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

[zoomie61]

absolutely sherid! It's that smell and smoke you love to hate. There's nothing that compares. I gave up drinking 3 years ago and never looked back. Even the smell of it doesn't appeal to me except for beer on a hot day....now that rocks. But, I still don't have one just because I like the smell. Cigs on the other hand, that's a different story. Geez.

 

[zoomie61]

anyone found a "true" tobacco tasting juice? I've tried flu cured, Virginia, and Joye tobacco and so far the Joye is the best but I know there's better out there. I do love the RY-4. That's my vape of choice but I'm wondering about that big skanky tobacco taste...

 

[zoomie61]

Geez...I just picked up my BIC pen by accident to vape on it! hahahahaha

 

[olderthandirt]

hey zoomie
Have you looked through the Nicotine and Smokeless Tobacco forums yet?

 

[zoomie61]

This is such a great thread I'm trying to bump it back to the top for any new people. =] ......

 

[sundance]

I am 100% with ya guys! I am absolutely, one-thousand percent addicted to vaping. I will not leave it no matter what. Yes,, however,, those old smelly, dirty,, dog turds still beckon me. I still feel the need to take a few puffs every now and then through the day. Funny thing is, I don't really enjoy it, but still feel the need to. Frustrated as hell. No, I never expected to start vaping and give the others up right away. It's odd, I started vaping, actually prefer it now, but again,,, that smoke still brings me out to the cold and rain.

I watched a review by "TropicalBob" and he mentioned somthing in there that really caught my ear. He seems to really know what's going on with this stuff. I like to think of him as the "Andy Rooney" of e-smoking, er' vaping. He mentioned some chemicals in tobacco smokes that trigger the brain to release certain pleasure stimulants into the body. I'm going to ask him to look into, and comment on this thread. Hope to see something from him soon!

Sundance,
Dana Point, CA

 

[Arvidx]

I can totally understand the want to still have actual smoke around and want to make the point to people feeling bad for still smoking some analogs, its a matter of the direction you are traveling not where you are at. Keep reducing keep struggling the urge passes slowly but surely more and more each week. And seriously a couple cigs here and there I don't find as harmful when its not renewing a habit. Its different than just dropping smoking and then picking up a cig... that's like dropping a match in dry brush. We Vapers really haven't stopped our addiction, we are changing it for a healthier method of delivery. And 3 cigs vs 2 packs.... That's a lot healthier. While I had a helper in smoking other burnable plants from time to time often to actually satisfy my cig need as much as for other pleasurable means, I did find that having a go to momentary booster nic juice helped a lot. I started on 24mg and stopped smoking for the most part immediately. After a few weeks especially during stress, that normal day to day level just didn't cut it. While unoccupied I can vape non stop all day practically or sometimes now i forget to vape till mid day... it is very different from cigs in that way. But what i found worked for me when I really wanted one of those cancer sticks, I keep around a 36 and 48 mg juice. My average mg/ml juice over the last 3 months has dropped from 24 to around 12 now but when that urge strikes... I hit 3 drops of 48. Something in that massive jump of intake just chases that urge away. I think that is one of the differences I found from other advise about raising nicotine. With a cig if you chain a couple cigs its way more effective at giving you a spike in levels than even chaining a PV all day. By spiking that Nic, I found it was much more effective and allowed me to keep reducing my average intake the rest of the time. I think that vaping has a much milder way of maintaining nic levels in the system and lacks that shotgun to the brain that a cig(s) would provide. While it may not work for all it might be worth a try. I use/d a flavor that was a little harsher than my normal vapes as well. It replaces some of the abusive quality of a cigarette that is missing from this smooth and easy experience provided by the PV's.
Well there's my 2c on the matter hope it helps someone out there.

btw I am not advocating switching to something like 48mg juice all the time that may be dangerous or if you can handle it it would probably be counterproductive really. The point is to get a kick again like the analogs once provided and that only happens when in contrast to what is normally being taken in.

 

[Mickirette]

I haven't had a Marlboro since I got my PV kit, I am afraid if I smoke one I will smoke a pack. I would like to know what is a dangerous nic level. Micki

 

[AlexTM]

… While I had a helper in smoking other burnable plants from time to time often to actually satisfy my cig need as much as for other pleasurable means, I did find that having a go to momentary booster nic juice helped a lot. …

Leaving other aspects aside (forum rules and all that), inhaling burned plant material is inhaling burned plant material. There is little to no difference between inhaling tobacco, other smokeables, or even plant material from lousy cooking facilities.

