Vaping as bulimia relief

[Giraut]

One of my best friends suffers from bulimia. He's been battling intense cravings for sweet foods (specifically chocolate and cinnamon cookies) for as long as he can remember. Apparently in his case, the cravings come and go, but when they come, he acts like a drug addict in search of a fix. It's amazing to see someone suddenly start to turn the house upside down to find chocolate. And if he finds some, *holy moly* he can eat the stuff until he gets seriously sick.

Anyhow, yesterday we were chit-chatting about vaping and how it keeps my own addiction to nicotine in check. He said it was a pity something like this didn't exist for chocolate addicts, because that'd make the waves of craving more bearable. And I though, well, there could be: what if he vaped no-nic choc and cinnamon cookie flavored juices? Just for the taste, and to have something to put in his mouth to wait out the cravings. Of course, he won't get the feeling of having a full stomach, but it might just help.

I put the idea to him and he said it was an interesting idea. He's never smoked in his life, doesn't like it, doesn't like seeing it (good for him), but he said he'd give it a go. In his case, he doesn't even need to draw the vapor in his lungs or anything, so that might help the inevitable coughing that'll come when coming into contact with PG for the first time. Unfortunately, I couldn't find PG-free ready-made juices - I might need to make it myself with only VG, but first I'll wait to see first if it vaping provides any kind of relief to his problem at all.

So, that should be an interesting little experiment. I have 2 vials of juice on order (see *me* ordering no-nic juice ), and I'll lend him a VV eGo battery to vape on low, so he gets the flavors without the coughs - hopefully.

 

[steved5600]

I do not recommend any kind of self medicating. True bulimia is something for a doctor to address. Vaping may just give the person another addiction. Unless you have a pshyc degree or medical license I would not try to prescribe vaping as a solution. Vaping is for people who want to quit smoking not for someone with an eating disorder. LEAVE IT TO THE DOCTORS. Unless someone on here can show a degree or license they are not qualified to prescribe this either. Your heart might be in the right place but don't monkey with his treatment. You an they could end up regretting it. Take it from someone with a disorder or two.

 

[Giraut]

Trust me, he's spent his life seeing doctors and shrinks - and he still does. Besides, I'm not "prescribing" anything, and he's trying it out of his own volition. I just figured vaping, especially at 0 mg, is harmless enough to suggest the idea.

EDIT: also, he himself says that if he ends up addicted to vaping, he'd rather do that than stuff himself silly with sugar and gain weight, and I fully agree.

 

[FireDragon1138]

There is a sub-culture of vapers that are non-smokers that vape as a dieting aide, so it makes sense as something to try.

 

[Wow1420]

Good for you for trying to help and support your friend. Here's hoping he finds some relief for his problem.

 

[PLANofMAN]

There is a sub-culture of vapers that are non-smokers that vape as a dieting aid, so it makes sense as something to try.

Yep. I've seen quite a few threads covering that subject. There's a world of non-nic flavors to explore.

Good for you for trying to help and support your friend. Here's hoping he finds some relief for his problem.

I wish I could like this more than once.

Vaping is a solution to more than one problem. Yes, it was invented as an aid to help smokers quit smoking, but if it can help other people with other problems, why shouldn't we be supportive? ...... was originally created as a treatment for hypertension, and we all know how that turned out.

 

[FireDragon1138]

I've started vaping in earnest yesterday, going half a day without a smoke... the flavor is a lot clearer tha smoking and seems to give some satisfaction that smoking doesn't: I've been having this habit of getting the munchies in the past few months (weird as nicotine is supposed to curb appetite), and I noticed a certain satisfaction from vaping that I didn't get from smoking that reminded me more of eating food. Mind you, I was vaping RY4 and tobacco flavors, but I still noticed this.

I would use a lower wattage setup for vaping food flavors, lower wattage seems to preserve the foodiness better than cranking up the heat, so what a non-smoker would like in terms of a vape, would probably be very different than a smoker.

.

 

[CES]

I wish your friend the best of luck with trying vaping as a way to ride out the urge to binge.

