Still on the Am I getting enough nicotene?

[Sagg]

I just tried a sample bottle of 24mg nic. I have always used 16mg since I started vaping 3 mos ago. I still smoke five or six reg smokes a day and I notice when I crave a cigarette it is usually because I have not vaped for a long time. Just do not seem to get enough, especially 10 min smoke breaks at work. Does it make sence to use a higher level during those occasions?

By the way is my pic showing up here?

 

[robertr]

I usually vape 12mg but I have 16mg and 24mg juice for those occasions that I need more nicotine. No picture.

 

[cactusgirl]

Definitely up your nic level for work days when you need to vape on a 'schedule' as opposed to taking a hit when you need it.

Your pic is not showing up here....you need to edit and add your pic to your 'avatar' in order for it to show up in your posts.

 

[rachelcoffe]

Hi Sagg! We sent you a PM, hon. Hope it helps!

 

[kingcobra]

I use 28mg, I smoke as well although a lot less, there's more to smoking than just the nic though. I have found that vaping more does allow you to go longer. There are times when I really need a smoke and some extra vaping takes care of it. However there are times when only a smoke will do it. So if you really are looking to quit that's the stuff you need to tough out. I'm not concerned with quitting though but I've gone from chain smoking to one every couple of hours and feel much better as well as saving a bunch of money

 

[Kams Cats]

I use 28mg, I smoke as well although a lot less, there's more to smoking than just the nic though. I have found that vaping more does allow you to go longer. There are times when I really need a smoke and some extra vaping takes care of it. However there are times when only a smoke will do it. So if you really are looking to quit that's the stuff you need to tough out. I'm not concerned with quitting though but I've gone from chain smoking to one every couple of hours and feel much better as well as saving a bunch of money

You are so right about that. I did quit smoking entirely but still had my withdrawal times. Although the withdrawal was nothing compared to how it was in past attempts. Even this weekend I had moments where I thought to myself, "I want a ciggie" Now I know it wasn't the nic I was craving.

 

[Pipeous]

last night sitting here I did the fumble pockets thing looking for my cigs. almost 3 motnhs without a smoke and those dam things still play with my head, even if not as often now.

 

[kingcobra]

I tried a few different ways to quit over the years but one of the things that gets you the most is the craving to suck some smoke into your lungs. People that say you have an oral fixation or need to do something with your hands, well that plays a small part I guess, a very small part compared to physical addiction. You do want to make sure you take nicotine out of the equation though although at the same time you don't want to overdo it.

Some people just get their first kit in the mail and put the cigarettes away for good, others take a while, a few continue to do both. I have found that there's an ideal amount of cigarettes that well supplies the non nicotine elements although for me at least it was quite a bit less than I smoked normally. I've tried cutting down to this level before but couldn't do it comfortably, and vaping now allows me to do this which I'm pretty excited about. There's also an extra buzz you get from vaping, maybe from the PG I dunno, so now I've got the right amount of cigarettes there, feel healthier, and a little more of a nice tweak from the vapor as well. So maybe I'll quit smoking some day but I'm already way ahead of things now regardless.

I'm also playing around with some natural MAOIs as I've done in the past trying to cut down, they are a class of antidepressants that tobacco supplies and one of the real roadblocks to quitting. If you've ever tried to quit and then started feeling too blah this is the reason. So I'm taking ginseng, ginkgo biloba, and st john's wort to see what that does and it does seem to help. It's all stuff that's good for you anyway so wouldn't hurt for sure if you wanted to throw that in and see if your cravings for cigarettes get more under control.

Good luck!

 

[Kams Cats]

Just curious which type of ginseng do you take King Cobra? I take Siberian Ginseng and Ginkgo B for a thyroid condition and I wonder if that has helped me over the long run.

I know how tight that smoking addiction is and I really believe it's different for everyone. That's why what works for some people just doesn't work for others. For me I was lucky enough to get enough satisfaction from a PV to more or less toss those cigs into the trash. My brother is like you and while he loves his PV he can't quite let the smoking go. Still he is down to an amount that is better for him overall.

