Vaping for 4 months-why do I still crave the analog?!

[justincase]

Good morning sundance.

T Bob is indeed the Pied Piper of Smokeless tobacco and other alternatives to smoking around here.

The other chemicals you mention are pursued in epic detail in this thread:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/nicotine/44958-so-we-getting-we-not-nicotine.html
And summed up rather succinctly in the blog from a resident chemist DVap:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/blogs/dvap/403-its-not-just-nicotine.html
and
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...g-i-think-i-know-about-vaping-vs-analogs.html
Welcome to ECF!!

Thanks for putting up those links, OTD.
I also suffer from this "I am lacking something", and have found that I just may not have been giving myself what I really needed. I have heard (read) people on here talk about vaping 36mg and my reaction was 8-o,
BUT, that is just about right for someone like me that was a heavy smoker of Camel full flavor cigarettes.

Man, I would have never found that by myself, so I really can't thank you enough.
Kudos have to go out to DVap too, since he is the one who wrote the stuff. Feel like I have a renewed sense of..something...


EDIT: Now where is that big bottle of unflavored nic juice...?

 

[Jules22871]

I've been vaping for 10 days, and in those 10 days, I have also smoked 10 analogs. The first 2 days weren't so bad...the 3rd day I really had to fight myself to NOT light one up...the 4th day was REALLY HARD and I made it all day, until late that night when I was so cranky and irritable, I was ready to rip my dogs head off because she was "smacking her lips" and the sound of it was driving me batty! I went out to the car, grabbed the half pack of smokes that was in there and lit up. It was awful. The taste, the smell...ugh. BUT, it satisfied that craving my body had been having.

There IS something besides nicotine that my body wants. I've upped my nic to the point that I've made myself nauseas. It's not the smell I want, cuz I have never liked the smell of analogs. It's not the throat hit cuz I'm getting that, it's not the smoke...I don't know what it is. All I know is, I need it or I get extremely irritable.

I smoked a couple that 4th night and a few the day after. Now, I just need one a day, and that seems to keep me satisfied. After smoking a pack a day for 20+ years, I think 1 a day is not too shabby.

I'm sure there is more than one thing in cigarettes that kept us all coming back to them again and again. There is no telling what all they put in there and what effects it has on our brains.

If it takes you one cig a day to keep going, then I say go for it. You are doing great!!!

 

[bobtow]

I was a chain smoker so first thing in am my nic wants are way to strong to deal with PV. I chain 3...sounds like I am crocheting...then switch to PV. Both my sons are home from college and they work my nerves all day so I find myself going to an analog one time about 4pm. Then I leave them on their wittle shelf til I wake up again. Saturday is freedom day from both sons so I'm hoping to get rid of the evening/afternoon analog. WOOHOO...Deitra[/QUOT I will probably sound like a dealer, but I am not. I smoke for fifty odd years before I quit cold turkey. It is not pleasant, and it takes a lot longer than some people say. I vape now it makes me feel llike I have been missing something as an ex smoker. Do you know there is such a thing as a Tobacco vaperizor? It uses any kind of tobacco, and comes with a grinder that prepares it for Vaping. Maybe the vapor from this type using tobacco has the ingredients that are missing in the liquid. They are not really as portable as an ecig, they look a lot like water pipe type gadget, but they have thermostats and vaporize the tobacco dry. They were probably first used for weed. Try some research. You can use the ecig at work, and outside the home. I hear tobacco vaporizers smell a bit, but not the burning smell of analogs, just like sweet fresh tobacco.. Anyway it could get you off of analogs for good!

 

[AlexTM]

Actually, the MAOIs in tobacco (currently the most likely candidate for what's the bit people are missing) are not something anybody "put in there", unless you count Mother Nature. Who, as we all know, can be quite beasty.

Frankly, I'd consider smokeless tobacco before I'd consider a tobacco vaporizer. Inhaling a whole plant may not be the best of ideas, even though it is most likely better than inhaling said plant in burned form.

 

[Clem68W]

Yeah, pot smokers have been using those evaporater things for years, which is what I thought e-cigs were doing when I first heard of them. Wish I had know the difference sooner, as I would've tried vaping sooner.

