Quitting smoking and depression

[hittman]

I am 39 and up til a couple months ago smoked 1-1 1/2 packs a day for about 23-24 years. I have never been depressed before. I was doing great cutting back on smoking by vaping instead and actually didn't smoke for 8-9 weeks. I had started feeling pretty depressed over the last couple weeks and started doing some reading about depression being linked to quitting smoking. I don't know if I am screwing up or not but have started having a cigarette each day and that seems to help. I do want to quit completely but I don't want to be depressed either. I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this?

 

[Caesarea]

Hi, hittman It may be possible to use some smokeless alternatives to help mood and equilibrium. have a browse in the relevant subforum:

Smokeless tobacco - e-cigarette-forum.com • The place for electronic cigarette reviews, news and chat

Best,

C.

 

[IceCreMan]

Cigarettes are known to have MAOI's in them which is an anti-depressant drug added by some tobacco companies so you're probably feeling the side effects of coming off of them. MAOI's and other anti-depressants can actually cause depression as a withdrawal symptom.That should go away as your body cleanses itself. I would recommend talking to your doctor about it. He or she can help you through this without smoking. Hitting the analogs is the worst solution.

 

[Madame Psychosis]

I'm sorry to hear you're having a hard time, hittman. You're definitely not alone here, though.

Some people consciously self-medicate for depression with cigarettes (like I did). Then others who have smoked for a long time find themselves depressed when they stop. There are a number of psychoactive chemicals in regular cigs aside from nicotine, and switching to vaping can reveal an existing neurochemical depression. It can also cause a temporary one as your body adjusts. This is one of the reasons people are put on Wellbutrin (Zyban) for smoking cessation -- it's a rebranded antidepressant.

A friend in college was always either on Zoloft or a pack-a-day of Marlboro Reds. In other words, he was probably treating some kind of serotonin issue with the cigarettes.
I was only able to cut down on smoking when I went on an MAOI antidepressant (which hits a number of neurotransmitters). There are mild MAOIs in tobacco, so it makes some sense that I was making up for some part of the neurochemical antidepressant effect. It is still hard - anxiety, etc. are still problems with unbalanced nicotine and I've had about 1-2 cigs a week. But I'm not sliding into dark territory this time.

One of the things you can do right away is try some of the safer forms of smokeless tobacco like snus (look in Other Alternatives To Smoking forum), providing the alkaloids your brain isn't getting from straight nicotine alone. You can also talk to your doctor about antidepressant options, but that's a whole other post unto itself (one opening tip: try to get a referral to a psychiatrist. General practitioners know way less about psych meds and individual needs).

(If your depression has come with lethargy, weight gain, feeling cold all the time, etc. you might want to get a thyroid test. Quitting smoking can cause a rebound in TSH levels that reveals hypothyroidism. Another thread reminded me of this.)

Don't beat yourself up about a cigarette a day. You'll find other solutions.

 

[Madame Psychosis]

Cigarettes are known to have MAOI's in them which is an anti-depressant drug added by some tobacco companies so you're probably feeling the side effects of coming off of them.

The tobacco companies do not "add" the MAOIs. They occur in tobacco naturally as beta-carboline alkaloids, also present in passionflower and Syrian rue.

They are milder in action than the synthetic prescription MAOIs, which require special dietary restrictions and come with a long list of severe drug interactions.

But withdrawal is still quite possible and not fun. They have antidepressant action so there's the effect of removal as well as the "whiplash" of your body adjusting to their absence. Figuring out how much of the feeling is temporary is the hard part.

 

[Stubby]

Cigarettes are known to have MAOI's in them which is an anti-depressant drug added by some tobacco companies so you're probably feeling the side effects of coming off of them. MAOI's and other anti-depressants can actually cause depression as a withdrawal symptom.That should go away as your body cleanses itself. I would recommend talking to your doctor about it. He or she can help you through this without smoking. Hitting the analogs is the worst solution.

That is not correct. MAOI's are a natural part of all tobacco that is taken out in the processing of e-liquid from tobacco. They are not added by tobacco companies. There are a number of people on the forum who went through the same depression type reactions when quitting smoking. Smokeless tobacco, and snus is the most popular, solves the imbalances almost without fail. I've watched many people pass through the smokeless tobacco section of this forum who come in with all types of phycological problems associated with quitting smoking and all of them get noticeable better, and often dramatically better, within days of starting snus.

No doubt Twisted and OTD will show up to elaborate.

