The moon and vaping

[Switched]

Well I had quite the episode.

As stated in another thread, I just came off a favourite Rolling Stones tune. It was a rough ride.

Mum used to say as many other folks as well. What's the matter did you get up on the wrong side of the bed? Well the answer is yes.

Have you ever gotten out of bed and feel like you want to just strangle someone or break something? I'm not talking about after having an altercation with someone or whatever, I am talking right out of bed? BTW I am not the only one out there, there are many like me. I have no scientific evidence of this but, I have anecdotal evidence.

We know that the moon affects the tides and animal behaviour. It plays a larger role than some folks think. Just ask any cop wrt the full moon. I am sure everyone has heard of that one. Anyway, I am not into horoscopes or whatever but do lend credence to astrology. Hey them hippies of the 60s had it right "What's you sign?"

Water signs are affected by the moon patterns. I am a Cancer and I definitely now this. I stumbled across this by pure accident. I was always a moody person, but never really understood why. This as previously mentioned was straight out of bed. I was once again single from a former relationship in 2003. During this time frame I started to jot down when these episodes would happen, trying to better understand my mood swings. (BTW mood swings had nothing to do with being single again. I'm the one who ended that relationship.) But being single allowed me to reflect without any outside interference so to speak. In other words I did not have a spouse or children to get on my nerves.

So this went on a for a period of 6-8 months. I wasn't paying attention to anything (moon calendar). I was merely collecting data. Well low and behold sure enough my episodes would follow the new and full moon pattern. The new moon giving me my greatest anxieties or whatever (the new moon was discovered only much later). So after having found this little marvel, I started to check the calendar and yup, there it was. This is also when the effects of the new moon which are much stroger on me were discovered. The really bad moon as I call it, is the first new moon of the quarter, and guess what last Wednesday was.

I pretty much ignore the calendar so I don't affect my rationale. But will check it out after a bout, and 98% of the time, I just went through a moon phase. BTW I only checked the calendar yesterday wrt my latest bout.

As I said elsewhere, as of Saturday, nothing I vaped to include but not limited to tobacco flavours, an increase in mg (although that gave me a good headache) to my beloved RY5, would sooth me. But I fought the demons and Switched won. This is my first battle as a smoke free individual with the new moon of the quarter. My next gladiator match with the sucker will be sometime in July. This time I will be better prepared for him.

I thought I would share this with folks who perhaps know what I am talking about. I know it not only affects Cancerians but all water signs. This became apparent through discussion with other water signs over the years.

Here's one for you. My wife is an Aries. Our two signs are diametrically opposed, and shouldn't get along. Why do we? Well there is an explanation for that as well, but that's for another day. During our courtship she probably thought I was the biggest BSer out there, when I discovered her X was a Cancerian too. Her X and I, are total opposites from each other, "and yeah coming to think of it (wifey) he had those mood swings too". All this transpired through some deep discussion at the beginning of our relationship as she asked how I could know so much about her, without knowing her. Her likes dislikes, favourite colour, etc... I told her she was my lab experiment (no she was not upset over the statement, on the contrary she was quite amuzed). I did my research and all this stuff was indeed found in astrology, to include but not limited to why an Aries and Cancer can get along. BTW the combination is a rarety, but when they do gel, an unbreakable bond. Read up on it!

In closing I am reminded of another tune, this one by CCR "Bad Moon Arising". I would like to hear from "water members" if they have had similar experiences, and if so, now you have your answer.

Today is a good day

 

[bornagainst]

As a Cancer, I can agree with so much of what you are saying.

Never thought too much about it, but this is truly an interesting read.

 

[Switched]

Not being conceited, isn't it though? All those years before I found the answer. I am sure more will chime in.

Come on BA don't be bashful you can elaborate

 

[bornagainst]

Not sure what to say, except the fact that it's been proven time and time again if you really look at it that sometimes massive amounts of people are impacted by changes in mood.

Some call it "mercury retrograde", some call it other things.

All I know is that I find myself in a group of people suffering from similar mood swings at similar times.

This peeves me, since I am a science guy. I study human anatomy, physiology, pathology, cellular science. I don't like airy, fluffy things...but some things you just can't explain.

 

[Switched]

Jesus jumping Jimminy Criket, I thought my plight was bad. Yuz on the other hand must really scratch your head. No wonder you have no hair left, no pun intended.

 

[Happy Domino38]

It's ALLLLL true. As you guys know, I was a Paramedic and yes, there's DEFINITELY a 'oh crap, it's a full moon tonight guys!' mantra with all the Emergency workers. Suicides, fights and arrests can double sometimes!

