Never smoked, considering starting Ecigs

[DC2]

Your opinion counts just as much as the next guy's, even though I don't agree with it.

There is definitely a valid question as to whether or not nicotine by itself is as addictive as everyone thinks.

The public has been told that it is super addictive over and over and over, to the point where it is considered immutable fact.
And nobody really questions it because, well, it certainly seems to jibe with our experience as cigarette smokers.

But I'm not sure anyone can point to a single study that shows how addictive nicotine is WITHOUT the tobacco.

Wikipedia, however, says this...

Technically, nicotine is not significantly addictive, as nicotine administered alone does not produce significant reinforcing properties. However, after coadministration with an MAOI, such as those found in tobacco, nicotine produces significant behavioral sensitization, a measure of addiction potential.

And of course they have a study to back it up.


The medical world is finding more and more valid uses for nicotine as a treatment for various health issues...
Casaa.org - Harm Reduction

The demonization of nicotine serves to further marginalize those who continue to use it.
And these beliefs about the horrors of nicotine are a direct threat to our long-term continued ability to vape.

If these beliefs are correct, that would be one thing.
But if there is any question that everything we thought we knew was wrong, we should be looking very closely at that.

 

[uba egar320]

There is definitely a valid question as to whether or not nicotine by itself is as addictive as everyone thinks.

The public has been told that it is super addictive over and over and over, to the point where it is considered immutable fact.
And nobody really questions it because, well, it certainly seems to jibe with our experience as cigarette smokers.

But I'm not sure anyone can point to a single study that shows how addictive nicotine is WITHOUT the tobacco.

Wikipedia, however, says this...


And of course they have a study to back it up.


The medical world is finding more and more valid uses for nicotine as a treatment for various health issues...
Casaa.org - Harm Reduction

The demonization of nicotine serves to further marginalize those who continue to use it.
And these beliefs about the horrors of nicotine are a direct threat to our long-term continued ability to vape.

If these beliefs are correct, that would be one thing.
But if there is any question that everything we thought we knew was wrong, we should be looking very closely at that.

Ok, fair enough. But I just think that the lifestyle that comes along with smoking\vaping is just kinda annoying to me. If I had my choices, or could do it all over I would have left nic alone lol.

 

[rolandpibb]

Ok, fair enough. But I just think that the lifestyle that comes along with smoking\vaping is just kinda annoying to me. If I had my choices, or could do it all over I would have left nic alone lol.

Me too. I'd be driving a much nicer vehicle.

 

[BobbyB]

Is this a bad idea? The health effects don't seem to be too bad. How rewarding is it compared to the buzz from a single alcoholic drink of a energy drink?

I've never had the "cigarette buzz" from vapeing. I'm thinking this is caused by the other junk they put into cigarettes and not the nicotine.

Do yourself a favor and don't start smoking/vapeing. It's an expensive habit and hard to break.

 

[miriaminspringtown]

I have to say my experience and the experiences from the people I've talked with previously differs from yours Nicko. Perhaps it's a different interpretation of the need, or what we're describing as a buzz.

My point is that if someone asks whether they should actively seek to become addicted to something, harmful or not, my answer is of course not.

This is so true. Why would anyone encourage someone to get started with something that can be addictive? I smoked for over 30 years, started vaping Jan. 2011 and now vape 0 nic juice. I like the vapor and flavor, that's about it. I would not encourage anyone to start vaping to get a buzz.

 

[chevelle]

To the OP... Nope, no buzz at all. Vape too much with a higher level of nic and you just feel sick... not in a good way either. No glory or jollies here man. Just a bunch of cigarette addicts trying to get free of a terrible, self-induced slavery to burning tobacco. Move briskly along pardner and don't look back.

 

[James Wall]

Nicko, if I'm one of the folks that made you feel attacked or insulted, you have my apologies. While I don't agree with all of your opinions I respect your right to have 'em and to voice 'em.

Civitas and Vanilla, I can really relate to your points. As a hardcore soda/caffeine addict (8+ sodas a day), yup I have run out at midnight to get sugar/caffeine/soda. I believe that vaping a sweet flavor could actually help a person reduce their intake of these items. Since I started vaping I've noticed that I have cut down on sodas a bit, partly because I am more thirsty on a regular basis and so I've started drinking more water. I would actually be in favor of someone wanting to start vaping at 0 nic (for a non-smoker) if they were asking about trying for this goal. I'm just not in favor of starting a nic habit/addiction for the sake of trying to get a buzz that I can't relate to.

 

[Saintscruiser]

To the OP, if you do not smoke or vape, leave it alone. It is not a fad or a fashion statement. My mom died from cigarettes....lung cancer. There is nothing glam about that, believe me. One drag can get you hooked.....just one.....because you don't stop with just one. It's like an alcoholic. When they took their first drink, they had no idea what was about to happen to their lives......or smoking crack.....same thing. Regardless of the addiction, it's not pretty.

 

[renstyle]

Is this a bad idea? The health effects don't seem to be too bad. How rewarding is it compared to the buzz from a single alcoholic drink of a energy drink?

I'm not one that believes nicotine is any worse for a body than a shot of caffiene (more or less). That being said, I'd only recommend picking up zero-nic juice if you want to go this route. For a non-smoker, nothing will be gained by ingesting nicotine when you have not had it in your system before.

You can get a decent "throat hit" using PGA (everclear/vodka) rather than using nicotine in your juice. Menthol and mint are also rather refreshing without nicotine too. Most vendors will offer their juices with zero nic, so your flavor selection will not be dimished.