 

[Andromeadae]

Well I still had some analogs when my pv arrived, so I/we smoked them until they were gone. That was last Sunday. I still have cravings, mostly after eating, but I have found for me anyway, that using the pv will eliminate that craving.

I agree that it is up to the individual to decide to be happy with cutting out all analogs completely or if cutting down to a few a day is right for them. In other words: be happy with whatever amount of quitting you have acheived, its got to be better for you, then analogging 1 or 2 packs a day, right??

In the past I have met with ex smokers that had been ex smokers for 20+ yrs and still claimed to have cravings. I pretty much assume, I will always have some cravings, and for me as long as the pv takes care of them for the moment, I can deal. I also know that if there are analogs in my possession, I will smoke them. So for me, having an emergency pack laying around, will not help me

One other thing that may help some of you, is the financial rewards of quitting analogs. For example, if you were spending $200 a month on analogs, and now you are spending $50 on pv supplies, maybe taking that average of $150 a month saved and spending it on something you always wanted to do or try, will also be a motivating factor. I know it is for me.

Happy Vaping

 

[olderthandirt]

...
I watched a review by "TropicalBob" and he mentioned somthing in there that really caught my ear. He seems to really know what's going on with this stuff. I like to think of him as the "Andy Rooney" of e-smoking, er' vaping. He mentioned some chemicals in tobacco smokes that trigger the brain to release certain pleasure stimulants into the body. I'm going to ask him to look into, and comment on this thread. Hope to see something from him soon!

Sundance,
Dana Point, CA

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...-know-about-vaping-vs-analogs.html#comment788http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...g-i-think-i-know-about-vaping-vs-analogs.html
Welcome to ECF!!

 

[Hoosier]

Wow, I haven't been at vaping that long, but I know I still have the analog cravings. I cave once in awhile. The first week I smoked a pack. The first 2 days of my second week it was 3 analogs and one today.

Upping the nicotine level has helped tremendously. Mornings and after dinner are the worst. I have been strongly considering going higher than 24 at those times, but haven't yet.

I remember once driving down the road and looking at my hand and wondering why I had an analog burning. Don't remember lighting it, or even getting it out of the backseat.

Yes, there might be other chemicals that are addicting in those analogs, or it may be the habit itself. Just being so used to doing one thing that it seems unsettling to not do it.

I smoked for over 25 years, but even after just a week I notice that I cough less. It's a good start. Keep going and it should get better.

(Yeah, the posts saying that they never had a craving for an analog from the point that they started vaping are kind of discouraging to me too. Dang, wish it could be that way for me... but I am happy that some folks are having an easier time.)

 

[JKBonin]

I've been vaping for 4 months now and have gone from 2 packs a day to 3 or 4 real cigs a day. For me this is miraculous but why do I still want the analog? It drives me nuts! In the morning and driving. That's it. Anybody else out there feel the same? I'd be interested to know. I've smoked for 33 years so it's been a long frustrating smelly road until now.....

I hope this helps. The AM, driving & bedtime were the worst for me. Now for me, upping my nic to 36mg helped ALOT. I know it's been mentioned, just wanted to be clear where I am/was. But nic wasn't the only thing doing it.

I realized I didn't like taking 6,7, or 8sec drags in the truck. Can't explain why, it just is. (or was) I realized I needed something that would give me the vapor I wanted, as well as the th... but with an analog-like 2,3, or 4sec drag. I found the right Mod.

You need to seriously consider a battery mod. I was in your exact situation until I ordered mine. First I tried a 510, then a 401. They both worked great, but like you something was still missing. Then I ordered a Protege. It's not one of the heavy duty mods, but that with Puresmoker's 36mg special blend juice did the trick. The protege delivers the throat hit and flavor I was looking for. Check them out - you will not be disappointed. If you're serious about quitting you need to look at the higher end models.

For me, this is what worked. I researched a ton and went with the Silver Bullet from Altsmoke. Worked to perfection. A 3sec analog-like drag gives me massive vapor & great th. Spent 8hrs in the truck today and not 1 analog craving. I'm not pushing their product, just telling you I felt exactly the same as you stated in your op, and these 2 things are what worked for me.

By the way, there's so much vapor from this wonderful Mod, I can no longer vape 36mg. I'm @ 12 mostly, mixing in some 18 when the need arises.