 

[Pipeous]

it was tough for me for sure. the first 2 days I got off the analogs was hell. I airbrushed an electric scooter in my garage and kept my hands busy. I bet I vaped about 6 or 7ml a day those 2 days. it's certainly a mental addiction. I know the craving for cigs is gone from my body but those times I am sitting here in the shop on the puter, right after dinner, is when I find myself searching pockets for a cig pack that doesn't exist. it's not that I need a cig, but my addiction reflex kicking in telling me it's trigger time. you always smoked at this point in the day so get to it. that I think is the hardest part of the addiction to give up.

now I can pound the beers into me and I am happy vaping. it's those subconscious times that get me, and the little bit of panic sets in when you can't find the pack, before you actually realize "I don't need a smoke" because it's just the mind playing tricks. I think that's something we all go through and the part we have to break. those that vape and smoke just haven't made that next level of committment yet. that is a personal thing that we all have to decide when it's right for us. just remember, it's mental. you won't ever lose that ball and chain until you just do it. and then you have to fight it off a few times whether it's 1 day or 1 year later

 

[Concat]

I only smoked about 10 cigs a day, and I found the switch incredibly easy. Quitting has always been very hard though. Perhaps I just lack the mental fortitude to fight the cravings. One thing that vaping has taught me is that it’s the smoke hitting my lungs, and the throat hit that I enjoy the most out of smoking. It’s not holding the cigarette in my hand, the taste or the social aspect… it’s that punch to your lungs after a big meal, or with a cup of hot coffee.

I vape 18 mg, and am reducing it to 9 mg so I don’t feel so guilty about vaping nonstop when at home playing online poker or watching TV. Some people say you vape more when you first start, but I’m finding the opposite to be true… I’m vaping more than I did when I first started. I just want to avoid becoming more addicted.

 

[Sagg]

Its good to hear everyone has these same experiences. From what I read on the forum it seems like 80% of the people that start vaping just quit the first day without any effort. Perhaps it is because us vapers/smokers do not want to admit we still like smoking

I have been cutting back gradually and now that I am down to 6 superslim cigs a day I am starting to dread going down to 5. Its those "trigger" points that always amaze me how strong they are and sometimes 3 minutes later I have completely forgotten about wanting that smoke. Other times from that moment on I am constantly thinking what time I can have that cig. Are there some techniques you folks use when you get those cravings that just won't go away?

I so agree with the importance of the throat hit. I changed brands six months ago to Bensen & Hedges Superslims. I don't know if anyone has seen these but a pack is exactly half the size of a regular pack but still 20 cigs in it. That cig has great throat hit and remarkably lasts just as long as a cig with 2x the tobbaco. I cut back 50% overnight without even noticing any difference at all!

Addiction is a real interesting thing, thank God I managed to stay off the "hard stuff" lol If anyone knows a local supplier that has good nic coffee juice please PM. I am seriously addicted to coffee vape now!

 

[Danesnpits]

I just tried a sample bottle of 24mg nic. I have always used 16mg since I started vaping 3 mos ago. I still smoke five or six reg smokes a day and I notice when I crave a cigarette it is usually because I have not vaped for a long time. Just do not seem to get enough, especially 10 min smoke breaks at work. Does it make sence to use a higher level during those occasions?

By the way is my pic showing up here?

When I started vaping I was at 18, then 24 now I am onto 36mg. Yes I upped my nicotine. 36mg is my level I will be sticking to.

 

[sparky604]

When I started vaping I was at 18, then 24 now I am onto 36mg. Yes I upped my nicotine. 36mg is my level I will be sticking to.

36mg!! Never tried vaping that direct, how is it treating you? Highest I've been is 28 after I fell off the wagon a while ago. What benefits have you noticed by going up to 36?

 

[Danesnpits]

36mg!! Never tried vaping that direct, how is it treating you? Highest I've been is 28 after I fell off the wagon a while ago. What benefits have you noticed by going up to 36?

Well I have manic depression..(bipolar type 1) and a mood and anxiety disorder. Suffered since I was 12 years old with it, and I am now in my 30's. I have stopped all mood meds, sleeping pills, antihypnotics and antidepressants since 2007 but was having issues still being off my meds. Meds and I don't get along, they are not my friend, but someone on the group was talking to me privately, and gave me a suggestion, so I slowly went up. It is really amazing now, how well it is reacting with my brain. Being that I have an addictive personality to begin with, hence why I am an ex smoker and a full blown vaper, the extra nic takes away the the symptoms of my mania's and lows, and makes me feel extremely manageable now. I havn't felt so stable in years. I sleep so good now too. Out like a light, up with the birds. I also find too, that my thoughts are slowing down too. It is nice to not worry about having racing thoughts like I used to. That can get overwhelming at times. I by no means am endorsing what I am doing, I am just sharing my experience with you all. Please take caution anyone who may have a similar issue, that wants to try it. You want to make sure you know what you are doing and don't jump up to 36mg in a day. You need to do what's right for you. I love my 36mg!

