How long before your brain flipped the switch?

[debzcf]

I quit cigarettes in December 2012 (30 year habit) -- purchased another mod (now used only for the purpose of checking wick/coil on my REOs). I don't think I'm craving cigarettes any longer, however, there are MANY days I forget I no longer smoke. I'll wake up and reach for a cig -- more of a habit thing. How long before your brain and body are in sync?

 

[Rhapsodies Fire]

It's different for everyone...once I made the transition complete, everything else fell into place. I no longer craved a smoke at all. However, for about a year after I quit, I still had those moments when it was "time" and I got up from my desk and headed for the deck. The physical need to complete that task was very strong. I never did...I'd sit right back down and pick up my mod. And moments later, all was forgotten. I don't have that desire anymore though. In 3 months I will be smoke free for 3 years. I started vaping 3 years and 3 months ago. I smoked for 26ish years.

 

[patkin]

Between eight and nine months and it hasn't flipped yet. I smoked for 58 years and last few 2 PAD so I'm not sure it ever will but I now use an eroll and high nic tobacco-flavored juice the same way I smoked and vape on my ego in between. Other than Njoy King Bold disposable which is too pricey for me, the eroll comes the closest to smoking.

 

[ltrainer]

For me it was the first drag off a joye 510 kit with 180 mah battery. That was after smoking almost 2 packs a day for 40 years. Then it was just a matter of making the whole ecig business easier and more convenient. That was 2 years 9 months ago.

 

[debzcf]

Congratulations on your 3 year anniversary. I KNOW I will never go back -- and so the journey begins. There are days I need a Zen Mind.

 

[Justice]

Bout a year of all vaping and part vaping parer cigs then after 6 months of just vaping I had a stinky just about puked and was green for several hours I'm over a year and a half completely off cigs other than that one now and vaping is the new habit now keep with it it will happen for you

 

[Justice]

Between eight and nine months and it hasn't flipped yet. I smoked for 58 years and last few 2 PAD so I'm not sure it ever will but I now use an eroll and high nic tobacco-flavored juice the same way I smoked and vape on my ego in between. Other than Njoy King Bold disposable which is too pricey for me, the eroll comes the closest to smoking.

Hmmm methinks we need to talk to you about gettin a Reo

 

[pdib]

I still embrace many of the rituals that I had with cigarettes. Partly as a courtesy to others, and partly because there are other things connected to it all. I found myself physically repulsed by cigs soon after I switched, so that's not an issue. I really don't want one of those. I still go out to my shop to vape, or go outside at work and at friends' houses. Along with that, comes 5 min. to unwind, do the crossword, have a coffee etc. I think, perhaps, that completely aside from smoking, its a really nice habit to take a few minutes every now and again. I also find the vaping to be more pleasant and "rewarding" this way. I've vaped on the go when my schedule wasn't my own, or when travelling, and its nice to be able to do that (vs. smoking); but its just not the same as taking a few minutes to have a nice vape.


BTW, it was really nice having the REO on my trip to Chicago. All day long, wherever I was (museums, houses, stores), I had it in my breast pocket, loaded and ready to serve. It was super easy to be in foreign/"hostile" environments and attend to my needs.

 

[debzcf]

I still embrace many of the rituals that I had with cigarettes. Partly as a courtesy to others, and partly because there are other things connected to it all. I found myself physically repulsed by cigs soon after I switched, so that's not an issue. I really don't want one of those. I still go out to my shop to vape, or go outside at work and at friends' houses. Along with that, comes 5 min. to unwind, do the crossword, have a coffee etc. I think, perhaps, that completely aside from smoking, its a really nice habit to take a few minutes every now and again. I also find the vaping to be more pleasant and "rewarding" this way. I've vaped on the go when my schedule wasn't my own, or when travelling, and its nice to be able to do that (vs. smoking); but its just not the same as taking a few minutes to have a nice vape.

That makes absolute sense. Additionally, I am now also repulsed by the smell of cigarettes (if only my dear sister would feel the same). It IS the ritual of everything I did (when I smoked) that I miss. Why did I also stop the others things I enjoyed? Lightbulb...

 

[pdib]

Yeah, I really noticed the "trade-off" when I was travelling. Plus: to be able to fill the need at any time. Minus; the wait and the reward. The wanting and not getting, then the "full" getting, with all my relaxed attention on it. Total addiction.

I do intend, when I start cutting back, to cut back on the ritual as much, or more so, than the nic level.

WAIT: hmmmmmmmm . . . . maybe visa-versa. I DON'T KNOW! That is probably thread material there.

 

[unsure]

Quiting was pretty easy for me. It was never the nic and at one point for about4 months I was vaping 0mg. After over 20 years it turns out the addicting thing was the puffing...still is.

 

[oldbroad]

I vape like I smoked...continually every waking moment! ( I'm a hard head)

But the very first vape a friend gave me was the moment I KNEW that I could finally stop killing myself with cigs.