Give it a shot man. I believe we owe it to ourselves to exhaust every other reasonable option before going back to those nasty azz analogs.

 

[Arvidx]

While I have been far from perfect, the way I view it I have gotten way too many benefits to ever go back. No smokes in over a month yet I know if i smoke one, I just don't have any need any more to replace the vape with smoke anyways. Within a few days my lungs started thanking me and being able to take that full solid breath filling my lungs like I have not been able to do in years, thats enough motivation.

Sitting by a campfire ain't good for you either but it ain't gonna kill you. I don't think you need to be afraid of a cig, just know how much better it is without killing yourself with them every day. Each person needs their own justification, faces their own battles and fears their own fight, but dont let that own you. The truth is there and each of us knows it. These devices can save our lives and thats all there is to it.

After the first month, having an analog was an eye opener. It still satisfied something but at the same time i realized just how nasty they were again. I felt like i was 11 years old again sneaking my first smoke realizing just how nasty they tasted wondering how people could stand them. Thats when i knew I am not a smoker any more, I still love my nicotine and the rewarding experiences that come with the practice of smoking, but now i just get them in a far superior manner.

People ask sometimes if I just use "that thing" to stop smoking... No. I can't say that I have. Not in a way they understand. It's not like a quit smoking patch or something where eventually it matters that you are "clean" and its a failure to "slip up." I just decided to find a healthier way to get essentially the same rewards. It really is having your cake and eating it too.

 

[JLS24]

I enjoy my e-cig at home basically just to feel better and not smoke inside. I still smoke tobacco at work and in the car. Since the e-cig doesn't burn out, I'm constantly hitting it and the batteries just don't last long enough to go all day at work.

 

[warped911]

Ive tried to quit about 10 times.. Ive always had that extra urge for a real smoke. Just seems like pure habit.. you do somthing for so long it becomes harder then hell to live without doing that 1 thing.
just like breathing air. you stop doing it your body/mind tell you you need to do it.
but unlike air we wont die if we stop smoking. but our brain doesnt see it that way. i know when i tried to quit with the patch i found my self sctrating at the walls* in need of a smoke i felt like a crackhead needing my fix. Thanks for the ecig when i need a smoke. i just puff on it till i no longer need a smoke..
yea sometimes i still crave a real smoke.. but only after the first week of vapin the taste of a Marb is just repulsive

 

[jj2]

I can't say the craving ever goes away. Well not really a craving but a subconscious yearning to retrieve what my brain remembers as a pleasureable moment.
I'm working on my year anniversary and I still have subconscious yearnful moments. Just the other day, I'd just finished eating and had an urge to go have an analog.
I almost got out of the friggin chair to go do it before I realized what I was doing.
That's when I bring up the memory of my last attempt at smoking. It tasted awful, I couphed my head off, and so forth. I reached for my Mod and vaped.

 

[I B BOB]

First off, 1 or 2 smokes a day is better than 1 or 2 packs a day. I smoked mrlbo reds most of my life only the last few years smoked menthols. I still craved cigs at the start too, but disenchanted with regular tobacco flavors for PV's I got some menthol crystals and some VG from walmart and boosted the taste and vapor. Longer and deeper slower hits of lot's of vapor from my 510 even with the reduced nic level by adding VG did it for me. I can't stand the taste of a real cig now. Inhaling from the lungs also helped rather than drawing into your mouth and then inhaling. I couldn't do that with straight PG juice at first, without coughing. I do recomend getting some high nic unflavored and mixing your own juice, the possibilities are endless.

 

[Jules22871]

I apologize for not reading all the posts in this thread. I've been awake since early yesterday (forgot to take my med for sleeping last night) and my attention span is lacking at the moment. I also apologize if this has already been mentioned.

I think the hardest cigarettes to get rid of the ritual ones. I had the hardest time getting off the last three cigarettes a day that I was still smoking. One when I woke up, one after supper and one last one before I went to sleep. I normally couldn't vape anything higher than about 22mg as it would give me a terrible headache but found that I could vape a couple of drops of 36mg and was finally able to get rid of those last three cigarettes one at a time. I also didnt beat myself up over those three since I'd been smoking for 32 years and had been smoking two packs a day for more years than I can remember. It took about 2 weeks to finally stop all three but it was worth it.

Hang in there, you can do this if you really want to. Sometimes it just takes a little time like it did for me.

 

[dawgcrazy]

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.