Nicotene Addiction. Is there a minimum?

[redddog]

Just curious.

I have a sort of unique situation. Been on/off smoking my whole life and the phases can last for years. I can smoke for 3 years and then quit for 3 etc.

I'm going through a nightmare family health issue and rather than start up on the Camel Blues (which was inevitable), I grabed a Volt Starter kit.

I have settled on 30/70 juice from Heather's Heavenly in a 6mg and I generally have been vaping about 3/4 to a ml at night. I have absolutely no desire to grab the pack of Camels because of this. I know that there is generally anger from the forum when a "non-smoker" picks up vaping because of the negative press and the "see, it's attracting new smokers" arguments. But I do feel like this is a special situation.

My question really is: If I am vaping usually under a ml a day of 6mg juice, am I really worried about forming a huge nicotene addiction? I know any nicotene in the system puts you at risk for that but I'm really just curious if that amount is so small that I needn't worry all that much. Or if I'm sticking my head in the sand.

Thanks guys.

 

[gthompson]

Under a ml a day of 6mg juice is probably the nicotine equivalent of 2 or 3 ultra light cigarettes a day. I wouldn't call that a "huge" nicotine addiction by any stretch.

 

[MorpheusPA]

You are a smoker, just an on-off smoker. So no vaper hate here! It's gotta be better to on-off vape than on-off smoke.

Individual reactions to nicotine vary extremely widely, so you might be developing a large monkey from the 6 mg. But you probably aren't, given that Camels really pack a punch and you didn't seem to get permanently addicted to those.

If it worries you, get 0 mg nic juice and try vaping that. Maybe you only crave the hand to mouth habit completion. Or try mixing your (same flavored) 0 nic juice with your 6 mg to produce 3 mg (or whatever mg you like in that range).

Me, I'm an addict. 22 mg keeps me off the cigs, except maybe 1 per day. I'm hopeful that 1 will fade, because I wait until the craving for whatever I'm addicted to in it gets intolerable, and that's taking longer every day.

 

[ardelleg]

Over the last 18+ months I have worked my way down to less than 6mg, often 0mg. My habit seems to be all related to the actions of smoking: hand to mouth, something to have in my hands, creating vapor..... not so much the nicotine.
When I was a smoker I didn't leave the house without my cigarettes and if I was in an environment where I couldn't smoke the thought was always right there... now I don't feel the 'panic' if I don't have my ecig with me at all times and when I am somewhere I can't/don't 'smoke' it rarely crosses my mind....
Years ago I had read that there are basically 2 kinds of smokers, the ones more dependent on the nicotine and the ones more dependent on the physical actions... I seem to be one of the latter.
I have never understood the 'anger' generated toward people who start vaping when they have never smoked or have been quit for awhile. I doubt in the grand scheme of things that anyone will notice that you are vaping or that it will have any effect on whether I get to vape.
As long as it is working for you keep it up

 

[guitarman023]

I would vape the lowest nicotine you can stand without having any cigs. If you can do 0mg, then do it. I've been on 0 nic for a couple years, and it's great to not have to lug cigs or vape gear all the time. My habit has become 0 nic in my office and usually after dinner. Other than that, I can do without now, which is awesome.

 

[markfm]

1ml of 6 mg/ml is pretty small. You're likely metabolizing about 1 - 1.5 mg worth of that 6, so about 2 light cigs as already said, and you're not getting the MAOIs, TSNAs, carbon monoxide, or other chemicals from a burning cigarette.

 

[redddog]

Just ordered some 3 mg juice.

I'm pretty comfortable at that level, I think.

I dunno. If it's just nicotene, I might be overthinking this thing.

 

[JENerationX]

You're definitely over thinking. Nicotine in and of itself is in the same class a caffeine as far as addiction goes. At 1ML of 6mg juice, you're only getting a few cigs worth. I use some 6mg, 8mg, and 12mg depending on the situation... mostly 6mg lately. I'm in no way as dependent on vaping as I ever was on smoking. I can get through hours or even an entire day forgetting to vape. Of course if something stresses me out... it's the first thing I reach for.

I have the Volt 78mm batteries, their X2s, and a Zenesis. If you ever need any help or just want to chat or hit a little vape get together and try some different juices and devices, check out the Upstate NY Vapers Club here on ECF. There's quite a few of us in Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse, and other areas.

 

[Winkos]

Nicotine is naturally found in nature which is why your gut has nicotine receptors. I am definately not worried about being addicted to nicotine any more because I can go hours or even half a day if I am busy and not feel any withdrawl. However if I am stressed I need by e-cig as it is all psychological for me. I call it my binky and can get quite cranky if I want it and find the battery dead.

 

[Rickajho]

Hi.

Over thinking - and under thinking - at the same time.

It's hard to say definitively "this is the minimum" nicotine anyone needs. Everyone has a different vaping style and different absorption rates. So you might get bowled over by a 24 mg nic level. But I barely get anything out of it. That's the beauty of vaping - you get to play and determine what is right for you. What I have to say on this one doesn't really matter.

If I'm understanding your post correctly you have been a smoker. Perhaps off and on - but still a smoker. I don't see a conflict here. If vaping helps to prevent you from returning to smoking...? Where is the issue? Don't beat yourself up over making a better choice. You now have options.

 

[FleetFoxes]

No way I definetly don't think you are. There are a lot of guys on this forum who vape 4ml of 24mg a day so consider yourself good. No worries