Edit: I see the Madame showed up as I typed. You sure type fast.

 

[IceCreMan]

I'm sorry to hear you're having a hard time, hittman. You're definitely not alone here, though.

Some people consciously self-medicate for depression with cigarettes (like I did). Then others who have smoked for a long time find themselves depressed when they stop. There are a number of psychoactive chemicals in regular cigs aside from nicotine, and switching to vaping can reveal an existing neurochemical depression. It can also cause a temporary one as your body adjusts. This is one of the reasons people are put on Wellbutrin (Zyban) for smoking cessation -- it's a rebranded antidepressant.

A friend in college was always either on Zoloft or a pack-a-day of Marlboro Reds. In other words, he was probably treating some kind of serotonin issue with the cigarettes.
I was only able to cut down on smoking when I went on an MAOI antidepressant (which hits a number of neurotransmitters). There are mild MAOIs in tobacco, so it makes some sense that I was making up for some part of the neurochemical antidepressant effect. It is still hard - anxiety, etc. are still problems with unbalanced nicotine and I've had about 1-2 cigs a week. But I'm not sliding into dark territory this time.

One of the things you can do right away is try some of the safer forms of smokeless tobacco like snus (look in Other Alternatives To Smoking forum), providing the alkaloids your brain isn't getting from straight nicotine alone. You can also talk to your doctor about antidepressant options, but that's a whole other post unto itself (one opening tip: try to get a referral to a psychiatrist. General practitioners know way less about psych meds and individual needs).

(If your depression has come with lethargy, weight gain, feeling cold all the time, etc. you might want to get a thyroid test. Quitting smoking can cause a rebound in TSH levels that reveals hypothyroidism. Another thread reminded me of this.)

Don't beat yourself up about a cigarette a day. You'll find other solutions.

You make some good points Madame. Sorry if I came off a little short about the smoking thing. I just hate to see anybody start smoking again although I do completely understand. I suffer from GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder) which always got worse when I'd try to quit smoking. This fortunately hasn't happened since I switched to PV's.

 

[IceCreMan]

That is not correct. MAOI's are a natural part of all tobacco that is taken out in the processing of e-liquid from tobacco. They are not added by tobacco companies. There are a number of people on the forum who went through the same depression type reactions when quitting smoking. Smokeless tobacco, and snus is the most popular, solves the imbalances almost without fail. I've watched many people pass through the smokeless tobacco section of this forum who come in with all types of phycological problems associated with quitting smoking and all of them get noticeable better, and often dramatically better, within days of starting snus.

No doubt Twisted and OTD will show up to elaborate.

Edit: I see the Madame showed up as I typed. You sure type fast.

You learn something new everyday. I always thought MAOI's were added. Had no idea they occured naturally in tobacco. Thanks for the correction.

 

[Madame Psychosis]

You make some good points Madame. Sorry if I came off a little short about the smoking thing. I just hate to see anybody start smoking again although I do completely understand. I suffer from GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder) which always got worse when I'd try to quit smoking. This fortunately hasn't happened since I switched to PV's.

Oh, I agree. Smoking for depression or anxiety is a nasty way to help yourself in the short term by sacrificing the long term. I do think each person has to do some searching to find the right mix of substitutes for cigarettes, whether that involves vaping, smokeless alternatives, medication, therapy, exercise, anything. Given that severe depression and panic can be physically and psychologically detrimental, the speed at which one can make the transition away from analogs can't always be pushed too hard. At least, I sure can understand the need to taper slowly while other solutions are found and turned into an alternative routine.

I do type fast...almost fast enough to make up for my lack of brevity

 

[hittman]

I thank you for all of the input. Madame I am already exercising regularly and have been for a long time. I really would rather avoid getting on a prescription medicine. I have not noticed any weight gain except the usual pound or two over the holidays.
Icecreman, I'm not too crazy about using analogs again and totally understand where you are coming from. I thought I had this thing beat after being smoke free for 8-9 weeks. I had experienced what I think was some type of withdrawal or detox and thought it was pretty much over. I am glad every day that I found this forum. There are always good people here to give good advice. I think I might check out the link posted above. I have never used snus but maybe it would be a good alternative to try. Thanks everyone.

 

[olderthandirt]

...
No doubt Twisted and OTD will show up to elaborate...

In my best Lurch imitation, Youuu Raanggg?

Hi hittman
Madame will remain much more knowledgeable and eloquent than I, Stubby has far more experience with snus then I but...

