Nic Level: Anxiety

[spitfirelance]

Quick history and then some math.
Diagnosed with panic disorder / anxiety about 15 years ago and have been on medication for the past 10 years.
Anxiety level has gone up recently (about the same time as switching to vaping)

Was a pack & a half a day smoker (full flavor)
Cigs = appx 25mg/nicotine per pack
25mg X 1.5 = 40mg day

Now vaping 18mg juice
Vape 2.4ml per day
18mg per ml
18(mg) x 2.4(ml) = 43.2(mg) a day

About the same amount of nic as I was getting smoking cigarettes. Right?
I've read some old threads with a lot of different opinions on the matter including PG/VG ratio but am wondering if anyone else closely matches my history and current set up that is or has experienced the same thing.

Cheers!

It's been 5 weeks smoke free now and I'm currently using a combo of an MVP and eGo Twists with dual coil tanks.
Is there anything else in a cigarette that I was addicted too and I'm no longer getting that may be causing this?

 

[db13berry]

Yes. There are about 4000 other chemicals in cigs. You are probably more addicted to some of them than the nic.

With vaping, you are going to absorb less nicotine than with cigs. The molecules in vape are larger and take longer for us to absorb.
Welcome to ECF!

 

[r77r7r]

if you try the Advanced Search ( top-right) there are many threads on this. Perhaps you'll get a quicker, better answer there.

Advanced Search - E-Cigarette Forum

 

[patkin]

I've seen this discussed pretty in-depth here. Try doing a search for key words "panic" "anxiety" if the folks who posted on those threads don't show up on this one.

 

[Stosh]

The nic levels you are comparing are apples to oranges. The 40mg from smokes is the amount you actually were absorbing, not what was contained in the pack, (much of it is destroyed by burning) The 43mg in vaping is what is contained in the liquid, the commonly accepted level of absorption is about 1/2, so ~22mg.

I smoked about 1 1/2 pad, full flavor, high nic cigs. It took 36 mg liquid for me to kick the habit. That said there is also other possible components, WTA (Whole Tobacco Alkaloids) that are absent in most e-liquid. Some vapers find them helpful, and there is a few sites that sell the e-liquid. Other will use Swedish Snus to provide the WTAs.....http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/smokeless-tobacco/80061-beginners-guide-snus.html

 

[spitfirelance]

I've read some old threads with a lot of different opinions on the matter including PG/VG ratio but am wondering if anyone else closely matches my history and current set up that is or has experienced the same thing.

I did search, and read, and also googled plenty on the subject. Just got a lot of possibilities. Was hoping to find a better match to my issue/history.
Wasn't being lazy.

 

[spitfirelance]

The nic levels you are comparing are apples to oranges. The 40mg from smokes is the amount you actually were absorbing, not what was contained in the pack, (much of it is destroyed by burning) The 43mg in vaping is what is contained in the liquid, the commonly accepted level of absorption is about 1/2, so ~22mg.

I smoked about 1 1/2 pad, full flavor, high nic cigs. It took 36 mg liquid for me to kick the habit. That said there is also other possible components, WTA (Whole Tobacco Alkaloids) that are absent in most e-liquid. Some vapers find them helpful, and there is a few sites that sell the e-liquid. Other will use Swedish Snus to provide the WTAs.....http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/smokeless-tobacco/80061-beginners-guide-snus.html

Are you suggesting trying 24mg juice. I'm also planning to make a doc appointment but thinks he won't be much help unless he tweaks my meds.

 

[jfjardine02]

Always hard to tell what is causing an increase in anxiety on stopping smoking.
Do you consume much caffeine? Stopping smoking can halve speed of caffeine metabolism leaving heavy coffee drinkers feeling very anxious despite drinking the same amount of coffee. (not a nicotine effect, its the other stuff in tobacco).
Do you know the PG/VG ratio of your liquid? Although others may not agree, there is some recent evidence that VG, while creating a nice foggy vapor, does not facilitate transfer of nicotine into the vapor. It could be one or a combination of many things, but nicotine withdrawal caused by lower nicotine absorption is one possibility (that should be temporary...a few weeks). Even if we don't help, could you post to let us know what happens? Best of luck.

 

[The One Called V]

Most likely its a combination of factors such as nicotine absorption, other chemicals from cigarettes that have formed addictions, even just the psychologically aspect of lighting up and getting what you have conditioned your mind and body as acceptable, caffeine intake as well.

There are many many factors of addiction to cigarettes. But of course it will be best to get an opinion from a medical professional. Perhaps even those specialised in addictions as they be able to fully explain the relationship of anxiety and the other components of addictive behavior.

 

[spitfirelance]

Always hard to tell what is causing an increase in anxiety on stopping smoking.
Do you consume much caffeine? Stopping smoking can halve speed of caffeine metabolism leaving heavy coffee drinkers feeling very anxious despite drinking the same amount of coffee. (not a nicotine effect, its the other stuff in tobacco).
Do you know the PG/VG ratio of your liquid? Although others may not agree, there is some recent evidence that VG, while creating a nice foggy vapor, does not facilitate transfer of nicotine into the vapor. It could be one or a combination of many things, but nicotine withdrawal caused by lower nicotine absorption is one possibility (that should be temporary...a few weeks). Even if we don't help, could you post to let us know what happens? Best of luck.

