New Vaper -- liking it so far.

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pir123

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Jun 1, 2012
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Hi All!

I've been vaping now for a week and a half, with a Leo. I must say, all in all, it's been a positive experience.

I've been a medium to light smoker for 20 years, and for the last 12 handrolling drum. I've stopped smoking only once for a few months, cold turkey, as an experiment (yeah, I know I'm a little strange) which I found interesting, and actually not all that difficult after the first few days. I was having some sinus and throat issues, which was part of the reason for the experiment, though my symptoms actually didn't go away when I stopped smoking (even after months), and I later determined the cause to be post-nasal-drip caused by allergies. I started using a neti-pot (saline nasal flush), which helped with that a lot (but didn't "cure" me) -- interestingly, I'm finding that vaping is actually somewhat soothing, and I'm not waking up every day with a dry throat, which is a bonus, since I still had that even when I had stopped smoking. So there's an anecdote that vaping may actually be *good* for some things, rather than just a replacement for cigarettes. I wonder if maybe it's the PG?

I'm not determined to give up smoking altogether, though I intend to go vape-only for at least a few months. The only time I get the urge for an analog is when I'm working at my computer on a tough problem, but a few puffs on the leo does satisfy, though the whole experience is quite different, and doesn't satisfy in quite the same way. I find that I'm vaping quite a bit more than I smoked, and I gather that's somewhat common at first. I can imagine still having an after-dinner cigarette, which has always been my favorite smoke of the day.

I'm finding that while I've had no withdrawal symptoms at all, I don't get the same sense of instant calm and relaxation I would get from a cigarette, though It seems like it acts as a more powerful stimulant than a smoke. It also seems like the nicotine enters the bloodstream more slowly, and over a longer period of time.

While I've nothing to compare it to (other than cigarettes), the Leo seems to be a pretty solid device. I had some trouble with the atomizer at first, but got that mostly sorted out. It's great for dripping. Both kinds of cartomizers are good too, mostly in that they hold a lot, and produce thick vapor.

The first juices I tried were a bit too sweet for my taste, and had artificial flavor in them, which I wasn't wild about, but have since found a real-tobacco infused juice that is just barely sweet and actually tastes like fresh tobacco. I like it a lot.

I've spent quite a while on the forums here just reading and gathering info on what and where to buy my kit, and about the whole process. It has been extremely helpful, and I'm glad to see a thriving community here.

I'll be happy to report my experiences with the various leo parts and juices once I've had a longer go at them, though I think I like the standard carto the best so far.

I was spending about $30/month on rolling tobacco (and more like $100/month when I smoked prerolled), and based on my usage so far, I think vaping will cost me about the same as smoking drum, perhaps a little less.

Thanks for listening, I hope I didn't ramble on too much, I have a tendency to do that.

Best to all,

-pir
 

kingcobra

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All nicotine replacement therapies suffer from the same problem, which is that there is more to tobacco than just nicotine. Now some people will tell you that they are fully satisfied with vaping, but a lot of us aren't, and you seem to fall into that category as well. I too missed the relaxing experience of smoking when I gave it up. So I ended up trying WTA juice, which more closely resembles tobacco by including several other alkaloids in tobacco besides nicotine. So vaping this is more relaxing for me, and if you want to get that from vaping it might be worth looking into.
 

Accomplice

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May 20, 2012
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Congratulations on your first post!

About that "instant calm and relaxation": I'm new to this, in my third week, and sometimes that big battery feels too heavy, it's just "wrong". So I grab my 808 "mini cig" and sometimes just hold it between my fingers "old style". Didn't even realize that I was doing it at first and I have a pack of analogs sitting right here on my desk! Whatever works!!
 

Mroutlaw

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I'm with you raven. It was easy for me to transition because I needed the hand to mouth action. I even caught myself picking up a lighter and trying to light my 808.

What I missed in the beginning was the slight head rush i used to get with my first smoke of the day. To compensate, I use a higher nic for my first vape of the day, and then lower it the rest of the time
 

caffeinator

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Sometimes, for me, I think it's the "ritual" of smoking that I am missing. Just the lighting, flicking of the ash, and putting the silly thing out. Overall, the transition was still SUPER easy for me. I wouldn't even call it uncomfortable. But the rare occasion that I DO crave, I think it's those things that I miss.

I totally agree. As I'm facing quitting analogs, I've pondered what will be the hardest part and what will be the familiarity that help me transition to vaping.

I've found that for me, It's not really the nicotine, or even the flavor of analogs that kept me doing it for so long...it's the pure habit of doing it. Plus, just something to do for relaxation and stress relief, as well as for when I'm zoning out watching TV or at the computer (which is most of the time).

I just like the feel of it, the Cary Grant debonair aspect of smoking. Yeah, I'm a bit old...heheh.

