Question about analogs

[dice57]

Hey Steve, Welcome and congrats!!

When I started vaping it was with a cig-a-like device, and I always had the "something missing" feeling, so when I noticed an ego style setup, I bought one and a pt, twas better but still something was missing, then I found this forum and learned what was available and bought a regulated mod, something was still missing, so bought my first re-buildable atomizer, rba, and found what I was missing. It was the volume and density of vape that the Russian provided that, took away that something missing feeling.

As my builds improved and me collection expanded, have gone from something missing to something more. Vape provides me more satisfaction and joy than any burning bush could possibly provide.

The better the gear, the better the vape. It's not all about the right juice, although finding the right juice ratios and nic level is a major contributor and one of the most frustrating thing is to find ones preferred blend. I was vaping 24 mg nic juice when I first started, now that I use rba's, regulated and mechanical mods, have had to dial it down to 12 mg nic.

 

[AndriaD]

And yes, the smoke of tobacco cigarettes contains a LOT of stuff in addition to the nicotine. A lot of stuff that - in combination with the nicotine - makes for a powerful addiction. Including MAO Inhibitors, which are normally used as anti-depressants.
When we vape, all we get is the nicotine, not all that other stuff. So yes, there is a withdrawal for that other stuff. It usually starts at approx 3 weeks after the transition - when all that other stuff has left your body - so, OP, you are right in this period of time.

I'm grinning... that 3wk point was kinda rough; I struggle with depression already, even without any additional reasons. But it doesn't last long, maybe a week, and then you're back to being so happy you quit.

And it's true that fighting yourself over the urge, while you're still transitioning, is probably a really bad idea. It was about a month after I started vaping regularly, before I reached the point that I knew I didn't need them anymore -- my experience was very similar to Eric Drakken's, that last one tasted so awful, but I made myself smoke the entire thing right to the filter, in sub-freezing weather, so I wouldn't forget how awful it was. The next morning, I did feel the usual morning urge to go out and smoke, but I vaped like a mad thing, and got past it. It hasn't ever been that bad since.

But I'm not sure that a lot of the "cravings" are actually for nicotine... I'm thinking a huge part of it is just the mental habit, and those are a lot harder to break than any physical addiction -- which is why patches and pills don't work!

Andria

 

[okchef]

Another thing to try is just vaping like a madman the first few days. That way you could use the same mg nicotine, just more of it. My cig cravings were really bad the first 2-3 days I quit. Once, I just chain vaped for 10-15 minutes until the urge to smoke was gone.

I also found that getting far away from the tobacco flavors helped speed up the transition for me.

Good luck, and you can do it.

 

[kastman]

Honestly I was trolling and wasnt going to comment seeing how you are already getting some great advice, but your situation sounds similar to mine. First off I do have to agree with Dice57...find a setup that works for what your body is craving. I went through ego kits, clearos, cartos, bottom vs top coil etc. Myriad different juices at different nic strengths. I even changes how I would inhale regularly. For me I found that the nic strength had very little to do with what my body and mind wanted. What worked for me ended up being a mechanical mod with a dripping attomizer (RDA) and a low ohm coil...my body needed the clouds. You know that full feeling in your chest when you take a drag off an analog? That coupled with a moderate throat hit and seeing the cloud on the exhale was what i needed. As of right now I have been truly analog and even drag free for over a year. I tried a drag of one after I first started using my mech and literally started dry heaving. So I guess what im trying to say is...figure out your personal addiction and try gear/juice that emulates the feeling.

 

[AndriaD]

Another thing to try is just vaping like a madman the first few days. That way you could use the same mg nicotine, just more of it. My cig cravings were really bad the first 2-3 days I quit. Once, I just chain vaped for 10-15 minutes until the urge to smoke was gone.

I also found that getting far away from the tobacco flavors helped speed up the transition for me.

Yeah that vaping like a fog machine helped me, and still helps if I get the odd craving now and then.

