Newbie Question about Nic Levels

[isumpin]

Can someone please help with the disagreement between my husband and I about nicotine levels. I was a smoker for 38 years, by the time I quit I was smoking three packs a day. I had to stop for serious health issues and quit cold turkey on 11 March. I did Blu for a week or so until the charger died. Then back to cold turkey. Two weeks ago, I discovered vaping. Instantly addicted, in my E liquids I have every imaginable level of nicotine, and keep cutting back. I vape pretty heavily, almost like I did when the smoking. Sometimes if I get distracted I'll forget about it for a little bit. But in situations where I smoked heavily such as in front of the computer or TV, or in the car it is a constant thing. My husband thinks it's because I'm not getting enough nicotine. My side is that I have replaced smoking was something similar that does something with my mouth and my hands. And has nothing to do with the level of nicotine. In two weeks I have cut my level back to almost 3 mg of nicotine, and if I smoke any higher milligram I get a headache, which reading tells me I'm getting too much nicotine. So who's right?

Thanks for any advice and suggestions.

 

[dave51]

Your both right

I smoked 4 packs a day when I started vapeing and i started at 18mg nic which wasnt enough and was constantly puffing
Then I switched to 36mg and slowed way down on puffing
When Im driving I puff a lot more just from the stressd of traffic and it requires more nic

Your puffing more in front of the computer because your missing the hand action of smoking
I helped that by keeping a small pipe tool close by that I will fiddle with

You might try drinking more fluids for the headachs vapeing does dehidrate the membranes in the mouth and dehidration

Im down to 18mg so far and intend to spend at least a month or two at each stage before
I drop to a lower mgit will give the body and nerveious system time to adjust to the lower nic value

 

[Harlen]

Hello
For me I needed 36mg/ml to feel right or at least close to right then I started to cut down on the nicotine , down to8mg/ml now.
Do what makes you feel right
Best wishes

 

[Spazmelda]

For a former 3 pack a day smoker to go down to 3 mg over the course of 2 weeks is what I would consider fast, bordering perhaps on 'too fast'. But, otoh, you say vaping any higher gives you headaches.

I don't know. I tend to vape more if my nicotine is lower. If you are the type of person that's just going to vape and vape no matter what the level, and higher than 3 mg feels like too much, I guess 3 mg is the right answer for you.

 

[dice57]

Just headaches may or may not be from increased nic. Usually other symptoms are felt too, like dizziness, blurred vision, sweating. PG/VG ratios come into play also, some are sensitive to one or the other, and dehydration plays it's part too. I started at 18mg, went up to 24mg, and then got into rba's and mods. I then had to drop down to 18mg and am now at 12mg. The better my gear and builds became, the greater the nic delivery, so I had to drop my levels or walk around dazed and confused for an hour.

 

[Feryll]

A single cigarette is max 12 puffs, you probably vape more than that at once (I do) so low nic content seems reasonable to me.

 

[Razzlematt]

We are all on our own journey to find vape Nirvava.





O

 

[kachuge]

so right...... I've experienced the same thing.....

I've also noticed that when i'm wicking cotton, I get more taste, and more nic delivery..........

g

 

[MySubliminalYear]

The first four weeks after I quit smoking, I dealt a lot with headaches, accompanied by flu like symptoms. I was making constant adjustments to my nic levels, as well as working out the kinks in which gear worked best with which juices. The doc told me that the symptoms I was experiencing had a lot to do with all the yucky chemicals from cigs working their way out of my system and my body readjusting to existing without them. Maybe that is what you are experiencing? Hang in there, it gets sooooo much better after you adjust!

I may be new to the forum, but I am not new to vaping. I'm a chronic chain vaper. If I am in a position to chain vape, I WILL! In the car, in front of the tv, at my desk at work, even laying in bed before I go to sleep (this isn't a problem, right?! lol) . I started at 24mg and have worked my way down to 6 mg, and no matter what level I was at, the time spent vaping hasn't changed. But for me, it's about the ACT of smoking, keeping my hands and mouth occupied. I need to be doing something all the time, or I get antsy and anxious. This is just my experience, but I hope it helps in some way.

 

[VapieDan]

The first four weeks after I quit smoking, I dealt a lot with headaches, accompanied by flu like symptoms. I was making constant adjustments to my nic levels, as well as working out the kinks in which gear worked best with which juices. The doc told me that the symptoms I was experiencing had a lot to do with all the yucky chemicals from cigs working their way out of my system and my body readjusting to existing without them. Maybe that is what you are experiencing? Hang in there, it gets sooooo much better after you adjust!

I may be new to the forum, but I am not new to vaping. I'm a chronic chain vaper. If I am in a position to chain vape, I WILL! In the car, in front of the tv, at my desk at work, even laying in bed before I go to sleep (this isn't a problem, right?! lol) . I started at 24mg and have worked my way down to 6 mg, and no matter what level I was at, the time spent vaping hasn't changed. But for me, it's about the ACT of smoking, keeping my hands and mouth occupied. I need to be doing something all the time, or I get antsy and anxious. This is just my experience, but I hope it helps in some way.

I do not understand why everyone is so concerned about nicotine levels or how much they vape. I now realize how much the hand to mouth action meant to me with cigarettes. I say go for whatever you are comfortable with and you feel well. Perhaps I should wait for a study to tell me what's good for me? My theory is sucking on a mod all day is far better for you than one cigarette.

