Could vaping help curb compulsive eating?

[bluedove3]

First off: I am NOT suggesting that nonsmokers vape nicotine.

I want to discuss hypothetically if vaping food-flavored ZERO nic e-juice could possibly work as a reasonably safe alternative to compulsive eating, much in the same way that vaping is a safer alternative to smoking. So don't jump down my hypothetical throat!

I understand that not all the data about vaping is in yet. It's entirely possible that inhaling vaporized e-juice may yet be found to be harmful... but I thing we're all agreed that since the health risks of smoking "analogs" IS well documented, it is very unlikely that vaping could possibly be even remotely as unhealthy, yes?

Similarly, the devastating health risks of obesity are also well documented. In fact, the overall impact of obesity to systemic health is even greater than smoking, especially in the case of morbid obesity. Thus, if vaping could help curb compulsive eating, it would go a LONG way toward helping people maintain their diet programs successfully. Lord knows the plethora of appetite suppressants are not GOOD for you, but they can be worth the risk if they can truly aid in fat-loss.

So my question to all those experienced vapers, (especially those who have moved to 0mg nic, non-tobacco flavors):
Do you think vaping could help reduce the urge to eat compulsively? (Meaning the uncontrollable urge to eat when you are no longer hungry) ie. If someone were having an uncontrollable chocolate craving, would vaping non-nicotine chocolate e-juice satisfy that craving?

Having never vaped anything before, I can't guess whether or not vaping sweet food flavors is really anything like eating sweet food... What do you think?

 

[classwife]

I find that I am not eating the snacks that I used to....

Many years ago there was a mouth spray, different food flavors, for dieting...

Maybe since I get the sweet in my juices (I use mostly desert flavors) I am just not craving the "gotta have something sweet" ???

 

[humarock]

When you quit smoking, your metabolism changes and EVERYONE is very different, some people will lose weight, some will gain, some won't change at all....so it's hard to say as I haven't changed my eating habits at all (and I just finished losing 45 lbs, so I'm VERY aware of my eating) and yet have gained 5 lbs and drinking MORE water than I have even when dieting.....so I don't know how to answer this as it will differ from each person....I know that with my flavored coffees, that is usually something I like as a 'snack' to myself....I'm hoping that when I get to 0nic and flavors only that I could use it as a 'snack moment'....

 

[UntamedRose]

lol thats one of the first things my Nonsmoking mother asked......she's bad about her chocolate craving.

 

[Java_Az]

I think for it could help to a degree. One it would be hard to stuff food in your mouth with a E-cigarette in it already. Although since i have started vaping i dont eat any less or more then i did before hand. I guess if the compulsive eating was based off taste, meaning that person was overeating because they always wanted the taste of food in there mouth the tasty food flavors would help i think almost certainly. But from what i have read about it most people are looking for that gratification feeling you get when you are full. I would say more then likey it wont help in most cases but for short term it would be worth a try. Being over weight can for sure be just as deadly as smoking if not even more deadly. But i have to say this , check with your doctor before hand and get a professional opinion before trying.

 

[Jynn]

I have not been TRYING to lose any weight or change my eating habits at all, but Ive lost about 10lbs since I started vaping a few months ago. I would previously eat snacks out of boredom rather than hunger, and now I find that vaping keeps me occupied just as well.

 

[evilferret]

Nicotine does increase metabolism so if you eat less and use more nicotine I guess its possible to lose weight?

Not sure if the other stuff in cig's increase your metabolism though.

 

[JC Okie]

I've lost about 6 lbs. in 2 & 1/2 months. Wasn't trying to but vaping satisfies my sweet tooth.

 

[Automaton]

Yes, I think it could.

But there are no long-term studies about the effect of vaping. And let's keep in mind we're talking about inhaling stuff that shouldn't strictly be there into your lungs.

E-cigs may be safer than smoking, but that doesn't take much. And even if it's safe short-term, we have no idea what happens 10 years down the line.

Not to mention it builds the compulsive habit of smoking. It's a short leap from there to "Oh, I'll just try a bit of nic juice to see how it feels," or "Oh, I'll just buy one pack because I wonder how this compares to a cigarette."

How many of us started smoking because of thinking things like that?

