Just how addictive is nicotine... Really?

[skoony]

Now there is some hard credible data[emoji12]

Although these statistics were relevant 40 years ago when i was studying the subject I see no reason
they would not be statistically equivalent today. I smoked for 38 years straight not counting my on again
off again habit when i was a teenager. Obviously I was very dependent on smoking. That does not mean
every one who smokes becomes dependent on smoking. I am trying to give some context as to nicotine and,
dependence in a broader scope. Looking at the problem from a personal point of view is necessary but, one
must look at the whole picture to gain any perspective as to how it relates to the real world as a whole.
I am not saying nor, have ever said smoking is not or,can not be highly addictive. It certainly was for me.
Those of us that had the misfortune to be in the small percentage of smokers that became highly dependent
on smoking shouldn't look at the world only through our own eyes and experiences.
This is what the 1964 Surgeon Generals report on smoking had to say concerning nicotine.

"The habitual use of tobacco is related primarily to psychological and social drives, reinforced and perpetuated by the pharmacological actions of nicotine. Social stimulation appears to play a major role in a young person’s early and first experiments with smoking. No scientific evidence supports the popular hypothesis that smoking among adolescents is an expression rebellion against authority. Individual stress appears to be associated more with fluctuations in the amount of smoking than with the prevalence of smoking. The overwhelming evidence indicates that smoking-its beginning, habituation, and occasional discontinuation-is to a very large extent psychologically and socially determined. Nicotine is rapidly changed in the body to relatively inactive substances with low toxicity. The chronic toxicity of small doses of nicotine is low in experimental animals. These two facts, when taken in conjunction with the low mortality ratios of pipe and cigar smokers, indicate that the chronic toxicity of nicotine in quantities absorbed from smoking and other methods of tobacco use is very low and probably does not represent an important health hazard."
http://profiles.nlm.nih.gov/ps/access/nnbbmq.pdf

Compare this to what you here about nicotine today in the mass media and from anti-vaping
opponents.

Regards
mike

 

[Alien Traveler]

It's called that because the cold sweats associated with abstaining from alcohol bring to mind the skin of a chilled oven-ready turkey. Alcohol is one of the only two drugs that are physically addictive. You can actually die if you quit drinking too fast.

Does it mean that when I have a quick shot of bourbon I am in more danger that when I am nursing it on the rocks?

 

[WharfRat1976]

We are all anti vaping opponents[emoji4]

 

[WharfRat1976]

Although these statistics were relevant 40 years ago when i was studying the subject I see no reason
they would not be statistically equivalent today. I smoked for 38 years straight not counting my on again
off again habit when i was a teenager. Obviously I was very dependent on smoking. That does not mean
every one who smokes becomes dependent on smoking. I am trying to give some context as to nicotine and,
dependence in a broader scope. Looking at the problem from a personal point of view is necessary but, one
must look at the whole picture to gain any perspective as to how it relates to the real world as a whole.
I am not saying nor, have ever said smoking is not or,can not be highly addictive. It certainly was for me.
Those of us that had the misfortune to be in the small percentage of smokers that became highly dependent
on smoking shouldn't look at the world only through our own eyes and experiences.
This is what the 1964 Surgeon Generals report on smoking had to say concerning nicotine.

"The habitual use of tobacco is related primarily to psychological and social drives, reinforced and perpetuated by the pharmacological actions of nicotine. Social stimulation appears to play a major role in a young person’s early and first experiments with smoking. No scientific evidence supports the popular hypothesis that smoking among adolescents is an expression rebellion against authority. Individual stress appears to be associated more with fluctuations in the amount of smoking than with the prevalence of smoking. The overwhelming evidence indicates that smoking-its beginning, habituation, and occasional discontinuation-is to a very large extent psychologically and socially determined. Nicotine is rapidly changed in the body to relatively inactive substances with low toxicity. The chronic toxicity of small doses of nicotine is low in experimental animals. These two facts, when taken in conjunction with the low mortality ratios of pipe and cigar smokers, indicate that the chronic toxicity of nicotine in quantities absorbed from smoking and other methods of tobacco use is very low and probably does not represent an important health hazard."
http://profiles.nlm.nih.gov/ps/access/nnbbmq.pdf

Compare this to what you here about nicotine today in the mass media and from anti-vaping
opponents.

Regards
mike

Neat post, Mike. It provides context. The dopamine uptake explanation is probably the best explanation for most addictions. At least to a larger extent.

 

[rurwin]

Does it mean that when I have a quick shot of bourbon I am in more danger that when I am nursing it on the rocks?

If I understand correctly, (I am a long way from an expert,) if you are such a heavy drinker that you get the DT's often, you should seek medical advice before quitting. It isn't an issue for most drinkers.

 

[Alien Traveler]

If I understand correctly, (I am a long way from an expert,) if you are such a heavy drinker that you get the DT's often, you should seek medical advice before quitting. It isn't an issue for most drinkers.

You are somewhat on a point, but not exactly.
I quit drinking pretty fast after every shot.
P.S. It seems you are joking, but my second language English... I am sorry (no pun intended, I am really did not get it).

 

[Bunnykiller]

You are somewhat on a point, but not exactly.
I quit drinking pretty fast after every shot.
P.S. It seems you are joking, but my second language English... I am sorry (no pun intended, I am really did not get it).

what Id like to see is what your primary language looks like in text

 

[Rossum]

what Id like to see is what your primary language looks like in text

He's an Alien. How do you expect him to type his first language using an earthly keyboard?