Have recently switched from 80PG/20VG to 50/50. Thanks for the info. No coffee but do drink soda at night with my cocktails.

 

[smithie007]

If you could please let me know what you find out as I also have anxiety, panic, ptsd, and bipolar disorder and have had increased anxiety since switching to vaping. I am currently using 24mg fluid.

 

[Stosh]

Are you suggesting trying 24mg juice. I'm also planning to make a doc appointment but thinks he won't be much help unless he tweaks my meds.

24 mg may be your sweet spot, possibly even higher, everyone is different. Just wanted to let you know your level was not particularly high for the level you were smoking. The WTA or snus may also help, speaking to your doc is a spot on idea.

Using the 18 mg liquid you already have, you can just vape a bit more often to see how it affects you, an extra mL per day may also be an alternative. The extra hand to mouth action may suit you, it's also part of our addiction, and a reason e-cigs can be so effective in quitting smoking....

 

[dice57]

Nicotine absorption from vape is drastically different from smokes. Also ones vape gear and watts vaped at have a huge factor on vape nic delivery. When I used cig-a-likes or an ego style device I needed 24 mg nic juice to satisfy my cravings. Once I moved on to regulated and mechanical mods, using re-buildable atomizers and vaping at higher watts, I had to drop down to 12 mg nic juice to maintain the same level of nic delivery, otherwise I'd get to much nic.

With vape one must listen to the body and adjust their vape to accommodate. If you are getting to much nic, drop the levels down, if not enough, jump it up a tad.

Would recommend trying some 24 mg juice and see if that helps. Takes some time to totally detoxify from the chemicals smoking introduced to our bodies. Being able to adjust ones juice can help get through the changes that occur. One of the most frustrating aspects of vape is dialing in ones personal preference. Everyone is different. I prefer high VG juice, 70-80% VG, then there's finding the right flavor, and the proper nic level that will satisfy.

Mix up a little till you find what's best for you. I went up and down the PG/VG ratio scale till I found what worked best for me.

Vape long and Prosper.!!

 

[Buggainok]

I can only speak for myself....but I was a pretty heavy smoker, pack and a half, sometimes got almost though the second one. I did this for many years.

I do not have any past anxiety issues, in fact, I'm known as the "cool head" in my family. I started with 18 mg. and didn't smoke, but was experiencing vague, anxious feelings. I had nothing to compare them to previously, but sure did not like the feelings I was having. Kind of like I was waiting for something to happen, and it probably wasn't going to be good.

I went to the vape shop and got some 24 mg. and in a matter of a few hours I was totally comfortable. Quite a big difference between 18 mg and 24 mg. for me. You might try bumping up to 24 mg and see how it goes.

 

[Cloud Junky]

Quick history and then some math.
Diagnosed with panic disorder / anxiety about 15 years ago and have been on medication for the past 10 years.
Anxiety level has gone up recently (about the same time as switching to vaping)

Was a pack & a half a day smoker (full flavor)
Cigs = appx 25mg/nicotine per pack
25mg X 1.5 = 40mg day

Now vaping 18mg juice
Vape 2.4ml per day
18mg per ml
18(mg) x 2.4(ml) = 43.2(mg) a day

About the same amount of nic as I was getting smoking cigarettes. Right?
I've read some old threads with a lot of different opinions on the matter including PG/VG ratio but am wondering if anyone else closely matches my history and current set up that is or has experienced the same thing.

Cheers!

It's been 5 weeks smoke free now and I'm currently using a combo of an MVP and eGo Twists with dual coil tanks.
Is there anything else in a cigarette that I was addicted too and I'm no longer getting that may be causing this?

You get more nic from vaping honestly, the reason is because with your math you are in the 40mg margin which is high in a day with ejuice, but that is subjective to a point. You are getting all of the vapor from the nicotine rather than it burning off when actually smoking, I would say that from smoking you would get half of what you are vaping. That is my opinion only.

 

[LongHaul]

Just my .02
Nicotine in coping does nothing for my anxiety attacks the only think that works in to grab a smoke and by the end I am back to clear thinking. I am bipolar 1 and have PTSD so it gets pretty interesting at times. I don't take meds and probably won't ever take them since I can't seen to find anything that works as fast as a cig can.

 

[castin]

It will be 4 weeks on Thursday since I have had a cigarette, and I have anxiety problems also. I have noticed that since I have switched to vaping that my anxiety has also went up. I also think that it is all the other chemicals in the cigarettes that is affecting me. They put chemicals in cigarettes that make them more additive and the vape does not have those. I think that it will take a while to get those out of my system and then it will be easier to vape. I know this has to be better for me because I am already breathing better. I get dehydrated from vaping and have to drink more than normal, but drinking more water does help flush those bad chemicals out of my system. I wish you the best of luck.

 

[Stosh]

You get more nic from vaping honestly, the reason is because with your math you are in the 40mg margin which is high in a day with ejuice, but that is subjective to a point. You are getting all of the vapor from the nicotine rather than it burning off when actually smoking, I would say that from smoking you would get half of what you are vaping. That is my opinion only.

Not exactly....In terms of sheer nicotine contained, an unburned combustible cigarette contains 12-17 mg of nicotine, of which about 75-90% is burned, filtered, or diluted out and not consumed by a smoker. Vaping the nicotine is measured as a percentage of the eliquid, of which only about 1/2 of the total is absorbed by the vaper.