Propylene Glycol and Alcohol with Depression

[jetracer06]

So after 5 days of vaping, I've noticed I get depressed towards to end of the days tied with a little more emotional than usual..
did some more reading around ECF and found out PG is metalbolized by Dehydrogenase Enzymes.
Dehydrogenase, which is the one and only enzyme that breaks up ethanol(alcohol) in our bodies..
Whenever alcohol is in our bodies, those enzymes are put to work by metabolizing and breaking them down FIRST and before anything else in our body until all the alcohol is fully broken down.. Which leaves all the fatty acids from the food we ate to store up in our liver.

Reading up on PG, it says that over accumulation of unmetabolized PG in our body causes CNS Depression and few other things that don't sound too pleasing to have...
hxxp://xxx.atsdr.cdc.gov/csem/egpg/intoxication.html
(replace x's with t and w)

So does this mean that heavy alcohol consumption should be avoided with vaping with PG?? cuz I drink kinda heavily on wknds and such and moderately during the week day...
I wasn't tryin to be a teacher up top by explaining all that but if anyone has any input on this topic please feel free for I am finding more and more little downsides to vaping..

 

[Nyxie]

I havent had problems with drinking and vaping.
I just want to point out something that I noticed in your post about depression. There are maoi's in cigs and if you were addicted to those in cigs as well as the nic . This could be the reason you are feeling depressed.
I am normally kind of depressed and anxious. After the last cigs I had and maybe for about 3 or 4 weeks I was more depressed than usual. After that it seems I have leveled off.

 

[Nyxie]

I guess I should have said I am not a heavy drinker either. I do have an occasional weekend slamming though.

 

[Automaton]

Have you stopped smoking?

There are MAOI's in cigarettes that e-cigs don't have. And withdrawing from that can cause depression.

I find that far more likely than that a couple ml of PG causing depression. Keep in mind, it is a tiny tiny amount you're vaping.

Two things to try out that are easy to get, and proven effective:
1. St. John's Wort. DO NOT USE if you have bipolar disorder. It can also make your skin slightly sensitive to sunlight. Otherwise, pretty harmless. Pick it up in the vitamin aisle.

2. Omega-3 (fish oil). I take this, and it's great for all kinds of things from your heart to your memory to a whole variety of mental illness, including depression, bipolar, and schizophrenia. New studies about it are coming out every day, and they're all very promising. Again, pick it up in the vitamin aisle.

I've found Omega-3 very helpful. I typically take about 4000mg per day. I'm upping it to 6000mg in preparation to get completely off cigarettes, though.

 

[jetracer06]

Have you stopped smoking?

There are MAOI's in cigarettes that e-cigs don't have. And withdrawing from that can cause depression.

I find that far more likely than that a couple ml of PG causing depression. Keep in mind, it is a tiny tiny amount you're vaping.

Two things to try out that are easy to get, and proven effective:
1. St. John's Wort. DO NOT USE if you have bipolar disorder. It can also make your skin slightly sensitive to sunlight. Otherwise, pretty harmless. Pick it up in the vitamin aisle.

2. Omega-3 (fish oil). I take this, and it's great for all kinds of things from your heart to your memory to a whole variety of mental illness, including depression, bipolar, and schizophrenia. New studies about it are coming out every day, and they're all very promising. Again, pick it up in the vitamin aisle.

I've found Omega-3 very helpful. I typically take about 4000mg per day. I'm upping it to 6000mg in preparation to get completely off cigarettes, though.

Good call mistress, I use to take omega pills but stopped for some reason.. now would be a good time to start taking them again..

 

[Kimber]

Another option if you're worried about any possible long term effects of PG, you could always switch to Vegetable Glycerin juice. Cignot is one of the many suppliers that sell VG only juice.

That article only addressee PG in the title. The rest was about Ethylene Glycol which is a completely different substance.

