I got into ecigs to try and quit smoking. They've helped me cut back quite a bit but I just can't quite take the full plunge. I've gotten used to not having a real cig after eating, I'm getting used to not having a real cig in the car. For me that's two of the major habitual cigarette moments. The big problem is in the morning, I go nuts in the morning still if I don't have a real cigarette. The ecigs taste like garbage in the morning and I can smoke one for 2 hours straight and it doesn't touch my cravings. Think I should get some high nic liquid for mornings?
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I have a bottle of 36mg and a dedicated super-mini for first thing in the morning. I drop a couple of drips on the atomiser then plug on a 14mg cart and puff until I get the fix I need. After that I switch to my normal medium strength e-cig and leave the 36mg at home when I head off to work.
The last couple of days I've used a diluted 36mg (probably closer to 24mg after added VG) to the same effect without any problems.
The last couple of days I've used a diluted 36mg (probably closer to 24mg after added VG) to the same effect without any problems.
The 36mg really helps for me. I agree about the morning e-cig not tasting good as well. I drink black tea in the morning so I got some Pillbox 36mg Black Tea liquid. It works great. So try a morning flavor like Coffee or Tea and see if that helps. Good luck.
phildo- I can't quit either- can't even cut down down significantly- I was down to 6 real ciggs a day, but have since gone back up to about 15-17 simplty because I miss the whole smoking 'experioence' even htough it's bad for me. Eciggs just are not cuttign hte mustard for me I'm afraid. Ecigs are ok, but they just aren't quite enough to switch to for me. Perhaps if they had 40+ carcinogenic ingredients, and other poisons & such I'd be more apt to switch lol
I'll back up the previous comments, once I started using 36mg juice, leaving the real cigs alone was easy. Doesn't work for everyone of course, but give it a try.
I'm not sure if it's entirely down to liquid strength. Using Wicked 36mg (Virginia) in my 901 doesn't provide the hit that I get from using the same liquid in my KB Extended (with manual switch). The taste and vapour is similar with both devices but that all important hit only seems to happen with the KB.
The morning one is definitely more difficult because after a nights sleep, the levels of nic in your body will be much diminished so you are craving a hit big enough to restore the nic to make you feel 'normal'.
I reckon (like you have mentioned) some of the higher nic juices should solve this, but make sure you
don't over dose on the high stuff through the day or else the next morning you'll be needing an even bigger kick! In theory if you can manage on the slightly lower nic content in the day, the next morning should be breeze (of vapour!!)... I'd say if you could manage on say 16-18mg juice during the day, then perhaps a 24mg juice would do for that morning craving!
Saying all of this, you've got to want to quit smoking as well, and getting over some of the more 'habitual' moments with the e-cig shows your well on your way!
Magwitch - I'd entirely agree with all you've said. The only thing I'd add is that "hit" and "nic. strength" are not the same thing - just 2 things someone intending to give up real smokes should be aware of.
I OD'd on nicotine using my 901 with 36mg juice. I wasn't getting a hit and just kept puffing. I ended out climbing the walls for 8 hours and eventually fell asleep at 4am. My Other Half told me I cussed like a trooper after that!
Using the Janty I can get a hit on their lighter juice that's half the nicotine strength. I don't like the taste of the Janty juice as much as the Wicked - but I've only tried one flavour.
I find getting the hit makes it easier avoid OD'ing - if only through providing the psychological signal that you've just had "a smoke". For the same reason, the Janty has kept me off the real cigs.
Without that hit I'd have surely been down to the corner shop for a pack of analogues to accompany my morning coffee. Each morning I wake I feel like making that journey to the shop - it's less than 100 yards from my front door. I've not made that journey (yet) by telling myself I'll decide after the coffee is made and I've had a toke on my Janty.
I know I'm singing Janty's praises here - I've absolutely no connection with the company (and am still counting the money I've saved by not smoking against what the Janty cost - and am in deficit - for now. I stopped at 10:30pm 20/11/08 BST).
I'm sure getting a hit has been crucial in helping me stop - more important than nicotine level. Why the Janty provides it but the 901 doesn't I'm not sure. I expect it has something to do with the control a manual switch provides as well as other possibilities like atomiser heat distribution and battery power. I'm sure Janty aren't the only people who produce a e-cig that delivers a hit - for many the 901 already does. I was a heavy smoker and my hit demand is probably greater.
I OD'd on nicotine using my 901 with 36mg juice. I wasn't getting a hit and just kept puffing. I ended out climbing the walls for 8 hours and eventually fell asleep at 4am. My Other Half told me I cussed like a trooper after that!
Using the Janty I can get a hit on their lighter juice that's half the nicotine strength. I don't like the taste of the Janty juice as much as the Wicked - but I've only tried one flavour.
I find getting the hit makes it easier avoid OD'ing - if only through providing the psychological signal that you've just had "a smoke". For the same reason, the Janty has kept me off the real cigs.