But I don't get that about getting away from tobacco flavors; seen a lot of others say that too, but for me, I had to find something similar to the flavor I was used to (though it's actually a LOT better!) before I could even consider totally quitting. The flavor being similar, but so much better, is why those cigarettes started tasting so foul to me. Honestly I still can't imagine not using this Virginia flavor, at least most of the time; I'm starting to try a few of the sweet flavors but most just don't do it for me -- very little throat hit with most of the sweets, I've found so far, and if there's no throat hit, I'm just not satisfied.

Andria

 

[patkin]

What worked for me:

1. Eroll for the cigalike feel in a high nic tobacco taste.. good and smokey... or vaped unflavored which tastes close to a light smoke in an Eroll. Reserved for only those times when I would normally smoke. Other setups used most of the time other than when out and about which I used the Eroll for.
2. Stay away from food flavors except for occasional use. Why? Because I always want to smoke after eating.
3. Whenever I wanted to smoke, I had to vape first for x-amount of time. Written in stone rule. (#1 usually used)
4. If I still wanted to smoke after complying with the vaping rule (#3) and using the Eroll, then I did. Telling myself I could never smoke again just set up a mental obsession guaranteed to make me smoke.

I actually credit my Eroll with breaking the last 2 or 3 a day habit. It programmed my brain to accept it as a smoke. I now use it instead of those morning w/coffee, sitting outside, talking on the phone, driving, etc. This old brain thinks I'm smoking then.

 

[AndriaD]

What worked for me:

1. Eroll for the cigalike feel in a high nic tobacco taste. Reserved for only those times when I would normally smoke. Other setups used most of the time other than when out and about which I used the Eroll for.
2. Stay away from food flavors except for occasional use. Why? Because I always want to smoke after eating.
3. Whenever I wanted to smoke, I had to vape first for x-amount of time. Written in stone rule. (#1 usually)
4. If I still wanted to smoke after complying with the vaping rule and using the Eroll, then I did. Telling myself I could never smoke again just set up a mental obsession guaranteed to make me smoke.

That's an excellent plan! And that #4 is why I still have that last pk with 12 in it; it's my "no need to panic" stash. I knew if I got rid of every available cigarette, I'd just plain freak out. Having them here gave me an option, which I never felt the need to exercise -- but if they hadn't been here, I'd have sat around thinking about how I could persuade the ol man to buy me another pack...

And +1 on the eRoll; I haven't used it for vaping since I got the iTaste, but I've fondled it a few times... When my HANDS wanted a cigarette!

Andria

 

[jdm1982]

25 to 30 analogs a day 8 days ago with no quitting in sight. export a golds was my brand.bought 24 mg export A e-juice and vape it on a joyetech ego c- twist with protank 2 mini at 4 volts with a 2.2 kanger coil.


i have yet to crave a smoke yet.

 

[Panorama911]

Just somethings not already covered here. Smoking is in part a physical addiction but also a psychological one as well. First and foremost a person has to have the desire to quit and having other issues such as stress, depression or just a lack of anything to keep you busy can make a smoker light up. I found that when I desired to light up I focused on keeping my sorry behind BUSY!! Easier said than done I agree but it is a very effective way to reduce the need to light up. So the next time you feel the urge, grab your girl/guy and go do something together...the activity is OFC your choice...For stress the only thing to do is resolve the issue, refrain from dwelling on the problem and try to find a way to solve what is causing the stress, if any, but I mention this for those reading just in the case stress may be a reason, and stress is the number one enemy when it comes to smoking.

As for the nicotine level, go as high as you can handle but try to use 80 to 100% VG to help reduce the harsh TH. This way you can get the needed nicotine and save your throat at the same time....Best of luck!

Dal

 

[RichM76]

Switch to a Tobacco flavor for a while and every time you have a craving grab your PV and take a couple of vapes.

 

[Mikeo]

Hi Steve, looks like you are receiving some good advice, these guys know a lot more about it than me, but I just wanted to tell you that I had the same cravings and they lasted for about 3 months (see what you have to look forward to).lol I think finding a flavor you really like helps, so you are off to a good start on that account.

Just wanted you to know you aren't the only one that goes through this...73 Mike