There is an epic of a thread here that covers at several points both controlled research and anecdotally based suppositions regarding the links twixt smoking and depression.

Madame really has the salient points covered in her post in this thread so take a look at the "are we getting.." thread at your leisure.

I was diagnosed clinically depressed some years ago. I've never found medication or counseling that worked so I'm still fighting the depression. When quitting the smokes with the e-cigs I was one of those that had all the withdrawal symptoms regardless how much I vaped.

For the sake of brevity, using a few snus portions a day has me to where I've no need for a smoke at all. As in, absolutely none of the withdrawal symptoms. I'm still depressed but with the smoking conquered that's one less mental scab to pick at!

Spend some time in the Smokeless Tobacco forum. Until such time as you might try snus or snuff and you still smoke a stinky stick once in a while... So What better than the 20 to 25 a day you were puffing, right?

 

[Stubby]

In my best Lurch imitation, Youuu Raanggg?

For the sake of brevity, using a few snus portions a day has me to where I've no need for a smoke at all. As in, absolutely none of the withdrawal symptoms. I'm still depressed but with the smoking conquered that's one less mental scab to pick at!

Spend some time in the Smokeless Tobacco forum. Until such time as you might try snus or snuff and you still smoke a stinky stick once in a while... So What better than the 20 to 25 a day you were puffing, right?

I must be getting physic as I knew you would show up. Now if you could just wipe up a bit of lunch and polish the shoes you can go home for the evening.

Back to the subject at hand. I still seem to have all the problems I had when I smoked, but at least I haven't added extras. I know I could have never quit smoking with just e-cigs. It wasn't until I started using snus that I was able to wave good-bye to 40 years of smoking. Perhaps I get a bit to enthusiastic about snus at times, but I see lots of people struggling with e-cigs that would likely do much better if they expanded there horizons and try some other alternatives.

 

[W Axl Rose]

You may also find yourself facing a case of 'the stupids'. After being tobacco free for a few weeks to a month. I got kind of foggy headed, easily distracted, and was forgetting things. I really panicked, but this too, passed.

 

[hittman]

You may also find yourself facing a case of 'the stupids'. After being tobacco free for a few weeks to a month. I got kind of foggy headed, easily distracted, and was forgetting things. I really panicked, but this too, passed.

I got that way too for a few days at a time and it happened at least twice that I can remember

 

[hittman]

Actually older it was actually about 30 a day before I found e-cigs. I am going to check out the suggestions. I think that I just kinda feel like I took a step backwards is all. I just have to try harder this time. I hope.

 

[Illuminate]

Im in the same boat Hittman.

I am constantly reminding myself that whatever short-term moodiness or anxiety I'm feeling are worth it for the greater struggle of ridding my body of tobacco dependency.

Remember, "This too shall pass."

 

[hittman]

Thanks for the words of encouragement Illuminate.

 

[martha1014]

I already took a mood stabilizer but I did notice a slight increase in my moods after I quit cigarettes for a few weeks. I think it was more pshchological than physical. I would occasionally smoke a cigarette just to calm my mind. I felt like I was giving up a loved one when I quit smoking and this caused me some mental anguish. After a couple of months I no longer have these moods changes. I guess my mind has adjusted to the death of my loved one.

 

[TropicalBob]

Hittman: You've been given good advice, and this is about the last bastion of sanity on this forum where posters rarely, rarely scream at each other. (An occasional happy bunny thumps through to spread the gospel of e-smoking being the end-all to every smoker's needs, but, for the most part, you read realists here. We sometimes shoot happy bunnies.)

I stumbled many times in leaving behind a 50-year, 30-a-day cigarette habit/addiction. Snus got me off. E-cigs help me stay off. I also use Stonewall dissolvables, nasal snuff and an infrequent pipe. Nicotine is not your enemy. The tobacco plant has some fine medicinal uses. So let's not damn it completely. It's inhaling smoke that you want to eliminate.

You might find yourself happier, more stable and alert and generally easier to live with if you combine many alternative products. That's the case for me. Whatever you decide, undertake it as an adventure. It's great fun to discover a new, good snus. Stonewall was manna from Heaven. Nasal snuff is dessert. Try stuff. Enjoy stuff. Good luck.

 

[hittman]

TB, thank you for the advice. The only snus that I have seen before is the camel kind that they have at gas stations and convenience stores. I tried to read some of th posts today talking about snus and other alternatives. I am thinking that I should try the snus but don't know what kind or strength to look for. Any advice is welcomed.