As for astrological signs, I'm a Scorpio. I'm supposed to be dark, moody, quiet and horny as a hoot owl. With the exception of the 'owl' bit, that was NOT me.

But, a lot of other things WERE. When I'm mad, I'll just blow and it's over. I don't 'hold a grudge'. THAT'S Scorpio. I AM very loyal. I DO have a 'small but intense' group of friends. I know a LOT of people, but only consider a handful of them to be TRUE friends.

It IS a dicey supposition to think that when and where you're born has THAT much bearing on your personality, but some things can't be 'explained' away either.

But the MOON has been PROVEN Switched, you're not alone...just make sure that if YOUR 'symptoms' include things like anger and aggression, you get yourself into an 'up' place before it hits, ya big Werewolf you..

 

[Switched]

Wrt astrology there are 3 "decant" sorry do not know the En glish word, for each sign. You will fit one of them. That is why we can have folks of the same sign diametrically opposed e.g my wife's X and I. Some traits are similar but the majority totally opposite.

Her father was also Cancer, which I didn't know. When I asked her where he fit in, she stated somewhere in the middle. The basic traits will be there, the idiosyncrasies may not always be apparent, but you will definitely fit one of the profiles.

I no longer have the link for the info with which I am basing these observations, but I am sure it is available somewhere. Another bit that is interesting, we never chose our names, yet some sites have a pretty dran accurate description of who we are, yet we never chose our name, and it is obvious there are more forces at play here than meet the eye.

 

[waywardsister]

If I can chime in here as a former phone and internet psychic...

It is really easy to do things like write horoscopes, or personality profiles based on astrological signs. I've done it, for an online psychic network I used to work for (writing content and also tarot readings online). Why? Because everyone will find things in the description that pertains to them, and people have a tendency to remember the 'hits' and forget the 'misses'. Also confirmation bias...you will tend to look for things that confirm whatever the horoscope/description says about you. We all do this.

Never mind that the astrological zodiac that we still use today was developed in about 450BCE, and the precession of the equinoxes means that equinox and solstice points have drifted west over the past 2000 years...the zodiac constellations have moved, in other words. And there should be 13 signs, not 12, and a whole host of other things.

There is enough info in each sun sign description, and rising signs etc, to fit pretty much everyone. I can find myself in the description of every zodiac sign out there, if I look. Also in numerology descriptions/analysis of my name spelled several different ways.

As for the moon, the lunar force is actually quite weak, even as pertains to the tides. Nothing causal regarding the moon and its effect on people, behaviour etc has ever been shown, only correlations (which are not the same as causation, and could have nothing to do with the effects being studied...kinda like 'the majority of serial killers drink Pepsi' would be a correlation that could be completely meaningless as pertains to their behaviour)

Switched, it's so cool that you actually collected data on this though! Most ppl wouldn't (ie: cops, emerg. workers who see it's a full moon and so pay more attention to the craziness that occurs, yet do not collect any data on nights when the moon is not full in order to compare). I would suggest though that without collecting other sorts of data (ie: what else is going on in your body? are there other cyclical changes happening that could affect your moods? what is your diet like, and what were your eating patterns as per your moods? and so on) then what you have is a correlation, not a cause. So many other things to rule out. There really have been studies on lunar effects, and none of them have ever shown true causation. Not even (gasp) with menstrual cycles in mammals.

But hey, I'm an earth sign (or am I?) so what do I know I'm so fixed and stubborn and practical.

ETA: I should mention that when I was doing tarot etc readings for ppl, I really believed in what I was doing and honestly wanted to help people, as did most of the people I worked with.

 

[waywardsister]

As for astrological signs, I'm a Scorpio. I'm supposed to be dark, moody, quiet and horny as a hoot owl. With the exception of the 'owl' bit, that was NOT me.

But, a lot of other things WERE. When I'm mad, I'll just blow and it's over. I don't 'hold a grudge'. THAT'S Scorpio. I AM very loyal. I DO have a 'small but intense' group of friends. I know a LOT of people, but only consider a handful of them to be TRUE friends.

I am also this way, to a 't'. I am a Taurus. My hubby is also this way. He is a Gemini. And, my sister is also this way...a Sagittarius. I would hazard a guess that if you asked 1,000 people if they were...

*loyal
*quick to let go of a grudge
*know a lot of ppl, but only consider a handful of them to be true friends

...that the majority of that group would answer 'yes'. I wish I could find the horoscope that James Randi wrote...ervy single person he gave it to said it fit them perfectly. Humans seek patterns (and find them) and to confirm.