Leave it to a website where the domain is *.gov to be misleading

 

[malyden]

This most likely won't answer your question as I almost never drink alcohol, but I can tell you as a suffer of sever chronic depression for over 30yrs I am feeling better than I have in quite some time. Although I have not totally kicked the regular smokes (I still smoke about 1/2pk a day) I can say with out a doubt that since I started using the ecig my mood is not so up and down - granted I do still have my bad days but they are no where near as bad as they use to be and I am down from taking several types of antidepressant to just one.
Hope this helps

 

[Automaton]

This most likely won't answer your question as I almost never drink alcohol, but I can tell you as a suffer of sever chronic depression for over 30yrs I am feeling better than I have in quite some time. Although I have not totally kicked the regular smokes (I still smoke about 1/2pk a day) I can say with out a doubt that since I started using the ecig my mood is not so up and down - granted I do still have my bad days but they are no where near as bad as they use to be and I am down from taking several types of antidepressant to just one.
Hope this helps

Wow, this gives me a bit of hope.

I have a rather colorful mental health history, to put a sunny spin on it. And I have been terrified of what it's gong to be like. Every time I try to quit cigs, it's the psychological symptoms that get me. The physical withdrawal I can live with - it's unpleasant, but I've felt worse. But the mental stuff... it's really bad.

I also live med-free, and have been doing really well at that. I'm pretty scared of not being able to maintain that if I quit.

But it's nice to hear of someone's mental symptoms actually getting BETTER instead of worse.

 

[malyden]

MistressNomad - glad I could give you a ray of hope Although I don't know how typical my experience is, hopefully others can chime in too. By the way I've also lost over 30LBs with out trying - my dr put me through all kinds of tests to make sure nothing was wrong and ended up telling me "what ever you're doing keep it up" so I am

 

[zbasspro]

Good call mistress, I use to take omega pills but stopped for some reason.. now would be a good time to start taking them again..

If you can`t remember why you stopped taking it, cross memory off the helpful list

 

[jetracer06]

Every time I try to quit cigs, it's the psychological symptoms that get me. The physical withdrawal I can live with - it's unpleasant, but I've felt worse. But the mental stuff... it's really bad.

Yea my biggest problem a couple days ago was the fact that i REAALLY wanted to just light a cigarette up.. I didn't even want the cig itself but just wanted something to light up and take one drag of... and the fact the cig are just soo much easier sometimes like in social or stressfull situations.. and no I have not had a single analog since i have received my electronic..

Yea i've always been somewhat depressed but lately it's just been more frequent and longer than usual..

 

[mini_art]

Well , I am taking a med for depression but am reducing the dose now and will quit taking it soon. I also have lost about 15 pounds without trying.
I also quit taking a asthma med I took for years at a very high dosage.

There is a lot of HOPE with these things. Its working for me big time and I love it!
Good luck with your journey too

 

[Danyulc]

Another thing I've noticed that can lead to minor depression when switching from smoking to vaping is the fact that you aren't taking the occasional trips outside anymore.

I've only been vaping a bit over 3 weeks and I've also noticed a bit of an onset of depression. Nothing too severe, but it is noticeable.

I think part of it is because I'm not taking those trips downstairs to smoke. Which kind of segmented the day for me. Because I'm unemployed I don't get out as much as I'd like to right now. Got a knee injury that keeps me hobbled, but hopefully it will get some extended time off of it.

Also another factor which I think has lead to a slight bit of 'depression' is the fact that PV's are my current obsession. I usually go through various cycles of obsessions. Mainly I spend all my leisure time devoted to that specific obsession. Whether it is TV or a certain videogame or whatever. The PV obsession is really fun, the only problem is I've noticed that the best way to keep the fun going is to make sure you've got some packages coming in the mail, lol. Unfortunately because I'm unemployed I've got to be really picky with my spending. So I can't buy quite as much as I'd like to.

Despite all of this I'm still WAY happier to be off of analogs. The slight depression, which is probably just the blues will pass in time I'm sure. Then when it levels off I'll be analog free and this 3-4 weeks of boredom will be history.

I should also mention that I've had previous problems with depression but generally have been symptom free for the last couple of years or so. Also, I quit taking most of my ADD medicine when I started vaping. Seemed like its stimulant effect was causing me to have an elevated heartrate when mixed with vaping. I started taking it more regularly again a few days ago and it seems to be working out well so far. I just take half as much as I used to!

Anyway, hope this provides some insight to any of you that are struggling through similar difficulties. I know how bad it can be at times, but, just remind yourself that eventually it will pass! Also, try to do anything you can to keep busy or failing that just take a nap if you feel like it, lol.

Hope this helps!