I'm glad your friend is also getting medical and emotional support. Bulimia can be deadly. Hopefully he's seeing a nutritionist/dietitian as well, and already knows that the urge to binge can be strongly triggered by dieting/calorie restriction. Vaping might work as a support, but only if if his body doesn't think he's starving.

 

[Afine]

I'm sorry but I can't help but disagree. There's a difference between using vaping as a dieting aid and using it to treat a serious affliction. I know you want to help your friend but this could easily become unhealthy. What if he stops eating?

I'd get the opinion of a doctor, or at least a nutritionist first.

 

[TheProphet]

I could see it working. Bulemia is a type of self-harm, and I know vaping can help with that. It's what I mainly use it for. I used to cut, but now if I want to do that I just take a hit on my vape instead. Helps me relax. Been clean for a month thanks to that.

 

[RosaJ]

Bulimia is the disease where the person binges on food and then vomits what he just ate. Anorexia is the disease where the person doesn't eat at all. Both are the result of the person who has a psychological problem and is afraid to gain weight and results in the organs in the body to deteriorate to the point of death.

Is your friend overweight and just binges on food? If so, that is not bulimia.

I am fortunate that I was never obsessive about my weight to that extent, but I did smoke to keep my weight "on check." I don't look down upon anyone who tries to control their weight with vaping. It's worth giving it a try, however, either bulimia or anorexia are a serious psychological condition (that eventually becomes a physical problem) that needs to be taken very seriously and your friend should continue to work with doctors. Best of luck to both of you.

 

[GPC2012]

I've battled weight all my life, been as heavy as 416 had surgery for it, was as low as 168 to 175 for over 10 years, was injured on the job and the 3 years of dealing with work comp sitting around waiting on them to fix me. (had to wait 9 months to get a surgery I should have had the day I was injured) the recovery the rehab the fact that now I'm considered disable and had to retire. I had crept up to 270lbs. My wife and I were given with our consent E cigs for Christmas. since then we have both quit smoking. I had smoked for about 43 years and she for about 30. She although never been heavy has lost about 20 lbs. and is still losing. I have lost 32 lbs and am still losing. Our lives are better we are healthier. I vape to replace smoking, and all the munching that goes along with trying to quit. every time I had attempted to quit in the past part of the problem had always been putting on a large amount of weight. Not so this time. when I get the food craving I vape something sweet or otherwise suited to my craving. when I crave nicotine I vape what I want. We have not only discussed this with our Dr. he has even sampled my Ecig and was amazed at the wonderful flavor he tasted. In his opinion this is a GREAT alternative addiction to smoking or overeating. I monitor my health pretty close as I have had two heart attacks and am an epileptic. Nobody prescribed this for us. just like the OP he offered an alternative. Fantastic more power to your friend from someone who knows and understands the whole un-quenchable craving thing. The best of luck to you and your friend.

VAPE ON
AND LIVE LONG

 

[Giraut]

My understanding is that he binges on sugary foodstuff and then pukes, but mostly because he ate so much of it, not because he forces himself to puke. Maybe that's not bulemia, I may not understand the finer points. That's what he calls it though...

FWIW, many years ago, I used to weigh over 280 lbs - not because I had bulimia, but because I have this strange, incredibly efficient metabolism and I put on weight very quickly even with exercize and a balanced diet. Now I weigh 170 lbs, and it's been like that for years, but I have to maintain a very aggressive diet and a strict regimen of exercize just to stay at that weight, and I can never let my guard down. So I'm no stranger to weight problems. Just saying, if someone thinks I'm proposing any old solution to a problem I don't understand...

 

[DC2]

Some day vaping will be recognized as a legitimate form of weight control.

In fact, here is something of interest...
Le Whaf will turn your favorite food into delicious, calorie-free vapor | News | Geek.com

 

[RosaJ]

My understanding is that he binges on sugary foodstuff and then pukes, but mostly because he ate so much of it, not because he forces himself to puke. Maybe that's not bulemia, I may not understand the finer points. That's what he calls it though...

FWIW, many years ago, I used to weigh over 280 lbs - not because I had bulimia, but because I have this strange, incredibly efficient metabolism and I put on weight very quickly even with exercize and a balanced diet. Now I weigh 170 lbs, and it's been like that for years, but I have to maintain a very aggressive diet and a strict regimen of exercize just to stay at that weight, and I can never let my guard down. So I'm no stranger to weight problems. Just saying, if someone thinks I'm proposing any old solution to a problem I don't understand...