Take it one step further and DIY, all without nicotine.

Again, my stance on nicotine is an opinion, as are the others that may disagree with me on this thread. As an adult (you ARE an adult, right?) you can make a choice for yourself.

 

[stillalive]

It always makes me LOL in real life when people freak out over non-smokers vaping. I always imagine someone posting something like "I've never had coffee and was thinking about trying it for the first time. Is this a bad idea?" and a dozen or so coffee drinkers freaking out on them. Since nicotine minus the tobacco is about as addictive as caffeine, it's kind of funny to watch.

I can vouch for myself and some other non-smoking vapers that nicotine alone isn't terribly addictive. I wish it were, lol. because it helps a lot of my health problems and I keep forgetting to vape. oops. However after 2 months I'm starting to think more about getting the nicotine patch, just because it starts becoming a pain in the .... to order more supplies. I do enjoy vaping and I can't put a price on my health, but now that I'm working in a restaurant it's hard to vape enough for my health.

We do have a support group for people who didn't smoke before vaping, and it's linked in my sig.

 

[Archetype]

Sure, go for it. But stick to the 0 nicotine juices; unless you want to become addicted to nicotine, which would be very very dumb.

 

[Civitasdei]

Nicko, if I'm one of the folks that made you feel attacked or insulted, you have my apologies. While I don't agree with all of your opinions I respect your right to have 'em and to voice 'em.

Civitas and Vanilla, I can really relate to your points. As a hardcore soda/caffeine addict (8+ sodas a day), yup I have run out at midnight to get sugar/caffeine/soda. I believe that vaping a sweet flavor could actually help a person reduce their intake of these items. Since I started vaping I've noticed that I have cut down on sodas a bit, partly because I am more thirsty on a regular basis and so I've started drinking more water. I would actually be in favor of someone wanting to start vaping at 0 nic (for a non-smoker) if they were asking about trying for this goal. I'm just not in favor of starting a nic habit/addiction for the sake of trying to get a buzz that I can't relate to.

I totally agree about hydration. I drink LOTS of water while vaping. You have to because PG and VG removes moisture from the body. Personally, I sometimes get a headache if I don't get enough liquid. Also, I want make a recommendation to the OP that he give 0 nic a chance first. 0 nic can be very satisfying! Vaping in this manner just may be enough reward without all of the nic. But, if nic is what you want, OP, give that a go as well. Heck, you may not even like nicotine. Wouldn't that be a shame if you blow 30 bucks on nic juice and hate it, lol? So, get a bottle of 0 and get a bottle of 6mg and go to town [vaping].

 

[stillalive]

Sure, go for it. But stick to the 0 nicotine juices; unless you want to become addicted to nicotine, which would be very very dumb.

I wish anyone who has never smoked a much-needed good luck in getting themselves addicted via e-cigs if they try. It is NOT an easy task. Without tobacco, nicotine seems to be a far less potent addictor.

From my experience, alcohol was a lot more "addictive" in 4 or so drinks a week than nicotine has been every day for over 2 months. That could just be anecdotal, but I'm obviously not the only one. There have even been scientific studies proving this.

And for the record, I do sometimes get super high off of nicotine, but usually it's accompanied by nausea, so meh.

 

[user]

your better off smoking ecigss then to keep smoking real ciggs i just recently quit too

 

[utahraptor]

Well, thanks for all the advice. Just this last Friday, one of my coworkers got an ecig in the mail. He had the 36 mg menthol juice and he let me try it out. I took several heavy tokes off it inhaling deeply. I felt absolutely nothing other than the taste. I have decided it is not for me. I fear he will fail with it as I doubt it will take care of his addiction if a nonuser can't even get a buzz.

 

[stillalive]

it probably wasn't working right... I got high my first good inhale off a 12mg, lol. ran around cleaning the house and writing my paper. anyways, good luck.

 

[ulfa]

This question never ceases to amaze me but if I suppose if you feel the need go for it.
I just don't understand the allure if you're not already smoking...

 

[burgblu]

I love it. 10 pages of replies and he tries it once and doesn't like it.

Well, thanks for all the advice. Just this last Friday, one of my coworkers got an ecig in the mail. He had the 36 mg menthol juice and he let me try it out. I took several heavy tokes off it inhaling deeply. I felt absolutely nothing other than the taste. I have decided it is not for me. I fear he will fail with it as I doubt it will take care of his addiction if a nonuser can't even get a buzz.

 

[DC2]

Well, thanks for all the advice. Just this last Friday, one of my coworkers got an ecig in the mail. He had the 36 mg menthol juice and he let me try it out. I took several heavy tokes off it inhaling deeply. I felt absolutely nothing other than the taste. I have decided it is not for me. I fear he will fail with it as I doubt it will take care of his addiction if a nonuser can't even get a buzz.

Excellent, now we can be done with this then?

 

[renstyle]

Well, thanks for all the advice. Just this last Friday, one of my coworkers got an ecig in the mail. He had the 36 mg menthol juice and he let me try it out. I took several heavy tokes off it inhaling deeply. I felt absolutely nothing other than the taste. I have decided it is not for me. I fear he will fail with it as I doubt it will take care of his addiction if a nonuser can't even get a buzz.

It's been mentioned before... the ecig will assist with the 'ritual' that you carried while smoking, nic or not. If you want a buzz you'd have to do something a bit more drastic like NO "whippits" (just an example, albeit more benign than starting your car inside the garage and hanging around, initially will give you the same "buzz", right up to the point where you pass out and expire).