-Danyulc

 

[Danyulc]

Yea my biggest problem a couple days ago was the fact that i REAALLY wanted to just light a cigarette up.. I didn't even want the cig itself but just wanted something to light up and take one drag of... and the fact the cig are just soo much easier sometimes like in social or stressfull situations.. and no I have not had a single analog since i have received my electronic..

Yea i've always been somewhat depressed but lately it's just been more frequent and longer than usual..

I know EXACTLY what you mean and that is the same feeling I have had occasionally. Where I want to go outside and smoke even though I know I don't need nicotine.

I think it has to do with our habits and smoking. Whenever you felt bad before you can always say 'I'll go smoke a cigarette!'. Even though it doesn't always make you feel better it was comforting to know you had that option available.

For whatever reason even though PV's deliver the same drug because my habits are different it just isn't the same thing. However, I have noticed very recently that I've started feeling better and it has become less of an issue.

I even tried going outside with my PV and a tobacco flavor. That wasn't too satisfying though just because it's so hot and I'd rather 'smoke' inside. However, your mileage might vary with that.

Eventually I'm pretty sure you'll start feeling better. Good luck and feel free to PM me or ask in this thread if you have any questions or anything at all!

-Danyulc

 

[Automaton]

Also another factor which I think has lead to a slight bit of 'depression' is the fact that PV's are my current obsession. I usually go through various cycles of obsessions. Mainly I spend all my leisure time devoted to that specific obsession.

I totally know what you mean! I go through 2-3 months of getting REALLY obsessed with something, and then drop it like a sack of potatoes. It's the weirdest thing. I hope it doesn't happen with e-cigs!

I guess the thing that makes me nervous is that there are so few people with my severity of mental illness who aren't on meds. I have a dual diagnosis of bipolar NOS and PTSD. And when I try to look for some sort of indication of what I need to be doing for myself, I find nothing. Because there's so few people who go med-free when they have this serious of a diagnosis. I've had to find the path on my own, and there have been many "dark nights of the soul" on the way.

I've been well for quite a long time now. Episodes and triggers come and go, but I've gotten good enough at prevention and pro-activity that they're never that bad anymore. And I really don't want to jeopardize that, because... well, there's so little advice out there for me if something goes wrong. And I like being well.

I think a lot of what I like about smoking is the "go outside and spend 5 minutes deep-breathing" aspect. Maybe that's something I'll keep doing with a vape, unless I'm writing. Writing time is somewhat sacred to me, and I admit to lighting up a few while at my keyboard if I'm REALLY engrossed in what I'm writing. Smoking and writing just go together for me... that'll be tough to let go of too.

 

[jetracer06]

I think part of it is because I'm not taking those trips downstairs to smoke. Which kind of segmented the day for me. Because I'm unemployed I don't get out as much as I'd like to right now. Got a knee injury that keeps me hobbled, but hopefully it will get some extended time off of it.

Also another factor which I think has lead to a slight bit of 'depression' is the fact that PV's are my current obsession. I usually go through various cycles of obsessions. Mainly I spend all my leisure time devoted to that specific obsession. Whether it is TV or a certain videogame or whatever. The PV obsession is really fun, the only problem is I've noticed that the best way to keep the fun going is to make sure you've got some packages coming in the mail, lol. Unfortunately because I'm unemployed I've got to be really picky with my spending. So I can't buy quite as much as I'd like to.

Yea man you described alot of what i'm going through.. So far these things are keeping me busy with all the carts and flavors and charging and what not.. I've been vaping like a fiend.. overvaping is what caused my cart to burn up last night fyi..

Yea it def seems like starting the 'e-cig adventure' is a little more costly than i thought i would be b/c of all the different options you have for just about anything.. There should be a cheaper and easier way to try and buy flavors but i guess this works for now...

but thats a good call about not going outside for a cigarette.. Since I vape for often I can do it inside which probably makes me feel like I'm not getting that cigarette break feeling..

I just hope all this passes or atleast even out within the next week or so..

your responses are greatly appreciated..