 

[sparky604]

Well I have manic depression..(bipolar type 1) and a mood and anxiety disorder. Suffered since I was 12 years old with it, and I am now in my 30's. I have stopped all mood meds, sleeping pills, antihypnotics and antidepressants since 2007 but was having issues still being off my meds. Meds and I don't get along, they are not my friend, but someone on the group was talking to me privately, and gave me a suggestion, so I slowly went up. It is really amazing now, how well it is reacting with my brain. Being that I have an addictive personality to begin with, hence why I am an ex smoker and a full blown vaper, the extra nic takes away the the symptoms of my mania's and lows, and makes me feel extremely manageable now. I havn't felt so stable in years. I sleep so good now too. Out like a light, up with the birds. I also find too, that my thoughts are slowing down too. It is nice to not worry about having racing thoughts like I used to. That can get overwhelming at times. I by no means am endorsing what I am doing, I am just sharing my experience with you all. Please take caution anyone who may have a similar issue, that wants to try it. You want to make sure you know what you are doing and don't jump up to 36mg in a day. You need to do what's right for you. I love my 36mg!

Interesting ... do you find it helps you feel like "I finally got enough"? Sometimes lately I've not been able to find the "I've had enough" sweet spot and end up chain-vaping that day, going out looking for the "enough".

 

[Danesnpits]

Interesting ... do you find it helps you feel like "I finally got enough"? Sometimes lately I've not been able to find the "I've had enough" sweet spot and end up chain-vaping that day, going out looking for the "enough".

I totally get that feeling, and sometimes I still crave cigarettes. It truly is mind over matter! Even at 36mg I am getting analog cravings. I think it has to do though with getting busy and forgetting to vape for a few hours. I do that often. Cuz I am busy renovating my house. And at night when I am done painting for like 8 hours straight, I will sit there for over an hour vaping my brains out. But I always go to bed feeling satisfied, when I wake up though in the morning, before I do anything, I have to vape for 10 minutes to get going for the day.

 

[Pipeous]

I was sent a sample of 33mg tobacco. that is my early morning vape now. I wake up, 3 drops on the atty and start my day with coffee. that fills the noid fast. can't vape much though or I get nauseus. now back to 18mg for the day

 

[Pipeous]

hey sparky. I am thinking it's time for a ride on the bike. wanna meet up for coffee today?

 

[kingcobra]

Just curious which type of ginseng do you take King Cobra? I take Siberian Ginseng and Ginkgo B for a thyroid condition and I wonder if that has helped me over the long run.

I know how tight that smoking addiction is and I really believe it's different for everyone. That's why what works for some people just doesn't work for others. For me I was lucky enough to get enough satisfaction from a PV to more or less toss those cigs into the trash. My brother is like you and while he loves his PV he can't quite let the smoking go. Still he is down to an amount that is better for him overall.

These supplements may be helping you a bit, this isn't something that has been studied and it's all speculation really but we do know pretty clearly that tobacco is a B Class MAO inhibitor of some note. So given that depression is a real and particularly bothersome symptom of quitting smoking, then it's not difficult to make the connection. Anything that you can do to make up for this may help, and the first place to look is to supplements which function similarly to what tobacco does in respect to its antidepressant properties.

I actually think that these properties are one of the real reasons that people end up being hooked on tobacco, it's one of several of course, and the primary one is still the nic. So we have that covered with vaping, and not only that, but the craving for cigarettes seeems at least for me to be my lungs craving it, so that's taken care of as well. So if we can help ourselves with supplements that have several other positive health benefits as well, then why not. I'd also recommend St Johns Wort which is also a SSRI and in fact is used to help people get off the hard core drugs you get from doctors, and has been shown to be pretty effective at modest dosages like those recommended on the bottle.

I do need to let you know that this is my own idea and I haven't read about anyone else trying this, but it's a harmless and even beneficial addition to your smoking cessation regimen.