Analog vs. E-cigarette in terms of cravings

[nonamebrand]

Former pack a day smoker here. Been using my e-cig exclusively for over 2 weeks now. Just wanted to point out an observation I've made.

When I smoked analogs, as soon as I craved like a mad man. I would turn into a crack-head knocking things over looking for my pack of smokes. Smokes were life and eating food was just optional. Smokes were number 1. And if I didn't get my smoke when I had a craving, I would put my hand or head through the wall or both. Anyways I think you get the point, the cravings were bad.

Fast forward to e-cigs. When I wake up in the morning I don't vape. I don't have that craving anymore. I wake up, check my emails and whatever online, then eat breakfast. I noticed after I eat I get cravings. But nothing compared the raging cravings I had when I smoked analogs.

I even go out and leave my e-cig at home sometimes.

What is happening here?

[LuckySevens4U]

Originally Posted by nonamebrand

Former pack a day smoker here. Been using my e-cig exclusively for over 2 weeks now. Just wanted to point out an observation I've made.

When I smoked analogs, as soon as I craved like a mad man. I would turn into a crack-head knocking things over looking for my pack of smokes. Smokes were life and eating food was just optional. Smokes were number 1. And if I didn't get my smoke when I had a craving, I would put my hand or head through the wall or both. Anyways I think you get the point, the cravings were bad.

Fast forward to e-cigs. When I wake up in the morning I don't vape. I don't have that craving anymore. I wake up, check my emails and whatever online, then eat breakfast. I noticed after I eat I get cravings. But nothing compared the raging cravings I had when I smoked analogs.

I even go out and leave my e-cig at home sometimes.

What is happening here?

Funny, I'm doing the EXACT same thing. I don't vape the 2nd I get up at all. I know EXACTLY what it is. The added chemicals in the analogs had us freaking addicted also to them and we are finally getting those out of our system. I truly believe that is what it is. I think also many are vaping way too much nic and too high because they think they need it, but they really don't need as much as they think they do.

[Bellinghamster]

I can only respond with my own experience, I'm no expert.

2 things are happening here:

1) You have eliminated the chemical additives present in analog cigarettes. These additives are addictive in their own right, and amplify the effect of withdrawal. Withdrawal from nicotine alone could never be as cruel as the withdrawal from cigarettes.

2) You have disrupted your patterns. This is a time-honored addiction breaking tactic. Stop smoking programs have always told us to change up our routines to improve our chances of cessation. The thing is, sometimes it really does work that way.

It doesn't always happen this way for folks, so enjoy your newly found control, congrats!!

[Calaban]

I have experienced the same thing, although I usually do vape first thing. But my cravings for nicotine are way less serious than before. It could also be that I am getting more nicotine than I used to...I have my 901 in my lips almost constantly.

Someone recently posted an interesting link to a speech given by some doctor in the mid nineties. The general idea was that nicotine isn't nearly as addictive as once thought, if it's addictive at all.

I'm CERTAIN that the cocktail of chemicals in analogs are the real reason for CIGARETTE addiction (besides hand to mouth and habitual reasons).

[nonamebrand]

Thanks for reading and responding everyone. I just have to say this forum is the best I've ever been on in terms of community and support.

YES! The same thing has been on my mind daily. These evil effin' tobacco companies must be lacing analogs with just more than a little nicotine. I really like how Bellinghamster put it in words. There must be chemicals that amplify the hell outta the nicotine withdrawal. With analogs I would knock stuff off of tables and throw things around my room looking for my pack of smokes. If I waited long enough my hands would shake and I wouldn't be able to start my day or continue my work without my fix. My life would come to a complete halt until I either got my analogs or the craving went away. The withdrawal with analogs is very very cruel indeed.

For me the morning analog was always the harshest. The morning analog always felt the unhealthiest. After the morning analog I would get a major head-rush or feel a bit dizzy and lose my energy that I needed to get started for the day. But the craving was so strong for that analog...that I would always give in to the physical need I felt.

Calaban, for the first few days my DSE901 was glued to my lips. But now I find I mostly vape after I eat. That's when I get that image in my head of myself vaping and relaxing which makes me run to my 901. I'm vaping 16mg juice btw. But in the mornings I can go up to 2 hours without even thinking of vaping, but as soon as I finish eating, BAM! The thought of vaping enters my head.