Anywho, my personal trip of the last month or so has been similar to a lot of new vapers. I tried to go cold turkey, using the low-level nicotine that my kit came with and ended up sucking those carts dry in like, a day, went immediately back to smoking analogs. I got some 20mg nic juice, which was tastier, and felt better, but I had to suck on it like a crack addict to get aaaaaanything out of it, and was bumming smokes at work within a day. I grew despondent, broke down, bought smokes, ordered some 36mg juice and hacked my way into the next week. The 36mg juice came with a better atomizer, and bowled me over. I was finally satisfied. For a while. Week went by, and although the tasty 36mg juice did the trick, I was still suffering some kind of withdrawals. I was cranky, a little photosensitive, and generally despised everyone around me, including my wife. I was coming here by then, so I was reading what folks were putting out and decided I needed something, as I was two angry outbursts from marriage counselling and a pack of camels. I bought some SNUS. It isn't bad tasting. I've dipped before, and this is like candy compared to copenhagen. It isn't very strong, either. But...It. Did. The. Trick. I have 1 or 2 little pouches a day, which is very light usage, and I'm pretty delighted with the results.

If you're like me and have had chemical dependency issues (most of your life), you probably know who you are even if you don't admit it openly, then I'd advise supplementing your vaping early on. And don't let them scare you away from the Camel stuff. It doesn't taste terrible, and it has the additional benefit of being available at most gas stations. That's one of the reasons cigarettes are so damn insidious. As the saying goes, "work the problem, don't let the problem work you."

I've gone on too much. Good luck.

 

[dawgcrazy]

If it takes you one cig a day to keep going, then I say go for it. You are doing great!!!

Thanks! I am amazed that I am down to only one a day. Can't wait till it's NONE though.

 

[CaptJay]

Zoomie made a good point way back in this thread - about liking hte smell of cigarettes - but other people's - when they are lit and smoking away by themselves (or even being smoked). That rang a huge bell with me - and its funny - but that smell doesn't equal the taste of the thing at ALL. I gave uup smoking by accident, not design, after I got my 510, and I smelled one while out the other day (a ciggie) and it smeeled good. When I got home I was curious so I lit one up I have here and took a drag.
OMG it was horrible, I wanted to spit. I made a weird face at the horrid taste of it - nothing at ALL like the smell it had given off in the street. I even inhaled the smoke of my one, and that tasted horrid too. I put it out after that one puff andjust decided not to be quite so curious again next time lol.
SOmetimes tho I DO feel as if there's something Im not quite getting with vaping - tho I love vaping and use it like a darn pacifier on my USB/AC plug. For me though, usually waiting a few mins, and vaping a lot, makes it pass. I find a really long draw helps. It really mimics the way I used to smoke to relax. And this is from a 1-2 pack a day (mostly 1) 20 years of smoking person.
I also found vaping in the same places, while doing hte same things, I used to smoke ciggies in helped enormously. My subconcious is now almost convinced Im still smoking, because the re-inforcing behaviours are the same as they always were.
I hope I never go back to analogs.

 

[dawgcrazy]

I was cranky, a little photosensitive, and generally despised everyone around me, including my wife. I was coming here by then, so I was reading what folks were putting out and decided I needed something, as I was two angry outbursts from marriage counselling and a pack of camels. I bought some SNUS. It isn't bad tasting. I've dipped before, and this is like candy compared to copenhagen. It isn't very strong, either. But...It. Did. The. Trick. I have 1 or 2 little pouches a day, which is very light usage, and I'm pretty delighted with the results.

If you're like me and have had chemical dependency issues (most of your life), you probably know who you are even if you don't admit it openly, then I'd advise supplementing your vaping early on. And don't let them scare you away from the Camel stuff. It doesn't taste terrible, and it has the additional benefit of being available at most gas stations. That's one of the reasons cigarettes are so damn insidious. As the saying goes, "work the problem, don't let the problem work you."

I've gone on too much. Good luck.

I really need to look into this stuff. I had never heard of it until I read about it here. Actually, until I stumbled upon this thread, I thought people were talking about the Copenhagen type stuff. (that has always been referred to as "snuff" around these parts) I just thought SNUS was a different brand name.