I really think it's a bad idea. It's taking someone who already has a compulsive/addictive personality, and giving them another addiction.

 

[bluedove3]

Nicotine does increase metabolism so if you eat less and use more nicotine I guess its possible to lose weight?

Not sure if the other stuff in cig's increase your metabolism though.

Just to clarify, I'm not talking about increasing one's metabolism. I'm asking if vaping non-tobacco flavors could possibly satisfy an urge to eat when you are not hungry. Less calories resulting from less non-essential eating would result in weight loss on it's own. I am not asking about smoking real cigs or using nicotine.

 

[evilferret]

Just to clarify, I'm not talking about increasing one's metabolism. I'm asking if vaping non-tobacco flavors could possibly satisfy an urge to eat when you are not hungry. Less calories resulting from less non-essential eating would result in weight loss on it's own. I am not asking about smoking real cigs or using nicotine.

Oh in that case, I doubt vaping will help with food carvings (unless its an oral fixation).

I've found most food carvings to result from a lack of nutrients. I'm sorry but American foods these days are lacking (too much processed stuff).

Have you tried daily vitamin/mineral supplements?

Also would depend on the food. Check out the MAIO thread, there was a post linking info to fast food joints having some of the addictive substance in tobacco (which would explain my Big Mac cravings these days).

Fatty foods do make us happier.

 

[jrmithdobbs]

I think could it could in fact make the cravings worse. There have been several studies that show that artificial sweetners actually cause the brain to crave the calories it thought it had already ingested. They also cause an insulin spike and so could be dangerous for diabetics.

Here's an article that sums up the basic concept:

Artificial Sweeteners Cause Weight-Gain

 

[bluedove3]

Yes, I think it could.

But there are no long-term studies about the effect of vaping. And let's keep in mind we're talking about inhaling stuff that shouldn't strictly be there into your lungs.

E-cigs may be safer than smoking, but that doesn't take much. And even if it's safe short-term, we have no idea what happens 10 years down the line.

Not to mention it builds the compulsive habit of smoking. It's a short leap from there to "Oh, I'll just try a bit of nic juice to see how it feels," or "Oh, I'll just buy one pack because I wonder how this compares to a cigarette."

How many of us started smoking because of thinking things like that?

I really think it's a bad idea. It's taking someone who already has a compulsive/addictive personality, and giving them another addiction.

Hmm... I think that's the same sort of argument that people use against e-cigs in place of smoking isn't it? But the mitigating factor is that one is replacing a VERY harmful habit with one that is less harmful, possibly even harmless...

Certainly the potential risks of habitual inhalation of things like artificial flavorings/PG/VG being an unknown is a reason for concern. And I can see such a person giving in to adding nicotine for the extra appetite supression... lord knows I knew girls in high school who took up smoking to lose weight. But I seriously doubt vaping something like strawberry cheesecake could act as a gateway to real smoking.

It's a hard question... this is a demographic of people who's struggles are as equally belittled and dismissed as an entrenched smoker. "Just go on a diet! You know you're killing yourself! Just quit it!" Doctors prescribe amphetamines that are more addicting and hard on the heart than the evil nicotine beast we're worrying about here. Not to mention the frightening drastic surgeries that some desperate people turn to... (stomach stapling and the like)
If something as seemingly innocuous as vaping could help, I think it's worth considering.

Thanks for the honest feedback. I hope this isn't too sticky a subject to be discussing!

 

[Three4Me]

I don't thinks so. I have to have the whole eating experience to feel satisfied. Hand to mouth, chewing.. etc. Compulsive eating is just like smoking in it's addictive nature. I come from a long line of binge eaters and vaping just wouldn't do it for us. I wish it would though.

 

[CaptJay]

I dont know if it could but I suspect that LONG TERM it would NOT have an effect. Short term, perhaps but long term I doubt it.
I still get hungry (hungrier than when I smoked) and although I am a. using nic and b. not eating as many SWEET foods I do still want to eat SOMETHING.
I'm a slender tall person - I dont have an eating issue and I may not be understanding something about the compulsion aspect so I reserve the right to be totally wrong

 

[Automaton]

Hmm... I think that's the same sort of argument that people use against e-cigs in place of smoking isn't it? But the mitigating factor is that one is replacing a VERY harmful habit with one that is less harmful, possibly even harmless...