 

[Kate51]

Depression is kind of a 'normal' thing in withdrawal from smoking, for lots of reasons.
Your body does go through a whole lot of adjusting, some to do with MAOI's/alkaloids from tobacco, some mental, some physiological.
Diet!! Plenty of fresh fruit and veggies, good excercise, breathing excercise, stay away from sugars and carbs as much as possible, also invest in a good physical wouldn't hurt. I started doing much better increasing big-time vitamin D3, Omega-3, also take niacin to help 'cleanse' toxins and open capillaries. (The 'flashing' kind, makes you itch and red for an hour, that's how you know it's working!) I lost my purplish-red "mask" on my face and neck using Niacin. Niacin is a mirror-molecule of Nicotine, does block neurons just like nicotine does. Seems to quiet cravings a bit and does help increase oxygenation (lung) capacity as well.
Drinking more WATER #1!!, and as much high-antioxident juice you can hold, really try to cleanse all the stuff out of you possible. Get some help if you're not sleeping right, I'm sleeping like a baby for the first time in years. Everything really does kind of screw up your sense of comfort for at least a couple months if you totally quit smoking immediately, I did that. I was so hungry all the time, had to really watch that. And nervous energy. Work it off, put it to good use!

 

[Danyulc]

I totally know what you mean! I go through 2-3 months of getting REALLY obsessed with something, and then drop it like a sack of potatoes. It's the weirdest thing. I hope it doesn't happen with e-cigs!

I think you'll probably have better luck not dropping Vaping like a sack of potatoes! I know that usually when my obsessions end it just happens all of a sudden. Usually I just don't get around to the obsession on a given day and then that little bit of time away causes it to fade and then BAM I'm on to the next thing.

There are rare occasions where I actually go through a period where I'm not really obsessed with anything, but, usually that is just because I can't find anything engrossing enough to be obsessed with, lol.

I don't actively seek out the obsessions, it's wierd. They just kind of happen. Like PV's for example. I was looking at this site that sold, uh, water pipes, and I saw an Ecig. I was like 'WTH is that?!?'. So I googled it and then the rest is history!

I'm pretty sure Ecig will forever be a part of my life, at least until I give up smoking/vaping altogether. Assuming that happens. It's quite possible my interest in ECF might wane a bit after a while. Eventually though some cool new product or accessory will come out and I'll get right back into it though.

I used to think there was something wrong with me (which there might be! lol). I'd spend all this time trying to adjust my behaviour. Eventually I found that I'm much happier just allowing my obsessions to run their course. I actually really enjoy each one, lol. When I go through periods where I'm not really interested in anything that seems to be when I feel kind of crappy. Now if only I had a cpl hundred bucks or so to really ramp up this PV obsession, lol. I've already spent approx $170 of money that I don't have, but I got some really good stuff! hehe.

I should try the Pay it Forward group, but, since I can't drive atm the mailing and stuff would be an issue. Also I've not really anything to give just yet. I'm hoping to get lucky and win a contest or something, that'll set me up nice, lol.

-Danyulc

 

[Dubs58]

Since Vaping I dont seem to want the alcohol as much, seems its been replaced with coffee, water, pepsi... just my ymmv

Best of luck

 

[Danyulc]

Yea man you described alot of what i'm going through.. So far these things are keeping me busy with all the carts and flavors and charging and what not.. I've been vaping like a fiend.. overvaping is what caused my cart to burn up last night fyi..

Yea it def seems like starting the 'e-cig adventure' is a little more costly than i thought i would be b/c of all the different options you have for just about anything.. There should be a cheaper and easier way to try and buy flavors but i guess this works for now...

but thats a good call about not going outside for a cigarette.. Since I vape for often I can do it inside which probably makes me feel like I'm not getting that cigarette break feeling..

I just hope all this passes or atleast even out within the next week or so..

your responses are greatly appreciated..

I feel pretty confident in stating that your troubles will pass before too long. Getting used to a new routine is always difficult. Especially when you've spent years doing the same smoking routine.

Also I'd reccomend you try a co-op to taste/try a lot of flavors. I joined a TV Co-Op which is currently full, but, it was $24 to get 20 different flavors, 5ml of each. No nic, but you can buy nic to add in for cheap. That one is currently full, but, there will be a new one next month most likely.

However, there is a Tasty Vapor Co-Op going on right now which is $48 to try 40 different 'flavor combinations' at 5ml each. These are also without nicotine. The idea for this is that each person entering pics a combination of their favorite TV flavors. So each bottle is like Vanilla/Cinnamon or whatever. You get the idea!

Anyways, I'll send you a PM with the co-op info. I don't want to cause too much trouble for the person running it, lol.

-Danyulc

Edit: Ok, gonna go do some non PV stuff so I'll quit monopolizing this thread, lol.