 

[Switched]

SNIP*

Switched, it's so cool that you actually collected data on this though! Most ppl wouldn't (ie: cops, emerg. workers who see it's a full moon and so pay more attention to the craziness that occurs, yet do not collect any data on nights when the moon is not full in order to compare). I would suggest though that without collecting other sorts of data (ie: what else is going on in your body? are there other cyclical changes happening that could affect your moods? what is your diet like, and what were your eating patterns as per your moods? and so on) then what you have is a correlation, not a cause. So many other things to rule out. There really have been studies on lunar effects, and none of them have ever shown true causation. Not even (gasp) with menstrual cycles in mammals.

SNIP*.

... as I stated because there was little to no outside interference, I collected the data. Those are my conclusions. I do not need the support of scientific data to support my findings.

My diet is pretty much steady, although I don't eat the same thing every day, so IMHO that's a moot point, but I do see where you are coming from. I support the observation but not necessarily the conclusion.

Wrt horoscopes, they are not worth the paper they are written on. However, I do lend credence to astrology. There are many outside forces that manifests themselves in our lives on a daily bases. I don't particularly care if they are labelled or not, I just accept them as is, and don't drive myself crazy wrt them or try to figure them out.

I remember visiting a friend many moons ago with my X. My friend knew her of course but his mother didn't, she was visiting and I doubt that my X was the subject of any subsequent conversation (s). She was into astrology. She asked what sign she was? My X wife responded Capricorn. Without a blink of an eye his mother turns to me and stated "I bet she has a rag in her hand most of the day". Yup! she used to. She was a clean freak all right. We went on to discuss many things, this is of little consequence, but a good profile was provided by a complete stranger. Call it mumbo jumbo, or voodoo, it's irrelevant. I will conceide what you are saying that, a fair deal of charlatans use generalized statisctical statements, but there are folks that are truly clutched in.

Can I explain it? No.
Is it important? Not to me.
Does it exist? Oh yeah.
The facts that scientist cannot explain it, is irrelevant as well. Does God exist? Can you prove it, one way or the other?

I leave you with this quote:

"Avant de trouver la logique de l'absurde, il faut d'aboard trouver l'absurdite de la logique" T. Lobsang Rampa

 

[waywardsister]

... as I stated because there was little to no outside interference, I collected the data. Those are my conclusions. I do not need the support of scientific data to support my findings.

What else did you compare your moods to other than the lunar cycles? Honestly asking out of curiosity.

My diet is pretty much steady, although I don't eat the same thing every day, so IMHO that's a moot point, but I do see where you are coming from. I support the observation but not necessarily the conclusion.

I getcha...just using diet as an example of another factor that can (and does) influence mood/brain chemistry/hormones etc. There are others. Anecdotally, diet was completely responsible for my mood problems (but I have no idea if there was any sort of cyclical element to it, as I didn't measure that). What I am getting at is that there are other factors that could be ruled out and tested.

There are many outside forces that manifests themselves in our lives on a daily bases. I don't particularly care if they are labelled or not, I just accept them as is, and don't drive myself crazy wrt them or try to figure them out.

So you don't care if the things you think are true are actually true, or at least probable?

Without a blink of an eye his mother turns to me and stated "I bet she has a rag in her hand most of the day". Yup! she used to. She was a clean freak all right.

So is my hubby, the gemini. My ex, on the other hand, was a slobby-... capricorn

Can I explain it? No.
Is it important? Not to me.
Does it exist? Oh yeah.

I may be misunderstanding you, so I say this to clarify. If you can't explain something but you believe it exists, then evidence (for or against) its actual existence is not important to you. Is that what you meant?

The facts that scientist cannot explain it, is irrelevant as well. Does God exist? Can you prove it, one way or the other?

Despite the fact that the burden of proof rests with the person making the claim, science can offer demonstrative evidence about things, and the probalibity or improbability of things can be determined. Of course you can't prove non-existence of a non-physical claim...but that's not where the burden of proof lies anyway.

What can be done, however, is provide evidence that explains the effects that are being observed and attributed to a 'supernatural' source (astrology, for example).

I leave you with this quote:

"Avant de trouver la logique de l'absurde, il faut d'aboard trouver l'absurdite de la logique" T. Lobsang Rampa

T. Lobsang Rampa...you mean Cyril Henry Hoskin, the English guy who claimed to be the 'host' of a Tibetan lama who wrote a bunch of books, one of which he claimed was dictated to him by his cat? My French is not great (sorry) but let me give it a go:

Before you find (search for) the logic in absurdity, you first have to find (search for) the absurdity of logic. (Am I close?) If so, then is he saying logic, in and of itself, is absurd and therefore useless?