If it will give me what I crave and keep me from killing people, then I'll do it. I HATE smoking analogs. They taste awful, they smell awful, and they're expensive as hell. So, do these come in only 1 strength? And if there are other strengths, what would you recommend for someone who can get by on 1 analog a day?

I have to supplement with something..either analogs or SNUS or the Camel stuff. I wish I didn't, but my body says I do. The Paxil and the Xanax aren't enough to keep me sane without it. I had my first panic attack 2 days ago...not sure if it was because of the lack of all the crap I am so used to having in the analogs or if it would've happened anyway..?

I had been smoke free for almost 4 full days...smoked a few Thursday night and then Friday morning...Friday while I was getting ready for work, I had the panic attack. I don't think the lack of analogs CAUSED me to have the attack, but I think it might've helped contribute to my already f*#(%$ up, stressed out state of being. Perhaps it's time to up my dosages again.

 

[dawgcrazy]

Zoomie made a good point way back in this thread - about liking hte smell of cigarettes - but other people's - when they are lit and smoking away by themselves (or even being smoked). That rang a huge bell with me - and its funny - but that smell doesn't equal the taste of the thing at ALL. I gave uup smoking by accident, not design, after I got my 510, and I smelled one while out the other day (a ciggie) and it smeeled good. When I got home I was curious so I lit one up I have here and took a drag.
OMG it was horrible, I wanted to spit. I made a weird face at the horrid taste of it - nothing at ALL like the smell it had given off in the street. I even inhaled the smoke of my one, and that tasted horrid too. I put it out after that one puff andjust decided not to be quite so curious again next time lol.
SOmetimes tho I DO feel as if there's something Im not quite getting with vaping - tho I love vaping and use it like a darn pacifier on my USB/AC plug. For me though, usually waiting a few mins, and vaping a lot, makes it pass. I find a really long draw helps. It really mimics the way I used to smoke to relax. And this is from a 1-2 pack a day (mostly 1) 20 years of smoking person.
I also found vaping in the same places, while doing hte same things, I used to smoke ciggies in helped enormously. My subconcious is now almost convinced Im still smoking, because the re-inforcing behaviours are the same as they always were.
I hope I never go back to analogs.

I hope you never go back to analogs either!! I'm glad you don't miss "the thing" (whatever it is exactly that we're missing) enough to lite up! Unlike you, I don't like the smell at ALL. Not mine, not anyone else's. I find the smell of it absolutely horrid and did even when I was smoking.

I am vaping pretty much non stop. I do it all of the places I used to smoke: in the car, at the computer, in the bathroom while getting ready, etc. I am mostly satisfied, but I still NEED that 1 analog a day. I have tried waiting it out...I have tried higher nic levels...I've even tired direct inhaling vs. the puff then inhale. Nothing works to get me past the urge.

Maybe it's just my brain though. I am already lacking chemicals that I need, hence the Paxil and Xanax prescriptions...so taking away more chemicals that it's used to is just too much. Nobody wants to see me that irritable and cranky EVER. 8-o I don't think I've ever been as irritated as I was Thursday night, and I don't ever want to be that irritated again.

 

[Clem68W]

I have to supplement with something..either analogs or SNUS or the Camel stuff.

Just to clarify, the 'Camel stuff' I was talking about is the Camel Brand of SNUS. I have no basis for reference, but from what others have stated, it is a lighter potency, highly sweetened American version of SNUS. It has hardly no distinct tobacco flavor to it, so it is like sucking on candy to an extent, which is why many pan it. All I can say is that, as a stop-gap measure, it has worked for me. I'm now more curious about traditional SNUS, but this is working in the meantime.

 

[GarrettW]

Just to clarify, the 'Camel stuff' I was talking about is the Camel Brand of SNUS. I have no basis for reference, but from what others have stated, it is a lighter potency, highly sweetened American version of SNUS. It has hardly no distinct tobacco flavor to it, so it is like sucking on candy to an extent, which is why many pan it. All I can say is that, as a stop-gap measure, it has worked for me. I'm now more curious about traditional SNUS, but this is working in the meantime.

