Addicted to Nic, or just the Habit?

[Baditude]

Nicotine addiction only lasts so long and then your body is over it, but I enjoyed the physical act of smoking and seeing smoke, it's like meditating to me. I don't ever intend to stop vaping. I did not start with the intention of weening myself off cigs and then reducing nicotine until i was down to 0 then quit... I see so many ppl who get into vaping and treat it like a nicotine patch. I feel like we don't need the nicotine as much as the act of vaping, something to do instead of smoking.

I totally agree with your conclusion.

Smoking cigarettes is much more than an addiction to nicotine. There are nearly a thousand toxic chemicals found in cigarette smoke that we are also addicted to.

But there is more to the habit than that: the behavioral components of the habit:

1. Physical addiction to nicotine and those other toxic chemicals.
2. Psychological addiction of that "hand-to-mouth" behavior associated with smoking.
3. Psychological need to "inhale and exhale" smoke or vapor associated with the habit.

That is why the nicotine patches, gum, lozenges, prescription drugs, and hypnosis didn't work for me. They didn't address the last two factors, where vaping addressed all three.

I've cut my nic strength from 18mg down to 3 mg over the years. If I had to, I could go down to zero nic, but I still enjoy a little bit of nic. I have no intention to ever quit vaping.

 

[Snicks]

@Baditude I don't always see eye to eye with you (SMOK related) but when i do I do completely.

You hit the nail square on the head. It is the act of vaping/smoking that is enjoyable and for me I do not doubt that I will always vape. I may vape at 0mg but I enjoy the act of vaping and will continue to do so. I too like a bit of nicotine so 6 or 3mg I think is perfect.

 

[uthinkofsomething]

I knew this would be a good conversation.

 

[r77r7r]

I knew this would be a good conversation.

You really enjoy the taste still? Most people say that they are nasty.

 

[Belhade]

A few years ago I tried going 0 nic but as others said, something was missing. Back up to 3mg and it's been smooth sailing. I do chain vape DL which is for the hand-to-mouth and the sensory aspects, not necessarily the nic.

 

[JD4x4]

For me it was/is simple. I need, want, and use nicotine. I smoked since I was 13 and was at 2 packs a day when I quit the same day I tried vaping (1 week before my 60th bday 6 years ago). I read a study on nicotine use and how the amount taken in over a time period determines the effect you get.

Slow and moderate ingestion (like at a bar or social event) relaxes and calms. Fast and intense ingestion (we used to call it hot-boxing; lots of deep, rapid inhales until the ash is an inch long glowing ember, lol) increases and heightens your motor skills/dexterity and cognition. After thinking about that I realized that every time I smoked it was one of those two methods, each for one of those two outcomes, and every time I quit I was a fidigity wreck and couldn't concentrate or do anything with my hands. At age 60 I was more and more at risk for cancer the longer I smoked, and nicotine doesn't cause cancer. What's not to like? Yeah I'm an "addict". A benign "addict" and if I didn't tell you, you wouldn't know.. so go away. lol

Nicotine use under the age of 21? You might not like this but I can't help but wonder if I'd need the nic in those occasions I do now had I not started so early. As a flaming Libertarian it's hard for me to say that I support a age 21 and under prohibition for never users, but as an older adult I think I have a responsibility to call it "tough love".

 

[uthinkofsomething]

You really enjoy the taste still? Most people say that they are nasty.

No I really don't. More the act that I enjoy. And as soon as it's gone I want my vape immediately. Cigs don't satisfy my addiction now and if I smoke more than one it's terrible... My wife still smokes when she drinks occasionally I'm tempted but I always regret it and usually do without. But yeah, if I'm drinking sometimes one is fun.

 

[TVC70]

I think the act of inhaling something, feeling throat hit, and then exhaling a cloud are more addictive to me than actual nicotine. I've tried going a day in the past with 0 nic a few times, and I didn't feel like I was going to freak out and start kicking puppies, but the lack of throat hit bugged me; I really missed it. I mix my juice now with just enough nic to give me some TH (about 3mg/ml for my vaping style and gear).