 

[Switched]

What else did you compare your moods to other than the lunar cycles? Honestly asking out of curiosity.

Moons affect water signs, that is supposed to be factual. We do know lunar cycles affect the tides and animal behaviour. They do not know why, but know it

I getcha...just using diet as an example of another factor that can (and does) influence mood/brain chemistry/hormones etc. There are others. Anecdotally, diet was completely responsible for my mood problems (but I have no idea if there was any sort of cyclical element to it, as I didn't measure that). What I am getting at is that there are other factors that could be ruled out and tested.

Understood and already answered. I will not engage in a lengthy conversation wrt the effects of different foods on the body, as IMO they are not germane to this conversation. Suffice it to say that I am cognisant enough wrt the effects of foods in combination etc... to be able to dismiss it in this equation. This has been going on my entire life, not a snapshot. Now I least have an explanation. Do I need scientific anecdotal evidence? No

So you don't care if the things you think are true are actually true, or at least probable?

Previously answered.

So is my hubby, the gemini. My ex, on the other hand, was a slobby-... capricorn

As I stated there are 3 decants, whatever the word is in English, having done astrology I would presume you can help me out here. Basically two are complete opposites in many facets, while the third is sitting on the fence, or in other words smack down the middle.

I may be misunderstanding you, so I say this to clarify. If you can't explain something but you believe it exists, then evidence (for or against) its actual existence is not important to you. Is that what you meant?

Your words not mine. But yes it is insignificant.

Despite the fact that the burden of proof rests with the person making the claim, science can offer demonstrative evidence about things, and the probalibity or improbability of things can be determined. Of course you can't prove non-existence of a non-physical claim...but that's not where the burden of proof lies anyway.

What can be done, however, is provide evidence that explains the effects that are being observed and attributed to a 'supernatural' source (astrology, for example).

... this isn't a court of law. These were/are my observations. All I know is that it has been consistent throughout my life, and never understood until 2003. At least now I feel much much better, because to me (and that is the only important thing here) I finally can understand my mood swings. They are cyclical with the moon. If other folks don't feel the pull, hey I am cool with that. But many have experienced the same.

T. Lobsang Rampa...you mean Cyril Henry Hoskin, the English guy who claimed to be the 'host' of a Tibetan lama who wrote a bunch of books, one of which he claimed was dictated to him by his cat? My French is not great (sorry) but let me give it a go:

Before you find (search for) the logic in absurdity, you first have to find (search for) the absurdity of logic. (Am I close?) If so, then is he saying logic, in and of itself, is absurd and therefore useless?

Nol, I meant T Lobsang Rampa, but yes you got the gist of the quote right.

In closing, do you have an explanation for what I have experienced my entire life, with all your experience in the "super natural"? If not why not?

In brining this thread back on track, is it pure coincidence that both my "analog" attacks pretty much occured during lunar cyclical events? I don't, because as previously mentioned knowing how the moon cycle affects me, I don't pay attention to the calendar, but I am intelligent enough to join the dots. Having said that, I will confess that it may be a little premature at this point to attribute the lunar cycle to the "analog" fix requirement, but I am a realist we will soon enough find out.

 

[waywardsister]

Moons affect water signs, that is supposed to be factual. We do know lunar cycles affect the tides and animal behaviour. They do not know why, but know it.

I asked just because I wondered if you compared your results to anything OTHER than the lunar cycles, to see if there were any other correlations that existed in your life. Other correlations may exist, and if you don't investigate them then you may be missing something that could actually help with your moods. Saying that your moods match up with the lunar cycle, so the lunar cycle must be the cause of your moods, doesn't make much sense unless you have ruled out other things as well. So I was wondering what else you tested.

Heck, it may well be something to do with the moon...if so, it would be well worth finding out what this effect is and how it is exerted. For example, do lunar cycles have an effect on seratonin levels? This would be good information to have. Have you looked in to any studies (if any have been done) about the moon affecting brain chemistry?


I wasn't trying to steer the converstion toward food effects...just using it as an example. Sorry if I wasn't clear.

As I stated there are 3 decants, whatever the word is in English, having done astrology I would presume you can help me out here. Basically two are complete opposites in many facets, while the third is sitting on the fence, or in other words smack down the middle.

It's decans, close enough What I am saying is just that there has been no demonstration that astrology at all has any actual evidence as to its efficacy.

Your words not mine. But yes it is insignificant.

I was asking you for clarification, not trying to put words in your mouth. Again, sorry if I was not clear. I don't like to assume someone means something without clarifying.

