New Vaper -- Cigarette Cravings?

[imnskp]

Hello, I'm a new vaper of about 3 weeks now with a Joye510 as was recommended a lot in this forum. I used to smoke about a pack a day.

I'm wondering why I still have cigarette cravings? I know when I smoke in the dark I can't tell if my battery died or not or if I'm even getting any vapor. So it sort of feels like I'm not smoking at all but just going through the motions of smoking. It feels like I'm just tricking my brain into thinking I'm smoking or something.

I know I'm getting nicotine because my cravings aren't that strong like they were when I quit cold turkey. So I know it's working.

What can I do to curb the cravings? Would it help for me to go to a Screwdriver or the Prodigy? (Two models I've been looking into.)

I definitely don't feel like I totally quit smoking because I don't have that burst of energy and clear-headedness that I used to get after I quit smoking for a while. I thought without all the carcinogens in cigarettes I would feel much better. But I guess the nicotine really does have a strong effect in and of itself.

Thanks for any suggestions.

imnskp

 

[imnskp]

Oh, one other thing. I started with 18mg juice and in the last week upgraded to 24mg. But I'm still having cravings.

 

[sherid]

You don't have to go completely cigarette free at once. I haven't done that. Have only the cigarettes you really crave, then vape the rest of the time. You will find yourself wanting to vape more than smoke, cutting your cigarette consumption gradually. When I started, I was having 5-6 cigarettes a day. Now, I am having only 1. Unless you have an immediate need to quit smoking completely, this is an easy painless way. I started vaping almost a year ago, and this has worked extremely well for me.

 

[nubee]

I didn't have any of that myself. I liked vaping day one and never looked back.

You upped your nic level which is a usual "try this first" approach - there are sites that sell 36mg. Next thing would be to maybe try some different juice flavors to see if you can get a taste that zings you - and maybe more throat hit though the 510 is good for that.

If that still isn't doing it for you, then yes, move on to 5-6v mods as you'll see here in the forum, most that have gone that way never go back to 3.7v let alone an analog.

Just keep vaping and trying other combos until you find what works for you.

And...Welcome to ECF!!!

 

[jerrydon10]

I didn't completely quit analogs when I first started vaping either. Especially in bed and upon waking up.

It took maybe 3 weeks. But I eventually came to prefer the PV!

 

[wdave]

I've been a smoker long enough to believe the adage "once a smoker, always a smoker". Meaning there are going be times when I slip back to a real cigarette.

This is a wonderful thing about vaping that we seldom mention. A slip back to analogs is not the "end of the world." I've slipped and happily gone back to ecigs the next day.

I don't worry about slips because they really are meaningless. Just take it a day at a time.

Dave

 

[jiffy]

Having a analog once in a while doesn't mean you have lost the battle. If you can effectively have a few analogs a week compared to 20-40 then you have made a huge improvement. It takes time and patience is rewarded.

 

[Madness008]

Even in the dark you should be able to tell you are getting a hit. Im not sure you are taking big enough hits. Personally, I havent craved much since day one.

 

[laurieok]

It took me about a month to wean myself down. Even now, if I really have that gawd awful craving I do light one up. I usually don't smoke it all, just a couple of puffs will do me, but for some reason I HAVE to light one up. Do what is best for you. Take it at your own pace and you will feel better about it.

 

[lkim65]

Dont' fret if you want to smoke a tobacco cig. If you want one, then smoke one. That's what I do. I have only been vaping for a week and went from smoking a pack and a half a day to no more than 10. I am sure I will completely stop eventually; for me it's just a gradual process...

 

[gooney0]

Think of it this way...

You goto a restaurant and order a Coke. They say is Pepsi ok, so you have a Pepsi instead. Its almost as good and you have a cold beverage so you no longer want a Coke.

If you did that often enough you may grow to prefer the sweetness of Pepsi over the bite of Coke. Even still for quite some time your brain would think of cola as "Coke."

If you think about it, your brain doesn't crave nicotine. It craves the way you've been getting it for years, and the habit of smoking.

When I think cigarette I need to translate that to PV and sometimes add a dash of willpower.

First thing in the morning I smoke a real cigarette for that "bang!" I need after going without for 8 hours. Afterwards I switch to the PV.

Here is another way to look at this. When an addiction grows it feels good, when it shrinks it feels bad. Each unsatisfied craving moves you a step closer to not having the cravings. Each craving you appease gains nothing.

Vapeing is imperfect and takes getting used to. I never feel it fill my lungs the way smoke does. It is quite effective at displacing most cigarettes though. That is a good thing.

-Gooney0

 

[sherid]

Think of it this way...

You goto a restaurant and order a Coke. They say is Pepsi ok, so you have a Pepsi instead. Its almost as good and you have a cold beverage so you no longer want a Coke.

If you did that often enough you may grow to prefer the sweetness of Pepsi over the bite of Coke. Even still for quite some time your brain would think of cola as "Coke."

If you think about it, your brain doesn't crave nicotine. It craves the way you've been getting it for years, and the habit of smoking.

When I think cigarette I need to translate that to PV and sometimes add a dash of willpower.

First thing in the morning I smoke a real cigarette for that "bang!" I need after going without for 8 hours. Afterwards I switch to the PV.

Here is another way to look at this. When an addiction grows it feels good, when it shrinks it feels bad. Each unsatisfied craving moves you a step closer to not having the cravings. Each craving you appease gains nothing.

Vapeing is imperfect and takes getting used to. I never feel it fill my lungs the way smoke does. It is quite effective at displacing most cigarettes though. That is a good thing.