 

[FranC]

A few years ago I tried mixing my DIY testers with no nic. I found it wasn't a good way to test flavors because everything tasted flat.

 

[TVC70]

A few years ago I tried mixing my DIY testers with no nic. I found it wasn't a good way to test flavors because everything tasted flat.

I always vape "flavorless/unflavored" juice, but I do notice a difference in the taste between 0 nic and nic juice. Interesting to know that it is also apparent in juices with added flavors.

 

[uthinkofsomething]

A few years ago I tried mixing my DIY testers with no nic. I found it wasn't a good way to test flavors because everything tasted flat.

Some companies do samples in 0 nic only because they say you get a better sense of the flavor but I agree with you, dessert flavors benefit from a little nic especially.

 

[E-name_w_E-cig]

Nicotine addiction until something(s) great, good, or not as bad substitutes it for "throat hit" while keeping high vegetable glycerin levels for plumes.

 

[LyLyV]

I've been vaping about four years, all subohm for the last three. Every rare once in a while I'll hit a cigarette. I enjoy the first one but that's all I can do, and that makes me happy.
Something I hear ppl talk about so frequently is fighting the cravings with nicotine when quiting. I often felt that quiting smoking for me was an easy choice. Nicotine addiction only lasts so long and then your body is over it, but I enjoyed the physical act of smoking and seeing smoke, it's like meditating to me. I don't ever intend to stop vaping. I did not start with the intention of weening myself off cigs and then reducing nicotine until i was down to 0 then quit... I see so many ppl who get into vaping and treat it like a nicotine patch. I feel like we don't need the nicotine as much as the act of vaping, something to do instead of smoking.

I don't think I'm addicted to nicotine. I can go hours by accident without vaping (then I suddenly miss it). I quit smoking decades ago (smoked from age 15 to 27). I do like the sensation of vaping, and the physical aspect of it. And of course, the taste of various liquids. I like the feeling of it, and like you, it's calming for me. And, it just gives me something to do. I guess it's my personal version of the 'fidget spinner' but it's a little more rewarding. Maybe part of me feels like it appeals to my rebellious side, I don't know. I like it - but I don't seem to need it. Whereas I do remember having a difficult time quitting smoking. That .... is truly addictive, but I don't think it's the nicotine. I think it's the crap chemicals that are in the cigs that are the problem. ....Honestly, I remember the "last time" I tried to quit (there were several times), it was significantly more difficult than the first. I am fairly certain they add certain chemicals deliberately to increase their addictive properties.

 

[LyLyV]

^ That is a pretty unusual journey

Snick's journey is not that much different from mine. I smoked for about 13 yrs. Quit at age 27 when I started dating someone who didn't smoke. (I just needed and a serious nudge, I guess.) FF a little over 22 yrs. Was introduced to vaping by a friend. I used to "borrow" his vape when I'd see him till I finally got my own. Seemed like a not-so-terrible "bad" thing to do, and something seemed kinda neat about it, without having all the crazy side-effects. ....I never vaped 24 mg though! ...I basically started with 12 MTL, and now 6 DTL. My 'friend' vapes 3 DTL and he still smokes. I guess I'm "hardcore" LOL
to be honest, I really don't feel the effects of the nic. It's not at all like smoking - and I have ZERO desire to smoke (so that idea that vaping is some kind of a gateway to smoking is pure and utter BS).

 

[Fog n Vape]

Addicted to nic or just the habit? Yes to both.
I was sampling lots of testers this afternoon, made without nic, after a few hours of replacing wicks, note taking, recipe rewrites, I was getting pretty jumpy and had to chain vape some juice with nic in it to get back to "normal".
Interesting that I can go hours without a vape without craving like when I smoked but vaping no nic juice brings on nic cravings. My guess is my brain gets ...... off that it tastes the juice but goes "where's the nic" as it's disappointed.