Is nicotine by itself an anxiety reliever?

[happyonnic]

Well I dont have any clinical data for you but here is my experience: I quit smoking for close to 4 years and used no nic whatsoever, I did however become a daily drinker (2 cases of beer a week) mainly becuase of anxiety issues. About a month ago I started vaping and my anxiety is gone. I have only had a few drinks in 4 weeks, and I was getting concerned that I was becoming an alchoholic. I had to have a drink soon as work was over, I often stopped on the way home and took a chance with an open container in order to get my fix. Since vaping I mysteriously have no need for a drink. I'm not sure how this fits in to the science of it but nic alone sure seems to do wonders for my anxiety. I feel more myself than I have in 4 years! Any explainations?

[MadScientistVapor]

Interesting, I never knew, or felt, that there are any other addicting substances in tobacco. When I switched to PV's , I experienced no w/d and quit in 3 days. I also have depression, anxiety, and am a complete drug addict. Every time I smoke a cig, it's just gross and no more satisfactory than vaping. Are there any proven and documented psychoactives in tobacco other than nicotine?

[TWISTED VICTOR]

Interesting, I never knew, or felt, that there are any other addicting substances in tobacco. When I switched to PV's , I experienced no w/d and quit in 3 days. I also have depression, anxiety, and am a complete drug addict. Every time I smoke a cig, it's just gross and no more satisfactory than vaping. Are there any proven and documented psychoactives in tobacco other than nicotine?

Studies seem to be more in abundance than we originally thought. The maoi effects are inherent to the tobacco, not something added in by the smoke manufacturers. That's not to say they haven't added chemicals to enhance the effects.
It's great if the PV is holding you steady and if it continues to do so, look no further. I did pretty well for about a month, but eventually the strings that hold me together started to unravel. In the long run I started using Swedish snus for the maoi's to make the depression go away and hold the anxiety in check. Sounds as if your experience with vaping and your psychological make-up are very similar to mine. If the seas get rough in the coming weeks, look me up in the "Smokeless Tobacco" sub-forum Smokeless tobacco - E-Cigarette Forum .

[wmrwl]

Wikipedia isn't always 100% accurate but these few tidbits on their nicotine article seem to make sense:
1. "Nicotine's mood-altering effects are different by report: in particular it is both a stimulant and a relaxant. First causing a release of glucose from the liver and epinephrine (adrenaline) from the adrenal medulla, it causes stimulation. Users report feelings of relaxation, sharpness, calmness, and alertness."
2. "What appears to be relaxation, is merely the effect of ending the craving for Nicotine. The longer the periods between Nicotine intake, the greater the illusion of pleasure will be."

[Evista]

Well if you are addicted to nicotine as most of us here are then the lack of nicotine will certainly cause anxiety. We need our fix.

Do our heart-beat increased when getting our fix satisfied?