"snus" is actually a word, not an acronym ... so it's perfectly ok to not capitalize it

 

[Clem68W]

Roger! I was unsure about that one.

 

[martha1014]

Taking something like Xanax is more dangerous than smoking a cigarette. This is very addictive and if you just quit it you can have seizures. A doctor gave this to my daughter and she took it for awhile and just quit taking it and had a seizure. I don't think it would bad to have a couple of analgos until you can adjust to vaping. It took me a couple of months to completely quit cigarettes. Once you get them completely out of you system you should do fine. I smoked 3 packs a day for 40 years and there was a period I did not think I would make it but I did. You may want to go up on your nicotine. There are plenty of the SSRI and anti panic meds that are not addicted that will help with the changes in chemistry in your brain.

 

[Iammoonie]

i guess ill cross that bridge when i get there

 

[Wackinya]

This is Day 5 of vaping for me, and I am down under a half pack a day. There are just certain points of the day like after meals, or when leaving the house the first time of the day, or even just before bed, that I really crave an analog. For me its not a big deal, as being under half a pack is a great improvment. I think part of my problem may be that i went too weak on the nic content in my initial order but hope to remedey this with some liquid I should be getting in a day or two. Keep at it. Smoking less is never a bad thing. Don't punish yourself by thinking your still smoking, reward yourself for the less that you are.

 

[Jumbophant]

I'd say that this addiction is mostly just mental. When you have been smoking habitually for years it is hard to convince yourself that you don't need it. I first started vaping in July and only lasted a week or so without a cigarette the first time around. I was in the process of moving from an apartment to a house and I was very stressed and fell back into the habit.

Since the introduction of the new fire safe cigarettes, I have been forced to quit because I am allergic to the glue that they use to attach the "speed bumps" to the cigarettes that make them go out. I get sores in my throat and they taste terrible.

Since I was forced to quit smoking cigarettes I have returned to the e cig and I don't even miss cigarettes. I think that since I don't have the option of smoking analogs anymore quitting has been much much easier. If you can just convince yourself that smoking analogs is killing you (like it is) then switching becomes much easier!

Not sure if that helps but I wish you luck in the transition!

P.S. Cola flavor liquid has made it much easier too since cola is one of my favorite things in the world its nice to have cola flavored vapor =P

 

[booboo]

The trick is not buying any analogs...if you don't have them, you are forced to rely on the pv, and it is so much better than no cigarette at all, that your mind readjusts to crave the replacement instead. There is no way I would have made it 13 months without an analog if I had them laying around the house or let myself do both--it's simply too easy to fall back into. However, I can sit with the smokers every break at work and am perfectly content with my vape. I see so many people trying to wean themseles off and doing half and half and they fail to make the switch. I did that the first time, 2 years ago myself. But the second time, I just didn't buy cigs and only had a big stock of pv supplies in the house, and it was such a relief to have them to turn to instead of cold turkey panic, that it was relatively easy to not look back. Cigarettes are the devil, if you let yourself "cheat" once, you always will....I am so scared of getting sucked in again by them, I wouldn't even allow myself one drag just to see if I hate it after all this time on the pv.

 

[jagsfanrick]

I'd say that this addiction is mostly just mental. When you have been smoking habitually for years it is hard to convince yourself that you don't need it. I first started vaping in July and only lasted a week or so without a cigarette the first time around. I was in the process of moving from an apartment to a house and I was very stressed and fell back into the habit.

Since the introduction of the new fire safe cigarettes, I have been forced to quit because I am allergic to the glue that they use to attach the "speed bumps" to the cigarettes that make them go out. I get sores in my throat and they taste terrible.

Since I was forced to quit smoking cigarettes I have returned to the e cig and I don't even miss cigarettes. I think that since I don't have the option of smoking analogs anymore quitting has been much much easier. If you can just convince yourself that smoking analogs is killing you (like it is) then switching becomes much easier!

Not sure if that helps but I wish you luck in the transition!

P.S. Cola flavor liquid has made it much easier too since cola is one of my favorite things in the world its nice to have cola flavored vapor =P

I understand. They are harsher now and make you continue to puff or it goes out. It is very annoying.