Without that hit I'd have surely been down to the corner shop for a pack of analogues to accompany my morning coffee. Each morning I wake I feel like making that journey to the shop - it's less than 100 yards from my front door. I've not made that journey (yet) by telling myself I'll decide after the coffee is made and I've had a toke on my Janty.
I know I'm singing Janty's praises here - I've absolutely no connection with the company (and am still counting the money I've saved by not smoking against what the Janty cost - and am in deficit - for now. I stopped at 10:30pm 20/11/08 BST).
I'm sure getting a hit has been crucial in helping me stop - more important than nicotine level. Why the Janty provides it but the 901 doesn't I'm not sure. I expect it has something to do with the control a manual switch provides as well as other possibilities like atomiser heat distribution and battery power. I'm sure Janty aren't the only people who produce a e-cig that delivers a hit - for many the 901 already does. I was a heavy smoker and my hit demand is probably greater.
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I have a similar experience soot, its kind of strange. The janty seems to satisfy much more, even though the 901 has a more authentic feel to the vapor. It would seem to be the other way around..but who knows...with the physical addiction, and the mental habit that comes with smoking...strange things are bound to occur. In the end I'm going to pick up some 24 and 36 mg liquids...so I guess I'll see how much of a difference it makes.
Phildo, you live in Iowa so you should have no problem obtaining Stonewall tobacco bits. I love the Java flavor, personally. When I wake up each morning, the first thing I think is: I want a cigarette. Can't have one -- and haven't smoked one now for 15 months. So I reach for the Stonewall and pop a dissolvable tablet in my mouth. That's 4mg of nicotine that will be absorbed (none blown away as second-hand smoke) in about 30 minutes. Equal to four cigarettes. And that gets me going. I also reach for the e-cig, which is NOT like a cig really. I understand your problem.
It takes a combination to get me jump-started without returning to real cigarettes. I really understand your frustration, Naz. I'm the same way. I am not a totally happy e-camper and don't understand people who just sing praises of how wonderful and better it is than smoking. It's an alternative. An incomplete alternative for me.
Phildo, I do encourage you to try a combination of alternatives. Wear Big Pharma's patch overnight if you have to, then start your own morning ritual to prevent reaching for a real pack.
It takes a combination to get me jump-started without returning to real cigarettes. I really understand your frustration, Naz. I'm the same way. I am not a totally happy e-camper and don't understand people who just sing praises of how wonderful and better it is than smoking. It's an alternative. An incomplete alternative for me.
Phildo, I do encourage you to try a combination of alternatives. Wear Big Pharma's patch overnight if you have to, then start your own morning ritual to prevent reaching for a real pack.
You're quite right Phil - the smoking addiction is very complex but extremely successful. I guess we should be thankful that the world's greatest minds haven't figured it out. If they'd found the answer it'd be included in every marketing campaign and I'd be drinking Coke/Pepsi morning, noon and night.
God knows what it would mean for your Presidential election! It's crazy enough as it is
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All I'd advise is a little care in upping your juice's nic. level. If you're like me who inhaled deeply when smoking the absence of a hit can lead to OD'ing by nic. going through your bloodstream via your mouth. Without the hit you don't know how much nicotine has entered your system. I tried pipe smoking (real ones) and had the same outcome.
God knows what it would mean for your Presidential election! It's crazy enough as it is
.All I'd advise is a little care in upping your juice's nic. level. If you're like me who inhaled deeply when smoking the absence of a hit can lead to OD'ing by nic. going through your bloodstream via your mouth. Without the hit you don't know how much nicotine has entered your system. I tried pipe smoking (real ones) and had the same outcome.
Soot...od'ing on nicotine is a concern..I'll take your advise into consideration.
TB...I'm gonna have to look into the stonewall things..they sound interesting. Not sure if I can find them locally...tobacco/liquor stores around here carry a pretty vanilla variety of stuff...they looked at me funny when I first asked them about rolling my own cigs a few years ago..now they all carry the stuff lol. its possible some have it though..I'll give it a try.
TB...I'm gonna have to look into the stonewall things..they sound interesting. Not sure if I can find them locally...tobacco/liquor stores around here carry a pretty vanilla variety of stuff...they looked at me funny when I first asked them about rolling my own cigs a few years ago..now they all carry the stuff lol. its possible some have it though..I'll give it a try.
I think KentSP and I have found something important -- what's missing! Check out our two posts near the end of the Blood in Saliva thread: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/health-safety-e-smoking/3188-blood-saliva-2.html#post51152
Profoundly interesting, in my view. KentSP might have nailed it.
Profoundly interesting, in my view. KentSP might have nailed it.
TB,
I really like the analogy I found in one of your previous posts:
"It's like having sex with robot..."
It's sort of like that for me after 30 years on the real things. I'm 45 now and down to about 2-4 real cigs a day from about 30. Yesterday, in a 24 hour period I only had ONE.