Seems like I was at least close to undertanding what you meant though, so ok. The thing is, when it comes to health especially (ie: your moods), don't you think it is better to actually get information that you can confirm and is based on facts, or at least supported by strong evidence? We complain about people all the time who are knee-jerk opposed to e-cigs, for example, because they feel it is just like smoking...evidence be damned.

At least now I feel much much better, because to me (and that is the only important thing here) I finally can understand my mood swings. They are cyclical with the moon.

Glad you feel better

Nol, I meant T Lobsang Rampa, but yes you got the gist of the quote right.

Yay...my French isn't as bad as I thought! lol

Tuesday Lobsang Rampa was actually a British guy named Cyril Hoskin. He claimed that Rampa was a dead lama from Tibet who took over his body after he (Hoskin) fell out of a tree.

In closing, do you have an explanation for what I have experienced my entire life, with all your experience in the "super natural"? If not why not?

Do you mean with your mood swings? Well no, how could I. I could suggest several things that you could check out, but you may not find them germane to the conversation, and you've already made up your mind as to the cause.

I will say though that we don't know what we don't know, and it is always worthwhile to challenge our own deeply held beliefs (actually, it is especially important to challenge our deeply held beliefs, as they are the ones that tend to affect our lives most). I was deeply disappointed to find out, 25 years after the fact, that my most exciting 'ghost' experience and several 'spirit guide' experiences were more readily explained by something I hadn't been aware existed...hypnogogic sleep experiences. Total bummer, but there you go. Evidently I'd had many of these, and had no idea what they were...so interpreted them in the way that made the most natural sense, based on my knowledge at the time. That's what I mean by we don't know what we don't know.

Do you still track your moods to see if they correlate to the moon? Are you going to track your analog attacks (if they happen again, of course...hope they don't) and see if they correlate to your moods and/or to the moon? Also, would you be willing to take your data to someone, to see if there would be (or is) any sort of study about moods/lunar effects? Could really help people, if there is an effect like this.

 

[Switched]

In summation, no I do not have an explanation. However I do believe there to be a series of external forces acting upon us in more ways than one. Some of them my very well be gravitational, others unexplainable. My sister racks her brain trying the figure out the whys etc... I have better things to do than try and figure out the unexplainable.

Maybe to get a better understanding I also believe we are not alone in the universe. On that note, we don't have proof of that neither. Are they little green men dressed in silver suits? Hell no.

I do not like hospitals nor doctors, and I don't like to be a guinea pig neither. If it's bleeding or broke - I go to the hospital, other than that...

Do you still track your moods to see if they correlate to the moon? Are you going to track your analog attacks (if they happen again, of course...hope they don't) and see if they correlate to your moods and/or to the moon? Also, would you be willing to take your data to someone, to see if there would be (or is) any sort of study about moods/lunar effects? Could really help people, if there is an effect like this.

Yes and no. I do not pay attention to it too much. There are months that are not as bad as others and sometimes I will breeze by them, sort of. I pretty much ignore them as not to condition myself to: the moon is coming sort of thing. But will indeed check the calendar should I seek clarification, as with the analog cravings.

Yes I will chart my analog cravings, because I was able to correlate them with the lunar cycle. What is important is, should they occur on the moons, then I know they will be short lived and not me falling off the wagon, or on my way to fall off the wagon. That data is important, the rest well...

That is interesting about Rampa. I have used that saying on many occasions.

It is not always easy carrying out a 2 dimensional conversation in a 3 dimensional world.

 

[Switched]

It is indeed time to update this thread.

Having kept track (sort of) Yes the lunar cycle is also my craving cycle, and yes, the new moon of the quarter is a doosy still.

As I mentioned I thought I had it licked, but outside forces had a different idea. July came and July went without too much fuss as did October, but January was a doosy starting on the 2nd before petering off on the 6th, to finish on the 8th.

Recalling the severity, I would have to speculate that the 1st month of the quarter is more severe than the last. Nonetheless, yes the cravings are still very much present. This last episode I did not use any demon chaser and continued vaping my std 18mg. I may have to revisit my thinking towards that. December was also when I went to 100% VG because of a sensitivity to PG. I must say I do prefer VG over PG (it is a more rounder vape) but it does leave you feeling empty at times.

I will continue to chart my course and update this thread as required. That being said, as discussed in "woody's" thread I believe we all struggle to some degree with our addiction, some more than others as pointed out by Noisemaker. The 510 is what got me off analogs, my carto system had failed there. I have not had a cig since acquiring my 510 8 Feb 2010. I had started vaping 2.5 weeks prior to that. vaping does work, but addicts we will always remain