 

[The Vaping Trucker]

2 pack a day smoker for over 30 years so I know what you mean about the keeping your hands and mouth busy doing something and vaping just feels natural for filling that.

I started at 24mg nic within 3 days dropped to 18 mg nic where I am now and I can vape as much or as little as I want with no problems.
Everyone is different in this some need more some less.

I say what ever makes you feel right is where you need to be wether its 0mg or 24mg or whatever.

But you should look into the pg levels of your juice and see if changing to a higher vg level or all vg juice will help with the headaches.
That symptom seems more to relate with pg rather than nic IMHO. As others have said usually nic symptoms include other things as well.

Either way enjoy your journey

 

[Grimwald]

I was a 40 year chain smoker...so it was a forgone conclusion that I would be a chain vaper. For me at least, it's much easier to cut the nic level than it is to cut down on vaping. I started at 24mg, but after 2-3 months I needed to cut down and cut back on other stimulants like caffeine and sugar until I began to get my body in balance. There is something about how your body (and liver) react when you cut out all of the chemicals in cigarettes. After 6 months I was down in steps to 9mg and back to my full strength coffee. Now after 19 months I'm at 7.5 mg. I'm finding it difficult to cut more, but I'm still chain vaping.

 

[cruze808]

We are creatures of habit, the chemical dependency for me is not as hard as the physical one. I use to chew to get my nic but soon craved the feeling of smoking. We are all different though, the one thing I can suggest is get your fav juice in two strengths 24mg and 0mg, Iif its from a local shop buy a extra bottle dropper the same ml as the other 2. In the empty bottle pour half of the 0mg, with the 24mg pour half into the 0mg bottle, mix then pour half of that mix into the extra bottle with 0mg. What you should get is half a bottle of 24mg half of 12mg and a full bottle of 6mg. Itll help to narrow down your symptoms. Same juice different nic content.

 

[TotlKaos]

I am pretty much the same way. I am vaping a lot.. but I'm sure it's mental to replace the cigarette. My nics are down to 6mg after a almost a month.. and I am starting to feel a lot better than I used to.. so even though I'm puffing .. I feel It's ok as I am improving overall. I think it should be what works for you!

 

[edyle]

Can someone please help with the disagreement between my husband and I about nicotine levels. I was a smoker for 38 years, by the time I quit I was smoking three packs a day. I had to stop for serious health issues and quit cold turkey on 11 March. I did Blu for a week or so until the charger died. Then back to cold turkey. Two weeks ago, I discovered vaping. Instantly addicted, in my E liquids I have every imaginable level of nicotine, and keep cutting back. I vape pretty heavily, almost like I did when the smoking. Sometimes if I get distracted I'll forget about it for a little bit. But in situations where I smoked heavily such as in front of the computer or TV, or in the car it is a constant thing. My husband thinks it's because I'm not getting enough nicotine. My side is that I have replaced smoking was something similar that does something with my mouth and my hands. And has nothing to do with the level of nicotine. In two weeks I have cut my level back to almost 3 mg of nicotine, and if I smoke any higher milligram I get a headache, which reading tells me I'm getting too much nicotine. So who's right?

Thanks for any advice and suggestions.

Headache.
There's your answer.

You have to do whatever is comfortable for YOU.

 

[wareagle2015]

Try a higher nic in the morning to get your levels up and then drop it down a bit during the day and evening if you're vaping a lot. That's helped me.

 

[MissBlue]

yes, the 'smoking behavior' habit is AS important, and AS hard a habit to break, as is the nicotine habit. For me it was actually MORE important to have a replacement for that, than it was for the nicotine - i can happily vape 3 or 0 with no problem - but without a replacement for the behavior, i was not previously able to quit. vaping is the ONLY thing that has enabled me to put down the cigarettes - i HAD to have something to hold in my hand, and puff on. Since i got laid off, and am home all day job hunting on the computer or watching tv, or doing chores or whatever - being able to sit down and 'have my vape' , just like i would sit down and 'have my smoke break', was the only thing that worked for me. 'Only' replacing the nicotine, like with gum or an rX, was useless. Being able to mimic the 'smoking behavior' was the key.

 

[Tbev]

If your vaping more than you'd like to, use higher nic, lower nic usually give better taste. Well more flavor.

 

[Slots]

If its from a local shop buy a extra bottle dropper the same ml as the other 2. In the empty bottle pour half of the 0mg, with the 24mg pour half into the 0mg bottle, mix then pour half of that mix into the extra bottle with 0mg. What you should get is half a bottle of 24mg half of 12mg and a full bottle of 6mg. Itll help to narrow down your symptoms. Same juice different nic content.

This is a great answer.
First off, if your getting to much nicotine, the 1st thing you will feel is nauseous.
This will tell you to reduce the nic or the amount of puffing.
If you enjoy the puffing more than just going for the nic, use the lower level of nic.

I find that if I'm busy, I might not vape for an hour or more .. then I need a few heavy duty puffs to bring my level up.
If I'm sitting in front of the computer continually puffing, I need a light juice or I would over do it.
So, since your fairly new to vaping, have juices at different levels handy until you get it all figured out.

Headaches can be caused from too much OR too little nic or maybe not enough water to flush all the toxins your body is dumping right now.... everyone reacts differently.
Then again with all the changes your going through, the nicotine may have nothing to do with it.
There is no "black or white" answer.
It will take a couple of months for everything to settle and you can be more adaptable to the changes by having various levels of juice handy, so you can go with the flow.

Just adapt as it's called for and 2 months down the line, you'll find your pace.