Tho I've cut down from 36 mg. to 24 mg., I think I'll stay at that.

I started with 510's, then Egos, , then the ultimate...Reos.

I LOVE vaping!!!

 

[BuGlen]

I used to keep my cigarettes on the back porch (where I smoked). It took me about 2 months before I wouldn't involuntarily look for that pack on the way out the door to work every morning.

The new ritual habit is making sure my Twist batteries are charged and my EVODs are full (travel kit) every night before I go to bed.

 

[ancient puffer]

After 50 years of 1-2 PAD, I quit cold for 3 years, then started vaping. For about a year into vaping, I was still reaching for my shirt pocket periodically, but since I now have my REO there, I'm over it!

Looking back, it wasn't the nicotine, although about a year into vaping I started using 18mg (instead of 0mg I started with). There was a tiny "kick" from the nicotine that made me more alert (subjective, I know). The physical ritual was a habit (reaching for pocket, fishing lighter out of another pocket, taking a drag after each sip (gulp ) of coffee, etc. But those were easy to ignore.

What I *can* say is that I was addicted to the MAOI's in cigarette smoke (that "ahhhh" feeling when you took a drag after a prolonged stretch without a cigarette). But that part was actually gone in about 2 months (from quitting cigs), although the mental part (the desire to fire up) took (me) about 2 years, and truthfully, every few months the "idea" of lighting up still creeps in, but only momentarily. I know it's not true for some, but for me the smell of a freshly lit cigarette is still quite pleasant, and brings a smile to my mind.

 

[supertrunker]

I just swapped one habit for another. Wake up - grab a vape. The first month was miserable, but HRH was there nagging me every step of the way!

So all i swapped was setting fire to things.

What always annoyed me were people that became anti-smoking zealots after they stopped so i make sure i am not like that - i still have my remaining Marlboro on the printer, but they are old and rather less appealing now.

T

 

[new kid]

A little over a year ago the wife and I switched over. I remember we "saved" a pack or so of analogs just in case. We tried one a week later and it they all went out - nasty suckers.

I still occasionally get the craving for a analog but it is typically when I am extremely stressed. I have noticed I can often go 6-8 hours without vaping and not have any cravings.

 

[unloaded]

It pretty much clicked instantly for me. I bought a couple of disposables after looking at them on the counter of the smoke shop every week buying cartons. I wasn't even trying to quit, just curious. Being able to stay in the house with my coffee and laptop when I got up was enough for me. I did carry an opened pack of smokes with me in my shirt pocket for the first month or two, I felt panicked if I didn't have them. It seemed to make it easier know they were there. I lit up one smoke about 2 months in just to see what it tasted like. It was aweful and only took a couple drags. A month or so after that I got some of want2vapes Blondie juice and was taken by it I had to go buy a couple of the cigars to see what they were like. I smoked about half of one and made juice of the others. It's been two years plus for me, only struggles I've had have been crappy juice or gear.

 

[debzcf]

I just swapped one habit for another. Wake up - grab a vape. The first month was miserable, but HRH was there nagging me every step of the way!

So all i swapped was setting fire to things.

What always annoyed me were people that became anti-smoking zealots after they stopped so i make sure i am not like that - i still have my remaining Marlboro on the printer, but they are old and rather less appealing now.

T

Ahhhh, yes...the anti-smoking zealots. Most often angry, frustrated, ex-smokers who haven't discovered REOs. -- poor dears.

 

[unsure]

After 50 years of 1-2 PAD, I quit cold for 3 years, then started vaping. For about a year into vaping, I was still reaching for my shirt pocket periodically, but since I now have my REO there, I'm over it!

Looking back, it wasn't the nicotine, although about a year into vaping I started using 18mg (instead of 0mg I started with). There was a tiny "kick" from the nicotine that made me more alert (subjective, I know). The physical ritual was a habit (reaching for pocket, fishing lighter out of another pocket, taking a drag after each sip (gulp ) of coffee, etc. But those were easy to ignore.

What I *can* say is that I was addicted to the MAOI's in cigarette smoke (that "ahhhh" feeling when you took a drag after a prolonged stretch without a cigarette). But that part was actually gone in about 2 months (from quitting cigs), although the mental part (the desire to fire up) took (me) about 2 years, and truthfully, every few months the "idea" of lighting up still creeps in, but only momentarily. I know it's not true for some, but for me the smell of a freshly lit cigarette is still quite pleasant, and brings a smile to my mind.

Similar here. I went back to nic in my juice for a different reason. Boba's Bounty my ADV. I asked Ben why no 0mg BB and he said it wouldn't taste as good...he tried. So nic or no nic meh no biggie so long as cigs gone.

 

[FogHawg]

I'm just a newbie compared to many of you, having just under 6 mos smoke-free to date. But I'm sure that I'll ever smoke again. And of course vaping has likely helped, but I have to give credit where it's due; I prayed in faith & God set me free of my addiction to cigarettes. Even with vaping I don't think I could have done it alone. But I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me.