If he involuntarily feels nauseous and vomits when he eats sugars, then it may be something wrong with his digestive system and it could be treatable with medicines. Again, I'm not a medical professional, only his doctors know for sure. But if vaping helps him, I'm all for it.

 

[mare ze dotes]

If it helps him, never say no. Never say no if it don't matter to you personally. Let the people do as they see fit for their own lives. I quit smoking with out gaining weight. My cold turkey friend gained 60 lbs.

 

[FireDragon1138]

Bulemia comes from the Greek, it means "ox eating" and medically refers to gorging, and it can be a symptom of another condition. It may or may not be a psychiatric symptom. Bulemia nervosa refers to the psychiatric condition where a person overeats, then purges the food. The two are very different.

In the same way, the term anorexia describes a loss of appetite, and in itself is not a psychiatric condition.

 

[lexic]

I do not recommend any kind of self medicating. True bulimia is something for a doctor to address. Vaping may just give the person another addiction. Unless you have a pshyc degree or medical license I would not try to prescribe vaping as a solution. Vaping is for people who want to quit smoking not for someone with an eating disorder. LEAVE IT TO THE DOCTORS. Unless someone on here can show a degree or license they are not qualified to prescribe this either. Your heart might be in the right place but don't monkey with his treatment. You an they could end up regretting it. Take it from someone with a disorder or two.

Vaping is for people who want to vape. It is not a medical quit smoking device. Nobody needs to prescribe anything.

 

[treehead]

Trust me, he's spent his life seeing doctors and shrinks - and he still does. Besides, I'm not "prescribing" anything, and he's trying it out of his own volition. I just figured vaping, especially at 0 mg, is harmless enough to suggest the idea.

EDIT: also, he himself says that if he ends up addicted to vaping, he'd rather do that than stuff himself silly with sugar and gain weight, and I fully agree.

Registered Nurse reporting in! I figured he's already seen doctors upon doctors let alone psychologists, I really feel for those with bulimia because one of my best friends used to battle with it too, and like you said It's really eye-opening to see them binge on sweets, I still remember the first time my (now) girlfriend ate 4 vanilla puddings using 2 king size reese's packs as spoons (before I understood what was going on I thought that was pretty attractive , seeing a girl with an actual appetite), it truly surprised me seeing her eat it like she was at an eating championship, by the 3rd one I asked to try it just so she didn't do too much damage to her pancreas.

I've never made the connection, but you may have stumbled on a genius idea! Since your friend is basically "addicted" to chocolate, a tiny amount of nicotine in his chocolate e-liquid might be good for him, 1) Because it's an appetite suppressant 2) Because it causes the brain to release serotonin, just like chocolate. and 3) Because like you said it's something to keep his sweet tooth busy.

~Again you should always check with a doc to see if it's ok for his condition, but nicotine is one of the best appetite suppresants there is, it may be bad for him if he's skin and bones as it is, but if he's not dangerously skinny then it's certainly better than damaging you stomach, throat, and teeth with bulimia. Look it up and you'll see there's a strong correlation between chocolate and nicotine in how they affect the brain , it's all serotonin action. Ooooh I wish I could send you some of this 100%VG mix I get here in Alaska from (Alaskan Smokeless) a guy who makes it himself, his chocolate is sooo rich, I have a 10ml bottle of "almond joy" and I swear to god it's more flavorful than the real thing .

*Make sure you guys ask a doc about the possibility of diabetes, it sounds alot like diabetes to me, with a side effect of bulimia from binging. My family has it bad, and I don't have it YET but I find myself waking up around 2 in the morning CRAVING something sweet, I usually end up getting 2 donuts and a glass of milk. It's definitely the pancreas getting lazy, and then turning around when the body is in trouble and making us crave sweets like a rabid animal. Just my

Hope it helps!

 

[klynnn]

I think in his situation it's worth a try. When I wanted to quit my addiction to tobacco and saw an ad online for ecigs I said what the heck I'll give it a shot. Been cigarette free ever since, so you never know.