Vaping Diminishing Returns

[SmellYaLaterCigs]

So I've been vaping for ~4 months after smoking for 10 years. During those 4 months I haven't had any cigs.

Until the last week I couldn't have been happier with vaping. I enjoyed the taste, tinkering with different mods, and the relaxation it provided. My cravings were nearly non-existent, nothing like when I was smoking, but I still enjoyed vaping out of habit.

The last week has been very different however, all day long i'm getting strong cravings like its the first day of quitting smoking cold turkey. I understand there are good days and bad days when you quit but the problem is vaping isn't doing anything for me. Today I've had my vape in my hand constantly and i'm still getting severe cravings which hasn't happened in months. I've tried 4-5 different juices, different mods, tanks, etc and still no improvement.

I just can't believe how EXTREME my cravings have been all of a sudden after months of really no cravings and the ineffectiveness of vaping today makes it awful. Has anyone else experienced anything like this or do I simply need to work on improving my personal mindset?

 

[WarHawk-AVG]

Get some stronger nic juice, see if that helps
What level juice are you vaping now?

 

[SmellYaLaterCigs]

I've been using 12mg the whole time, giving 18 a shot isn't a bad idea.

 

[degnr8]

It happens. I'm over four years in and still have those cravings once in a while. Stronger nic definitely helps and they get easier to ignore after a while.

 

[CreepyLady]

I have certainly had random moments (hours or a day) like this just come seemingly out of nowhere. I just grab a higher nic juice and try not to dwell on it. I think its just a sneaky slap of evil stinky addiction that happens. Just try to focus on other things and it will pass.

 

[Iffy]

Would assist us in assisting you if we knew what, how much and long you smoked.

My general minimum guidelines for my new v-verts are:

2.5+ PAD > 32mg
2 - 2.5 > 24mg
1.5 - 2 > 18mg
1 or less > 12 or 15mg

Please note that these are just rough starting points. I try to closely monitor my v-verts' progression (or lack thereof) in order to sate their needs without over nic'ing.

 

[Rickajho]

At four months a fit of cravings doesn't surprise me. But the intensity and frequency of cravings does fizzle out over time. If it's really bad, as others have suggested up your nic level temporarily. That, and increase your vaping frequency as well. This is no time to be chasing cravings with your PV - keep up a consistent vaping habit.

 

[olderthandirt]

....
I just can't believe how EXTREME my cravings have been all of a sudden after months of really no cravings and the ineffectiveness of vaping today makes it awful. Has anyone else experienced anything like this or do I simply need to work on improving my personal mindset?

FWIW, you are not alone in what you're going through. Couldn't give you a number but I'm sure a large percentage of us have gone through the very same thing.

In my case, the use of snuff and Swedish snus along with my vape is what it took to put paid to the cravings.
Simply increasing the nicotine level may be all you need. If not, there are other forms of smokeless tobacco that have helped more than a few of us.

Take some time and browse around the Other Alternatives to Smoking Forum here on good ol' ECF.

Other Alternatives to Smoking

 

[RosaJ]

Try smoking a cigarette. You may surprise yourself and realize you can't stand smoking any more. You will not be a failure if you do, remember vaping is tobacco harm reduction not smoking cessation. I allowed myself to smoke at least one cigarette a day when I first started and the day came when that cigarette was the grossest thing I could put in my mouth. That was 20 months ago and never had a craving since.

The more you deny yourself the harder it is. Believe me when I say that it has nothing to do with will power, your body will tell you which it prefers, smoking or vaping.

 

[SmellYaLaterCigs]

Thanks for the advice everyone! I'm going to attempt to distract myself for the rest of the night then go to the vape shop in the morning and pick up some 18mg juice. I will report back to let everyone know the results.

@Iffy, When I quit I was just over a pack a day, approximately 25 Camel Lights per day, so 18mg probably would have been a better starting point for me.

 

[Thrasher]

I even have a small bottle of 32 around just in case, never use anymore it but back in the day it helped alot, would kill the cravings and get so whacked on a nic buzz I forgot all about smoking lol

but dont ever kill yourself if you really want a smoke. many people think it has to be all or none and it doesnt, the thing to do is if you do have a smoke once in a while then keep vaping is to try to focus on how many you didnt smoke this week and not the few you did.

 

[Jonathan Tittle]

Something else to consider, it may not necessarily be nicotine that you're craving. There's a laundry list of chemicals that come alive when combustion takes place, so your cravings could be your body telling you that it's withdrawing from the other chemicals that you were more accustom to when you were smoking cigarettes.