Granted, I'm vaping puresmoker's 36 mg juice, but it's not like I'm stepping outside every 15 minutes to suck down 1 or 2 real ones. I have noticed that I take a few good hits, and then put the thing down for several minutes before picking it up again. The habit has kind of changed for me in that regard...Interesting and fascinating - at least to me.
I really like the analogy I found in one of your previous posts:
"It's like having sex with robot..."
It's sort of like that for me after 30 years on the real things. I'm 45 now and down to about 2-4 real cigs a day from about 30. Yesterday, in a 24 hour period I only had ONE.
Granted, I'm vaping puresmoker's 36 mg juice, but it's not like I'm stepping outside every 15 minutes to suck down 1 or 2 real ones. I have noticed that I take a few good hits, and then put the thing down for several minutes before picking it up again. The habit has kind of changed for me in that regard...Interesting and fascinating - at least to me.
very interesting, it makes sense. It says harmine is found in mostly plants...I wonder if there is any extraction method other than burning tobacco...one that would be practical and economical enough to implement so we can get a better fix...
Oh yeh, harmine can be bought. But it's pretty dangerous stuff and might lead to hallucinations if overdosed. The relevant question is: How much harmine is there in each puff from a real cig? Then that has to be duplicated and halved for each e-cig puff. I don't want to be a guinea pig on this, but chemists should have a field day.
This is true. It is incomplete. For me it's the best alternative available. I've been happily vaping to a point that I've cut down by a third on the real cigs. Last night I finally ran out of cigs. In my house, there's no such thing. I see 3-4 pks in my carton and go get three more cartons.
Last night, tho, I felt no stress of it. Woke up this AM, bummed a cig from my husband, got dressed and ran errands. Went to work. Still felt good. I vape at work, even in some meetings. Was feeling really proud.
Thoughts of cigs came to mind. I dismissed them. Did some old breathing techniques. Didn't help after a while. Then a distant voice of panick set it.
I KNOW I was getting nicotine....but I still started panicking about panicking. It's ridiculous! I knew it was in my head but didn't care. The whole chest tightening thing started up...and the inability to focus on anything but not smoking. This is the part that KILLS me. I KNOW IT'S IN MY HEAD!
I got a smoke from a buddy and practically ate it.
I bummed a few more during the day.
When I got home tonight, I bought a pack and in the last 4.5 hours have smoked 16 cigs.
I feel like I'm back at square one.
I need to remember that e-cigs ARE NOT the same as cigs. They're there to help.
I think I leapt to quickly. Maybe I got too excited.
I'll try again tomorrow...WITH a pack of cigs. Baby steps.
I think that what is happening is psychological. Don't get me wrong it still is a very powerful effect, but it is purely psychological.
I notice that I seem to feel a certain amount of "relief" from a cigarette as I'm taking the first puff after lighting it, and actually feel the relief before I've finished taking the drag. I think that over the time we've smoked normal cigarettes, we've associated the lighting and the first drag after lighting the cigarette with "incoming nicotine relief", because we know that when we light the cigarette we are almost always going to smoke all of it. Basically we know what's coming, so we feel relief despite the fact that the nicotine hasn't really arrived yet.
Electronic cigarettes deliver nicotine at a very similar rate and similar mechanism to regular cigarettes. However, when we first pick them up we don't light them, and I think the fact that you don't go through the "lighting ritual" on an e-cig means that your brain views smoking an e-cig as somehow "different", therefore doesn't give the instant relief that it associates with lighting a cigarette.
My advice is keep acoustic cigarettes around as long as you feel you need them, but just remember to use the e-cig when you can, and over time your brain will tie the same "incoming relief" feeling to the e-cig that it does to the old cigs.
I notice that I seem to feel a certain amount of "relief" from a cigarette as I'm taking the first puff after lighting it, and actually feel the relief before I've finished taking the drag. I think that over the time we've smoked normal cigarettes, we've associated the lighting and the first drag after lighting the cigarette with "incoming nicotine relief", because we know that when we light the cigarette we are almost always going to smoke all of it. Basically we know what's coming, so we feel relief despite the fact that the nicotine hasn't really arrived yet.
Electronic cigarettes deliver nicotine at a very similar rate and similar mechanism to regular cigarettes. However, when we first pick them up we don't light them, and I think the fact that you don't go through the "lighting ritual" on an e-cig means that your brain views smoking an e-cig as somehow "different", therefore doesn't give the instant relief that it associates with lighting a cigarette.
My advice is keep acoustic cigarettes around as long as you feel you need them, but just remember to use the e-cig when you can, and over time your brain will tie the same "incoming relief" feeling to the e-cig that it does to the old cigs.
It's definitely mostly in the mind; once you convince yourself that the e-cigs are not really inferior to normal cigs, you're nearly there. At least, that was the cause of my dependence on normal smokes when I was starting with my e-cig.
Even if you keep having the odd real smoke, you'll probably find yourself either smoking less and less, or doing what I did and smoke about half a cig before realising that it tastes foul and stubbing it out.
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