-Gooney0

I really look forward to that one cigarette with my morning coffee. If I did not allow myself that, I believe I would start craving many more.

 

[Kate51]

It was funny, I stopped on day one also. I just couldn't get past the "smell" test! The "clean" test won. I smoked 2-3 packs a day.

 

[Porphy]

Personally, I went with 36mg juice to start with and figured I'd taper down if it was too strong. I found out though that it was "just right" and didn't need, crave, want a cigarette after I started vaping. There were two things I attribute to this in the e-cig experience:

1.) Get the right juice. Don't be a sissy when it comes to finding the strength you need...and don't listen to other people about how much mg = a pack. People inhale differently, vape differently, and are different in their withdrawal symptoms.

2.) I relearned how to inhale. Before e-cigs I never took an inhale directly into my lungs. I filled my mouth with smoke then inhaled into my lungs as I took the cigarette away. With e-cigs--to get that inhale that takes the pressure off your chest--you have to directly inhale into the lungs. Make it a longer, slower, lighter drag, because unlike analogs e-cigarettes don't need a hard drag to produce more vapor... they just need more time.

I'm not sure if you do either of these but if you don't I'd suggest getting a high nic strength until you find the level that suits your craving and use, and take lighter, longer "direct lung" drags.

I've got a lot of people around me using e-cigs and I know you don't have to keep the analogs there unless you want them there. It's all a matter of making the e-cig work for you.

 

[RazorNribbonz]

Having that 1- 6 cigs a day works for some...But for others they have that built in "all or nothing " switch ( this was me and something I still struggle with)... only you know which you are and what you can handle...

Would help to know what e-cig you are using now and how much you smoked a day...

I agree with porphy ( gawd, I've done that twice today lol) Especially if you were a heavy smoker...Increase to the nic level that works for you without showing signs of " too much nic" heart palpitations, sweats, dizzy, headache etc...Dont over do it but, dont suffer either..Some use two ecigs, one med mg all day e-cig-vape and one powerhitter- high nic for the strong cravings ( after dinner etc)...

Don't forget that you aren't just withdrawing from the analog/cig nicotine... Many on here have found that the cig additives are far worse withdrawing from then the actual nic..Put on your big girl/boy.. panties/briefs and or bite the bullet and just get thru the first few weeks lol

If you are using a 510 you have a solid "throat-lung hitter"... If not, I wouldnt hesitate picking one up or a higher volt mod...Try everything before giving up... what have you got to loose

:: oh, and finding a flavor you really like in my opinion can make or break you lol

 

[imnskp]

I'm not sure if you do either of these but if you don't I'd suggest getting a high nic strength until you find the level that suits your craving and use, and take lighter, longer "direct lung" drags.

This is what I do too. Hit first then inhale. I read your thread where you learned you did this and I've already been trying to learn how to lung hit. Thanks.

 

[imnskp]

Having that 1- 6 cigs a day works for some...But for others they have that built in "all or nothing " switch ( this was me and something I still struggle with)... only you know which you are and what you can handle...

Would help to know what e-cig you are using now and how much you smoked a day...

Joye510 and I smoked approx. a pack a day.

I agree with porphy ( gawd, I've done that twice today lol) Especially if you were a heavy smoker...Increase to the nic level that works for you without showing signs of " too much nic" heart palpitations, sweats, dizzy, headache etc...Dont over do it but, dont suffer either..Some use two ecigs, one med mg all day e-cig-vape and one powerhitter- high nic for the strong cravings ( after dinner etc)...

I was at 18mg and I switched to 24mg.



Thanks everybody for your opinions. It helps to know I'm not the only one to have cravings. I searched first and couldn't find anyone that still had cravings so I'm happy to know this is normal.

 

[gooney0]

Imnskp,

It will get easier and it will take a little time.

Catch it early... when you start thinking about smoking try the E-cig before it turns into a craving.

Top off your cart for bigger better "hits."

This isn't a one shot cure or miracle, but many of us have made the transition with only a little willpower.

There are still times when I think I'd rather have a real smoke but this is so much better than gum, patches, or nothing!

Do what you can do. Could you cut down to 3/4 pack? 1/2 pack? Could you avoid chain smoking by using the PV?

Give it time, play with juices and post on the forums. We'll help as we can.

-Goooney0

 

[TheScrye]

This is honestly something I've been curious about to. I'm not really a heavy smoker, maybe 6-7 smokes a day, a lot of that having to do with having a new baby around. I have to go outside, smoke, come inside, wash my hands, brush my teeth, sometimes change my shirt, all that before I feel safe going around my baby boy.

I got awhile before my 901 comes, and makes life a whole lot easier and healthier. I don't think i'll slip unless something happens at work and I can't use my PV. Then again, i wont know tell it gets here.

Has anyone noticed themselves vaping a lot more, simply because they can? That's something that concerns me too. I'm hoping to also cut costs by going this route, yet I think with the added convenience I probably wont.

 

[gooney0]

TheScrye,

That is a real concern and something to be aware of. If you vape anywhere you may do it too often.

A few ideas to combat this:

1) Use the 901 only when you'd use a cigarette. Outside, 6-7 times a day.

2) If you're going to vape "for fun" use low or zero nicotine fluid. You don't want to increase your addiction. Do you "need" a smoke or "want" a smoke?

3) Continue to wash your hands as nicotine is a poison and would have much more effect on a child.

4) If breast feeding consider using only 0mg juice. You could also talk to your doctor about this.

In my case this is a non-issue since I'm a heavy smoker who smokes indoors anyway. Convenience is dangerous.....

-Gooney0