Sudden, Unexpected, Precipitous Drop in Nic tolerance...?!?

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chapeltown

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So, A little about me.

I started vaping in middle of August 2013. I started with 18mg in the usual cig-a-like cartomizer manner. Couple of weeks later, realized 18mg just wasn't cutting it, I bumped up to 24. Took several months (nearly a year) to feel like I was done with cigarettes, even those "one every three weeks" stress smokes. Throughout my first year, I used 24mg nic as my mainstay, but while house hunting this summer, I even had to keep a 30mg tank handy for really bad days/moments. So, you could say that my final actual cigarette was probably mid-september. Finally off the stinkies once and for all.

When we got moved, (mid October, by the time it was really all said and done) I started to ween myself down to 18mg. I didn't have a problem with 24, been pretty happy there for a year, and did not see any real reason to step down. But a lot of vendors don't offer 24 these days, and I knew my diy supply would last longer if I stepped down a bit.

Now the really insane part:

In the last 5-6 weeks, I have seen my nic level drop from 24, to 18, to now 12 (dripping at 6). I honestly cannot handle a 5 minute vape session at 18. Makes me ill. Today I noticed that 12 in a tank is starting to feel a bit "strong" for my system. What on earth????!!!?!?!

Have any of you experienced this? At this rate, I'll be at 0 by new years! What the heck?!?! I am honestly a bit annoyed, at least partially due to the fact that I have a boatload of juice I can't vape now. And now, my diy supply is ......massive. It wasn't a massive supply to me two months ago, but now it seems massive.

Where will it end?

I was really expecting more of a .........one year at 24mg, then year two at 18, year three at 12 and so on.

Any imput would be greatly appreciated. :vapor:
 

mattiem

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The same thing happened to me. I understood that it was my body telling me it was time to cut down. I started at 24 but was only there for a couple of months. Dropped to 18 and stayed there for about a year. Body/tastebuds/throat told me it was time for another drop so went down to 15. I have now gone down to 10. Lowering my nic strength wasn't in my plans but my body had a different plan.

This definitely puts the lie in those that say the higher you go, the more you have to have. Some things/drugs, maybe so but not nicotine.

As always, YMMV
 

Stosh

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The other important part missing from your story is how has your equipment changed over the past year. A topper that is more efficient in producing more vapor, thicker vapor is going to use more eliquid and deliver more nicotine.

Also vaping using a higher wattage, will increase the efficiency of nicotine delivery. Dropping the nicotine level in your eliquid is normal if you are using more eliquid from efficiency or just vaping more often than you smoked...:)
 

Robino1

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Hey Chapel!!

It is possible that now that things have settled down in your life, the stress is eased up. Since the stress is eased, your body doesn't 'need' the nic like it used to.

To salvage those extra bottles of high nic, just get the same flavor at a lower nic, mix them and divide by two.
Example: 2 - 30 ml bottles

12 + 6 = 18 divide by 2 = 9mg.

You would end up with 2 - 30ml bottles of 9mg

So you actually would be ready for any Apocalypse that might happen ;)
 

FlamingoTutu

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Similar experience here. Had to go to 24mg to get off cigarettes completely. About a month later I nearly passed out standing up and dropped to 16/18mg. After a while that was too strong and dropped to 12mg. Then dropped to 6mg. At that point decided to work my way down to 0mg at 1mg increments. I vaped more for a day or two with each drop and then everything was fine. Was at 0mg for a couple of months and decided to try a little nic out of curiosity. Holy cow did I feel better! I was slightly depressed, BP skyrocketed and had been a bit irritable. Hadn't realized it was the nicotine causing the problems. So, Use 3/4 1/2mg during the day and 1 1/2-0mg at night. Works for me so not going to mess with it. :D

ETA In regards to Stosh's statement, I didn't change my gear at all since dropping to the 16/18mg. It was just a natural progression for me, myself and I.
 
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crxess

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Op, I understand where you are coming from.

The key is the equipment you are using. Better Delivery = More Nic intake. So, 6mg in an RDA can easily mimic 12mg in a Kayfun or 24 in a Cig-a-like.
I am now vaping 1mg and 3mg in my RDA's and enjoying the Flavors more. I also tend to Vape more at this level but with no ill effect.
I have moved almost all my mixes to 3mg. to reduce cost and minimize intake. RBA Tanks help, though Work/Stress times get a bit rough.

I have found even 12mg in a clearo is way to high now. A couple of draws and my ears start ringing. Often a first sign of Nic overdosing.

Be happy you are reducing your Nic. It can only be a good thing. :)
 

Gowanus

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I've only been vaping for a couple of months now and I'm already feeling this. I started out at 6mg, and didn't think it was enough, so I bumped up to 12mg, and after ordering a bunch of 12mg bottles, I'm now finding it is sometimes too much. Getting way more headrushes and raciness. I've started cutting my juices with 0mg juices. Hopefully I can get down to 0mg by february or march.

Isn't that the goal for most of us, to not be chemically addicted to something? I'm fine with vaping, but would rather it was for the fun of it than because my body needed the nicotine.

I say congrats to the OP for figuring it out and stepping it down.
 

chapeltown

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Thank you all for the input. To answer a few of your queries. ..


Equipment- no real change. Did switch from volts to watts about three or four months ago, but that was more for flexibility than power. I usually keep things set between 7.5 and 9 watts.

Difference in delivery-
I have always known that a dripper dual coil build at .60 ohms is gonna be a massive quick hit which is why I drip at around half my tank strength.

Toppers- I most consistently use protanks (single coil) and have a dct tank. Had them for many months.

It is a good thing overall, but I don't want to lose my ability to vape nic all together!!!
 

chapeltown

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Robin-- (!) :wub:
Yes, I have become fairly well versed in mixing nic strengths to suit my purposes, (have the eliquid calculator on my phone), I just don't want to have to buy more juice!

The simple juices (just chocolate or just banana) I have been using as a base for new recipes, but that is hard to do with the more complex juices. ;-)
 
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DC2

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Shadav

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well chapel dear ya know me :) I was vaping 36 nic or higher a year ago and am now pretty much solidly at 6mg....but some of that has been due to better equipment and then using drippers mostly

i forced myself to 24 then decided to cut back to 18...and from there it just kind of happened (though a lot of mine was also just sampling different vendors most were under 12)

I don't think it's any issue...as robin said too, now that your life is calming down and stress levels decressing it is only natural to not need as much nic

and as for needing to buy more juice....you could look at the juice swap threads to switch some that you have higher nics for some lower nics
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...-please-read-first-post-rules-guidelines.html

and hey even if you do end up mostly using 0 nics you don't have to give up vaping ;) it's still a fun habit and stress reliever even if ya don't need the nic anymore (which is a good thing btw)
 

Gowanus

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DC2

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Health reasons?
I like to use nicotine because it improves memory, concentration, and attention.
And I am not really much of a caffeine user.

But I intend to continue using nicotine, in moderation, because I believe it may help prevent Alzheimers and Parkinsons.
If it was ever shown that was not the case, I don't know that I would continue using it.
 
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