So, vaping gives me everything I had before, minus the smelly wheezing death part, plus the added bonus of all this glorious tech I get to play with. Me likey gadgets. :)
 

NGIB

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What helped me a lot was sticking to my daily ritual. I replaced the smokes with a PV but kept my habits exactly the same. I still go outside (at work) to take vape breaks and still hang out with the smokers as it's also a social "event". The only drawback is that I can now smell a cigarette 20 feet away and they stink - bad. That is good motivation for me though as it reminds me how disgusting smoking really is...
 

pir123

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...So I ended up trying WTA juice, which more closely resembles tobacco by including several other alkaloids in tobacco besides nicotine. So vaping this is more relaxing for me, and if you want to get that from vaping it might be worth looking into.

Thanks for the advice, I think I will look into that.

Raven02 & Mroutlaw: Yes, the ritual of smoking is definitely part of the equation too, especially handrolling & the smell of the fresh tobacco, and certainly lighting. One thing I do like about the Leo is that I'm not tempted to try to take a lighter to the end of it :) I'm not sure if a smaller e-cig would do all that much for me -- though one place that vaping definitely feels way different is in the car.

Over all, I'd say the transition has been pretty easy for me too. I don't really get cravings per se, it's more like I feel like a smoke, and go to grab for my tobacco pouch (which is still sitting right next to my desk, and has tobacco in it) and then realize I have the PV. This happens most when I'm deeply involved in thought. I'd imagine that will change over time.


Another thing I'm noticing is that I'm drinking more water than I usually do. I'm seeing lots of others suggesting drinking lots of water, which is always a good idea (I'm a frequent water drinker from way back) but I find it interesting that I actually "automatically" started drinking more water.
 

JudeD

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The sweetness thing bothered me at first, too. It was just too much sweet for me, especially in the morning. I tried a bunch of tobacco flavors, but nothing hit the spot. I'm still searching for my perfect morning vape. I also use 18 first thing in the morning and then lower nic for the rest of the day, dropping to 6 or even 0 in the evenings when I want to chainvape without getting a headache. I'm doing some DIY trying to find a flavor that satisfies me with my morning coffee.

Sometimes I get an unsettled feeling like I want something more, but when I think about having an analog to quell the unsettled feeling, even the thought turns me off, so I just keep vaping until the feeling passes. It always does.

Welcome!
 

pir123

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The sweetness thing bothered me at first, too. It was just too much sweet for me, especially in the morning. I tried a bunch of tobacco flavors, but nothing hit the spot. I'm still searching for my perfect morning vape. I also use 18 first thing in the morning and then lower nic for the rest of the day, dropping to 6 or even 0 in the evenings when I want to chainvape without getting a headache. I'm doing some DIY trying to find a flavor that satisfies me with my morning coffee.

Sometimes I get an unsettled feeling like I want something more, but when I think about having an analog to quell the unsettled feeling, even the thought turns me off, so I just keep vaping until the feeling passes. It always does.

Welcome!

I found a tobacco-infused juice that I like. It's just *barely* sweet, and does taste like tobacco. It's still not as intensely satisfying as an analog, but I have a feeling that after a while, I won't be looking for that same sensation.

I hope you can find a juce that "does it" for you.
 

caffeinator

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I found a tobacco-infused juice that I like. It's just *barely* sweet, and does taste like tobacco. It's still not as intensely satisfying as an analog, but I have a feeling that after a while, I won't be looking for that same sensation.


Do tell, what is it??

My thing is, I've been RYO for years and not brand-allegiant at all. Finding a flavor might be easier for me as the ready-mades have tons of artificial flavors compared to a RYO. If it tastes like actual tobacco without having a cigar taste, I'll like it I think.
 

DC2

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I'm finding that while I've had no withdrawal symptoms at all, I don't get the same sense of instant calm and relaxation I would get from a cigarette, though It seems like it acts as a more powerful stimulant than a smoke. It also seems like the nicotine enters the bloodstream more slowly, and over a longer period of time.
You are correct on both counts...

The absorption of nicotine from electronic cigarettes is similar to the absorption rate using NRT products.
The absorption when using cigarettes is much faster.

As for that calm, relaxed feeling you got from smoking...
Some people, many people, perhaps most people don't really get that from nicotine alone.

When I really need to get some stress relief, to get that feeling, I take a few drags of WTA juice.
I don't use WTA juice all the time, only as needed.

Read more about WTA juice here...
Whole Tabacco Alkaloid (WTA) juice
 
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pir123

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Do tell, what is it??.

I found it here:

Vaperite - Tobacco

I've tried both the "House Extracted Natural Tobacco" and "Organic Tobacco" flavors. They're quite similar, though the organic one seems to be a tad less harsh, which I like.

It doesn't taste like a cigarette really, but basically tastes like fresh cut tobacco smells.

Mostly I'm appreciating the lack of artificial flavor and the fact that is hardly sweet-tasting at all, despite being a 50/50 mix.
 
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