So - are we getting it or are we not - nicotine

[IANAN]

In search of an alternative to WTA (Whole Tobacco Alkaloid Extract)

Basically I am deriving this as something that most likely would not/could not be under the FDA pervue to help increase the effectiveness of vaping- to give the something extra. Okay I am posting this if anyone wishes to follow along (I won't be sending samples )...

The items for the most part should be readily available from either A. Your local Grocery Store or B. Available at most local vitamin/herbal supplement store as well as available online. Total outlay (Assuming you have coffee pot) should be about 20 USD or less. The method is relatively safe and requires no chemistry background.

What I am using/have already used (AKA What you need and experiment design);

1. A Coffee Pot
2. 4 cups of Coffee (I am using plain old Maxwell House coffee brewed to the instructions on the can- use whatever type of coffee you want)
3. A supply of dark Chocolate ( I am using Dove dark chocolate Promises brand for portion control) 3-4 squares a day
4. Herbal supplements (Brand Names listed as manufactures tend to have different processing methods, QA, Etc)... Nature's Way Cat's Claw Bark (1,455 mg strength), Swanson Full-Spectrum Passion Flower (500 mg strength), and Nature's Bounty Valerian Root (450 mg) plus Calming Blend (100 mg contains Passion Flower Extract)- 2 capsules a day

Additional notes: Have taken 50,000 I.U. dose of Beta Carotene (Vitamin A) and 800 I.U does of dl-Alpha (Vitamin E) for around 5 years now. Also am substituting 4 cups of coffee for the part of the 6-8 cups of tea I normally consume per day (Eg; will only consume 3-4 cups of tea in addition to the coffee). Am using 24 mg nicotine (Various flavors) e-liquid,obtained from .........., vaped in either a e-cig E-9 or RN4081 . Previous smoking habit was 2-3+ packs a day.

Will report on;

1. Desire to smoke
2. Mental Awareness state (Mental Fog)
3. Anxiety (Relaxed state) and restlessness
4. Perceived GI (Gastro-intestinal) effects including effects on bowl movements
5. Effectiveness of and frequency of vaping sessions to reduce cravings
6. Number of traditional cigarettes consumed (If any)

Will log the effects each day.

Methodology;

1. 2 cups of coffee in the AM, one at lunch, and one in the early evening.
2. Two capsules of herbal supplements per day (one on the AM and one in the evening)
3. Chocolate throughout the day with PV when desire to smoke instead of vape occurs

Length of time with each herbal suplement-

One week will be given for each herbal supplement and one week for no herabal suplements but with chocolate and coffee.

Suplement order;

Week 1. Cat's Claw
Week 2. Passion Flower
Week 3. No Herbal Suplements- Just coffee and chocolate
Week 4. Valerian + Passion Flower Extract (Valerian I already know takes a few days to leave the system).. This one may be cut short as I already tried Valerian for 3 days without coffee and it was effective but caused drowsiness.

[kinabaloo]

Ianan - have you checked your mail?

[IANAN]

Yes... Came across the same thing in the lit review/research I did.

I have very carefully chosen the herbal supplements, even though there may be others more potent than what I am using.

[Vaporer]

Ok folks,
Round one of what I designate as Liquid Analog is over.
The less than .5ml of WTA was added to 2ml of daily stock vaping liquid for the final tapering off day following the 50% mix yesterday.
I don't expect any problems, but it's only prudent to keep a watch on it.

It was a pleasure to help out in more ways than one and I hope round 2 has the same successes.

[kinabaloo]

Yes... Came across the same thing in the lit review/research I did.

I have very carefully chosen the herbal supplements, even though there may be others more potent than what I am using.

My suggestion was not more potent, but far more concentrated in the natural plant material and so more easilt extracted. Works out at the incredibly cheap 1 cent per ml @3.6mg/ml (10% of the nic concentration).

But I see you want to use whole herbs.

I would choose differently though even in that use because I'd want to avoid psychotropic effects.

I still have one eye on searching for an eliquid additive, for which my suggestion was the only good candidate so far (having reasonable psychoactive effect and worthwhile extrating from). Any way, will be interesting to see how it goes.

Also interesting to note how many people gravitate to coffee and chocolate (even if no alkaloids in the flavorings, could be a matter of association); quite a few are brewing their own coffee flavoring.

[Kurt]

I think I have shown that playing with the curing would be a way to affect carboline levels (and HCAs in general unfortunately; a very blunt instrument); like any other product maker, will alter the product to increase sales.

And now it is clear why sugar is added to processed foods, even bread. And it has to do with more than sweetness. Addiction to processed foods is becoming as big a health hazard as smoking.

Maybe even more, Kin. You don't see 10 year olds with lung cancer, but you do see a huge spike in juvenile onset diabetes from high fructose corn sweetener and over-processed flour. Insulin makers cash cow.

[IANAN]

I agree your suggestion would make a good additive to e-liquid and literature supports inhaling the substance provides a calming effect , but as you surmise, I am looking at whole herbs and easily obtainable food stuffs.

[kinabaloo]

Kurt - yes, syndrome X etc. But the reaction of sugars and proteins that create some carbolines could be key to creating the 'addiction to these foods.

Ianan - The MAO alkaloid phenyethylamine in chocolate is almost all metabolised before reaching the brain, and similar results are likely with other alkaloids. Inhalation might prove much more effective in reaching the brain.

Otherwise it might be better to look at precursors. (For example, at one time I would take a few grams of glutamine (an amino acid / protein) before sleep to boost human growth hormone).

[kinabaloo]

I agree your suggestion would make a good additive to e-liquid and literature supports inhaling the substance provides a calming effect , but as you surmise, I am looking at whole herbs and easily obtainable food stuffs.

What I had in mind works out at about $3 to add beta carbolines to 300ml of e-liquid. Or 1 cent per ml.

Could be used via a simple alcohol/water soak or purified using standard acid/alkali cycling.

[olderthandirt]

Ok folks,
Round one of what I designate as Liquid Analog is over.
The less than .5ml of WTA was added to 2ml of daily stock vaping liquid for the final tapering off day following the 50% mix yesterday.
I don't expect any problems, but it's only prudent to keep a watch on it.

It was a pleasure to help out in more ways than one and I hope round 2 has the same successes.

I thought you might have been the 1st lab rat. Now that your going to be winding completely off the WTA, will be of interest.

Thanks Vaporer!