 

[quittingvegas]

Started with a ego t Feb 2012 but that didn't work out. Purchased a mvp1 in June 2013 and I did cut back drastically as a dual user. I used to smoke 1 1/2 packs a day. Took a year to get down to 10 cigs a day. About 4 months ago I noticed on the weekends when not working I was only smoking 1-2 a day. Well 3 weeks ago I woke up Sunday morning and didn't have anymore smokes. Decided to see how long I could last. I am pround to say I have lasted. There are many variables to my personal addiction. I was a diehard Marlboro menthol (full flavor) smoker for over 10 years. When i started dual using they were making me sick so i switched to camel menthol silvers (lights.) I personally think this was caused by the different alkaloids or other additives in Marlboro. I thought about purchasing some WTA to fight the current cravings but i figure if i have gotten over this hump i don't want to backstep.

Just wanted to share my personal addiction timeline for those who don't jump right in and immediately quit the nasty's.

 

[Oregon Linda]

I don't know about everyone else, but for me, apparently not as addictive as it once was. And that comes as a big surprise. I smoked for a good 35 years, tried to quit numerous times without any success. I've been vaping now for almost 3 years. I started at 24 mg and for the past year have been at 3 mg.

A few weeks ago, I started vaping on a couple of RTAs rather than my normal GS Airs and was surprised to suddenly be getting so much throat hit. It had been a long time since I noticed that in my vape. Then I started having problems getting to sleep at night and feeling "over nicced." That always seems to happen right before it's time to drop my nic level again. But at 3 mg, that was a big surprise. Finally after 3 nights in a row of only getting a couple hours sleep, I got up yesterday and made myself some 0 nic juice and vaped it all afternoon and evening.

I was shocked to find that I didn't miss the nicotine at all. I had zero cravings. In fact, I enjoyed the extra flavor that I could taste. So apparently at some time during the past year or two, I've lost the urge for nicotine. I won't say that I'm no longer addicted, because addictions don't work that way. But I don't seem to be a prisoner to it. I definitely haven't lost the need for the hand-to-mouth ritual, though. And to me that's okay. It's also okay if I don't stay on o nic, but instead cut my 3 mg level in half. I'm just happy to find that I can cut out the nicotine altogether if I need to and not feel crazy all day.

 

[rurwin]

Does it mean that when I have a quick shot of bourbon I am in more danger that when I am nursing it on the rocks?

If I understand correctly, (I am a long way from an expert,) if you are such a heavy drinker that you get the DT's often, you should seek medical advice before quitting. It isn't an issue for most drinkers.

You are somewhat on a point, but not exactly.
I quit drinking pretty fast after every shot.
P.S. It seems you are joking, but my second language English... I am sorry (no pun intended, I am really did not get it).

Giving up smoking is easy; I do it forty times every day.

 

[issy]

I have been able to lower my nic % quite easily over a year o vaping (DIY helps to lower slowly), while I only smoked for two years and started with ultra-lites and already went to regular cowboy killers/am spirits within that time period.

My BF quit smoking almost 20 years ago, but enjoys a toot here and there from my vape. One night when we're drinking and having a good time, he'll hit it maybe 10 times (6-9 mg/ml) and then he won't touch it for 4 weeks. As an ex-smoker, some might think he's playing with fire by vaping at all. But he seems immune.

Then again, he was one of those that quit ciggies cold-turkey. Which brings in the nature of addiction and personality types.

The answer? I don't know

 

[WharfRat1976]

If I understand correctly, (I am a long way from an expert,) if you are such a heavy drinker that you get the DT's often, you should seek medical advice before quitting. It isn't an issue for most drinkers.

Absolutely. Abruptly stopping can result in death. Detoxes will taper off the alcoholic with medication to ease the process. Delirium Tremens can send the body into shock and be lethal if not closely monitored. Blood sugar is also closely monitered.

 

[clager]

Many physicians agree that if youre over 50 and been smoking a pack a day since around 15 years old. Giving up just like that could lead to all sorts of problems, could, not would. Heart rates, pulse, circulation etc, after 35-40 years of puffing away its adjusted itself to this. A sudden stop and in a 40 year older body could lead to troubles.

I'm not sure? but some people with heart problems could possibly feel the effect much more?

 

[Alien Traveler]

Giving up smoking is easy; I do it forty times every day.

Yes, it's exactly what I meant.

 

[DC2]

I'm just happy to find that I can cut out the nicotine altogether if I need to and not feel crazy all day

It's also nice to know in case some day your insurance goes up if you use nicotine.
Like mine did.

 

[newvaper92]

I'd say it's only mildly addictive if anything- I wasn't a "smoker" before I started vaping, but like almost anyone, I had smoked here and there but never made a habit of the filthy things. I vape 6mg usually, and sometimes 3mg, have vaped up to 18mg, and I feel that after 6 months or so I'm mildly addicted (maybe not even to the nicotine but the act of vaping?) but I can go all day without vaping if I need to, with no more than "I want a vape" and no real problems otherwise. If vaping was proven to be as bad for your health as cigarettes I would likely just quit. As of now, it's not so I happily vape away I could be doing worse things so whatever!

 

[Foggy Road]

Well my test to see if I could go without the nic didn't work out. While I was enjoying my flavorless 0 nic vape the withdrawal was just as bad as when I dumped the analogs. The extreme sleepiness, the shakes and the dizziness just weren't doable in my situation.
When I quit the nasties I was at home for ten days and the side affects weren't a major issue. But going thru that while on the road was just irresponsible of me. Had to quit playing with it for safety sake.
But on the positive side, I did come out of it at a much lower nic level. Was at 15mg now I'm comfortable at 9.
While I know at an intellectual level that nic isn't a bad thing, has even been proven beneficial. I started smoking in the years when the Surgeon General was first demonizing nic and and have always felt enslaved by that demon and BT. I hope that helps explain my strong, albeit irrational, desire to be free of it, and I will be one day. This is just not the right time.