You can, of course and as other suggestion, up your nicotine from 12mg to 18mg to see if that helps, but then again, it could just be your body saying "hey, what's going on, I'm not getting [insert chemical] - I need it, I'm used to it" and since you're not giving in, you're getting what you feel is a nicotine craving.

 

[Penn]

So I've been vaping for ~4 months after smoking for 10 years. During those 4 months I haven't had any cigs.

Until the last week I couldn't have been happier with vaping. I enjoyed the taste, tinkering with different mods, and the relaxation it provided. My cravings were nearly non-existent, nothing like when I was smoking, but I still enjoyed vaping out of habit.

The last week has been very different however, all day long i'm getting strong cravings like its the first day of quitting smoking cold turkey. I understand there are good days and bad days when you quit but the problem is vaping isn't doing anything for me. Today I've had my vape in my hand constantly and i'm still getting severe cravings which hasn't happened in months. I've tried 4-5 different juices, different mods, tanks, etc and still no improvement.

I just can't believe how EXTREME my cravings have been all of a sudden after months of really no cravings and the ineffectiveness of vaping today makes it awful. Has anyone else experienced anything like this or do I simply need to work on improving my personal mindset?

I'm not understanding a few things. First, (and from you) define cravings?

Second (from the people saying so) what did anyone see in the OP to indicate the cravings are physical to justify immediately jumping to "up your nic"?

If I was to guess from what the OP posted, this is a psychological craving and he needs to figure out what exactly is lacking.

 

[Iffy]

Thanks for the advice everyone! I'm going to attempt to distract myself for the rest of the night then go to the vape shop in the morning and pick up some 18mg juice. I will report back to let everyone know the results.

@Iffy, When I quit I was just over a pack a day, approximately 25 Camel Lights per day, so 18mg probably would have been a better starting point for me.

Ya might also want to get a small bottle of 24mg of your fav flav. Dat extra 'kick' might get ya thru da ruff 'spots' if and/or when da 18mg doesn't 'do it' fer ya. Plus, if da 24mg is too much, ya can mix a lil' of da 24 and 18mg 50/50 for 21mg (nice intermediate level).

Please do let us know how ya do. Good luck!

 

[Racehorse]

I would always keep 1 or 2 bottles of higher nic juice just for when you need a few hits of higher nic.

do I simply need to work on improving my personal mindset?

It can't hurt, I strongly suggest the classic and best seller, Allan Carr's Easy Way to Quit Smoking. It really sets your mind up right, and is unlike other books.....I guess that's why it's been a best seller for many decades. I used to read a little every night, it helped me a whole lot.

I do not know why the psychological tools to getting off stinkies isn't discussed more here.....mind/body, you know, they work "together".

 

[Iffy]

Second (from the people saying so) what did anyone see in the OP to indicate the cravings are physical to justify immediately jumping to "up your nic"?

If I was to guess from what the OP posted, this is a psychological craving and he needs to figure out what exactly is lacking.

I would guess there are a few thousands here that have been through and conquered the same challenges. In most of those cases I've read here, it was a matter of nic over need.

Now, I'll grant you that there are those folk that need WTA and/or whatever extra to get over the 'hump'. But chances are, based upon the OP's info thus far, he/she just needs to find a 'sweet nic spot' and a fav flav or two or three or...

How 'bout we just wait and see if we get a 'happy camper' or a 'hapless hope' before we deviate too far off a well worn and proven path.

 

[Jayvaps]

I am a 'newb' but over the past month since I have quit, I still have cravings at times. The best thing I can say is the more you think about it, the worse it is.

I try to get my mind occupied with something else if I can during those times. Anything.

Sometimes, taking a nice relaxing bath will help me.

I also try to keep different delivery methods around for those times. I started out using cartos, so sometimes a switch back to those helps.

Also, take a slower deeper drag and exhale out your nose. It helps me to get more nic into the body. Most times I dont think about it, but I find if I am very deliberate about my inhale and exhale and take it very slow, it helps during those times.

Good luck!

 

[klynnn]

I may be a whole lot dif but I smoked 48 yrs and couldn't do 18mg. I can't imagine 36. No wonder I'm still in good health.

 

[DigChrono]

I quit cold turkey for awhile, and relapsed because I had cravings like this, but that was before I started vaping. I keep some fairly high nic juice around just in case I have times like this.

 

[madqatter]

Try smoking a cigarette. You may surprise yourself and realize you can't stand smoking any more.

After 4 months without any cigs, I'm inclined to say the same. Get one from a smoker (don't buy a whole pack) and light it. It's repulsive.