  • Prefer natural incense sticks made from wood powders, resins, and plant-based binders.
  • Avoid products that list only “fragrance” or “parfum” without detail, or that are strongly dyed and overly perfumed.
• Watch how your body responds
  • If you feel dizzy, light-headed, or short of breath, put the stick out, open a window, and step into fresh air.
  • Take a mental note of the scent, brand, and room conditions so you can adjust next time.

Is natural incense always safe?

Natural incense is not a magic shield. It still produces:

• Smoke
• Particles
• Small amounts of CO

However, high-quality natural incense:

• Avoids charcoal bases that can greatly increase smoke and CO production.
• Uses plant powders and resins instead of synthetic fillers and plastic-like binders.
• Skips aggressive synthetic perfumes that frequently trigger headaches and dizziness.

The result is a cleaner, lighter burn that many sensitive people find more tolerable—especially in a well-ventilated space and at moderate burning times.

At Monian, our natural incense collection is made with finely ground woods, resins, and plant-based binders, designed to support calm rather than overwhelm the senses. But even with natural incense, we always recommend good ventilation and listening to your body.

When to stop burning incense and talk to a doctor

Dizziness that goes away quickly once you open a window and extinguish the stick is usually a sign of short-term irritation or mild CO/VOC exposure.

However, you should stop burning incense and seek medical advice if you notice:

• Persistent or worsening dizziness
• Chest pain, palpitations, or shortness of breath
• Confusion, trouble speaking, or unusual weakness
• Severe headaches, vomiting, or loss of consciousness

Incense should never make you feel like you are “fighting for air.” When in doubt, treat your symptoms seriously and consult a qualified healthcare professional. This guide is for education, not diagnosis.

How to choose safer incense sticks

When you are shopping for incense, use this checklist:

• Clear ingredient list
  • Look for named woods (sandalwood, agarwood, cedar), resins (frankincense, myrrh), herbs, and spices.
• No vague “fragrance” labels
  • Be cautious of products that only say “fragrance” or “parfum” without details.
• No charcoal base if you are sensitive
  • Charcoal can burn hot and smoky, increasing CO and particle levels.
• Natural binders
  • Traditional plant-based gums and makko powders burn more cleanly than synthetic glues.
• Transparent, specialist brands
  • Look for brands that are clear about their sourcing, philosophy, and testing—not just their scent names.

If a brand does not tell you what you are breathing in, consider that an answer.

FAQ: common questions about dizziness and incense

Can incense sticks really cause dizziness?

Yes. For some people, incense smoke can cause dizziness, light-headedness, headaches, or nausea, especially in poorly ventilated rooms or with highly perfumed, synthetic incense.

Is dizziness from incense dangerous?

Occasional mild dizziness that resolves quickly with fresh air is usually a sign that the air has become too polluted for your body’s comfort. However, persistent or severe dizziness—especially with chest pain, confusion, or very bad headaches—should be taken seriously. In that case, stop burning incense and seek medical advice.

Does natural incense still produce carbon monoxide?

Yes. Any burning material produces some CO and particles. Natural incense simply removes extra synthetic chemicals and charcoal, which can reduce overall toxic load. You still need good ventilation and reasonable burn times.

What if I still feel dizzy even with windows open?

Try moving the burner further away, burning half a stick instead of the whole stick, and switching to a different scent or brand, preferably lighter, natural blends. If you continue to feel unwell, incense may not be suitable for you right now, and that is okay.

Is incense safe for children, pets, or pregnant people?

Children, pregnant people, and animals are often more sensitive to air pollution and fragrances. Burn less often, for shorter periods, keep them out of the immediate smoke path, and talk to a healthcare professional if you have any concerns.

Closing thoughts: listening to your body and your space

If incense sometimes makes you dizzy, your body is not overreacting. It is giving you useful feedback about air quality, fragrance load, and your current state.

By improving ventilation, burning less, and choosing cleaner, natural incense sticks, you can often keep the calm ritual and lose the unpleasant side effects. And if your body still says “no,” honour that message—there are many other ways to invite peace into your space.