Certainly the potential risks of habitual inhalation of things like artificial flavorings/PG/VG being an unknown is a reason for concern. And I can see such a person giving in to adding nicotine for the extra appetite supression... lord knows I knew girls in high school who took up smoking to lose weight. But I seriously doubt vaping something like strawberry cheesecake could act as a gateway to real smoking.

It's a hard question... this is a demographic of people who's struggles are as equally belittled and dismissed as an entrenched smoker. "Just go on a diet! You know you're killing yourself! Just quit it!" Doctors prescribe amphetamines that are more addicting and hard on the heart than the evil nicotine beast we're worrying about here. Not to mention the frightening drastic surgeries that some desperate people turn to... (stomach stapling and the like)
If something as seemingly innocuous as vaping could help, I think it's worth considering.

Thanks for the honest feedback. I hope this isn't too sticky a subject to be discussing!

Well, not really. You're not adding anything to your addiction if you go from smoking to vaping. In fact, you're cutting down (no MAOI's, and the 4000 other chemicals not in e-cigs).

But you are adding a compulsive addiction ON TOP of a compulsive eating addiction, if you vape to help with food cravings.

You're walking away with more potential addictions, rather than less or the same.

I'm not saying I'm out to make a law or anything. If you've tried everything to help with compulsive eating, and vaping zero-nic offers you some hope... go ahead and try it. But it should be at the bottom of the list of non-invasive things to try.

I agree with you about the belittling, and that amphetamines are infinitely more dangerous than nicotine. I just think it should be approached with extreme caution. Certainly, people who struggle with eating problems of any variety are some of the most misunderstood in our society.

We vape because it's better than smoking, and we're already addicted to the compulsive habit and the nicotine anyway. We're not making things any worse for ourselves, certainly, and we are most likely making things much better.

But acquiring a compulsion to address another compulsion is something to be carefully considered.

 

[andyleigh12]

I don't see how vaping without nicotine could be any more harmful than overeating. I know that I'm eating a lot less than if I had quit smoking without it. I vape only non-nicotine and it just gives you something to do with your hands other than reach for candy or snacks.

 

[Three4Me]

I don't see how vaping without nicotine could be any more harmful than overeating. I know that I'm eating a lot less than if I had quit smoking without it. I vape only non-nicotine and it just gives you something to do with your hands other than reach for candy or snacks.

For someone with a true compulsive, over eating condition this may help for a short while. However, it is a true disorder and in the long run vaping really won't help. The urge to eat that takes place in those with the disorder comes from the mind not the stomach. It's very hard to explain unless you and or someone you love is effected by it.

 

[Crystallas]

Your body craves foods that it is used to. In theory, if you lived off, lets say, Oreo cookies for your life, your brain and body would become better at using it for the fuel and vitamin properties(while limited) and you would gain little weight from it. Opposed to someone who treats themselves once a week on Oreos.

If your body craves something, that's because, by nature, your brain and body doesn't want to adapt to different foods and substitutes. Your own will-power needs to make those changes through adaptation, and if you made a mental note of smoking or vaping as your treat, then there you go, that's what you have programmed into your body as a treat

 

[Automaton]

Your body craves foods that it is used to. In theory, if you lived off, lets say, Oreo cookies for your life, your brain and body would become better at using it for the fuel and vitamin properties(while limited) and you would gain little weight from it. Opposed to someone who treats themselves once a week on Oreos.

If your body craves something, that's because, by nature, your brain and body doesn't want to adapt to different foods and substitutes. Your own will-power needs to make those changes through adaptation, and if you made a mental note of smoking or vaping as your treat, then there you go, that's what you have programmed into your body as a treat

Compulsive eating issues really don't work that way. They are addictions, unto themselves.

Did "treats" work for you to quit smoking?

For someone who doesn't have eating issues, yes, your body craves what it either needs, or what it thinks it needs from programming.

But for someone with a compulsive eating problem, it is not a body craving. It is a mind craving. Your brain produces certain chemicals when you eat. And you can become addicted to your own chemistry.

That is what all behavioral addictions are - gambling, sex, eating, self-injury, etc. They are addictions to a certain chemical process that your own body produces.