Vaping satisfaction vs. smoking

[cfm78910]

Hi Guys

When I smoked satisfying the nicotine cravings was quick and simple, a stinky every 60 - 90 minutes did the trick. A quick 7 - 10 minute smoke break and I was sorted. However, I find with vaping I have to vape much longer before the cravings go away. A nice, 20 minute vaping session is ideal but then I can't always break every hour for 20 minutes..... I understand vaping delivers less nicotine slower than a stinky and I don't have an issue with that, I enjoy vaping WAY more than I ever did smoking, I can't see myself ever stop. It would be interesting to hear how others experienced and handled this. I'm fairly new at this (it will be 2 months on the 08th of November) and to hear from you would be nice.

Cheers.

Chris

 

[LobsterTacos]

I think it can vary from person to person, and can depend on the setup as well. I seem to be a little more sensitive to nicotine (which is why I'm down around 3mg), so a few puffs can satisfy when I get a craving. When I smoked tar sticks, I'd inevitably feel the need to power through the entire thing for satisfaction (then I'd feel like crap after).

Alternatively, the craving increments didn't seem to change at first, until I gradually lowered my nicotine intake. I used to vape about as often as I smoked when I started around 18-25mg, but now that I'm down to 3-6mg, I can go a full day without vaping. Sure I get cravings here and there (especially when stress is high on the work site), but I can get through them exponentially easier even without having a vape.

I've been vaping for about a year-and-a-half now, but found the craving/level changes after about 4 months.

 

[yoitstj]

If I have 5 minutes to get my nic fix Im gonna vape 9 - 12 mg. However I do not enjoy that. I like to vape casually throughout the day. Take a couple hits every few minutes. Im able to do this at work currently. In the future who knows.

 

[singalong]

I enjoy vaping way more than smoking as well. I quit smoking a month and a half ago. I wasn't a big smoker (about 10 cigs/day) but I find that using a higher nicotine concentration makes me feel more satisfied. I currently vape at 18mg and a 10 minute vape satisfies me as much as a cigarette break. Going down to 12mg makes me want to vape for hours so I stick to a higher nic level for now. The throat hit is also stronger at 18mg.
What nic level are you using at the moment? And have you found your all day vape yet?

 

[Bored2Tears]

I went through similar withdrawl symptoms and have come to the conclusion that I was withdrawing from other unknown substances that are in cigarettes. I was practically chain vaping all day, and it did work but I could sense withdraw still. Since I was delivering at least the same amount of nicotine, it must have been something else I was craving.

That's not scientific evidence, just my experience and belief. YMMV. I think that my cravings for the other toxins is starting to subside. I also started rebuilding my own coils to get a bit better vape and I think that has helped. Not sure if you're using starter equipment but it took me a couple weeks to finally break down and see if there's that much difference in the gear. There is, without a doubt.

I decided not to even try and research all the reasons why I was withdrawing even though I was vaping heavily. At the end of the day, I just had to get comfortable with the fact that if i was committed to quitting cigarettes I would have to soldier through and it would get better. It has gotten better gradually. I think the problem was that I had an unrealistic expectation that I wouldn't go through any withdrawl symptoms at all....and that just wasn't my experience. Now I am ok with it. My withdrawl was manageable with vaping.

Hope it gets better for you and I think you will find that it does.

 

[DaveP]

Maybe you'd be better served by 24mg to 36mg nic for those times when you only have a few minutes to get your nicotine. Everything I've read says that nic absorption takes longer from vaping than from inhaling tobacco smoke. Cigarette smoke consists of microscopic particles of nic and tar coated ash (products of combustion). Those tiny particles can penetrate deeply into the lungs and reach the air sacs where gas exchange takes place.

Vapor is said not to penetrate that deeply. It's a mist of water based droplets and most of those contact and cling to the bronchial tubes. Not much of the nic actually gets to the air sacs (alveoli), so you don't get much of the nic through the lungs. Most of the nic is absorbed through the mucous membranes in the mouth, throat, and sinuses. That makes absorption take much longer since it reaches the blood more slowly, so we are constantly vaping and adding nic to our system a little at a time to keep up with demand.

I'd keep two strengths of juice around ... one for work and one for home and leisure time. You can order it in the two strengths you need or you can order something like 36mg or 24mg and 0mg strengths of the same juices. Mix the high nic with the zero nic to make your home strength and vape the high nic stuff at work.

 

[cfm78910]

I vape at 18mg, anything less just doesn't do it for me at this point. I like tobacco flavours best but I found a peach liquid that is actually really nice and gives a better throat hit. I can vape that for a tank or two but always find myself going back to tobacco flavours.

 

[cfm78910]

I went through similar withdrawl symptoms and have come to the conclusion that I was withdrawing from other unknown substances that are in cigarettes. I was practically chain vaping all day, and it did work but I could sense withdraw still. Since I was delivering at least the same amount of nicotine, it must have been something else I was craving.

That's not scientific evidence, just my experience and belief. YMMV. I think that my cravings for the other toxins is starting to subside. I also started rebuilding my own coils to get a bit better vape and I think that has helped. Not sure if you're using starter equipment but it took me a couple weeks to finally break down and see if there's that much difference in the gear. There is, without a doubt.

I decided not to even try and research all the reasons why I was withdrawing even though I was vaping heavily. At the end of the day, I just had to get comfortable with the fact that if i was committed to quitting cigarettes I would have to soldier through and it would get better. It has gotten better gradually. I think the problem was that I had an unrealistic expectation that I wouldn't go through any withdrawl symptoms at all....and that just wasn't my experience. Now I am ok with it. My withdrawl was manageable with vaping.

Hope it gets better for you and I think you will find that it does.

I started off with a Twisp (don't know if you have it there but it is a 2nd generation device) then an Ovale eCom. Both were OK for a very short time but the satisfaction just wasn't there. I upgraded to a SMOK BEC Pro about 10 days ago and the difference is night and day. Fantastic vapour, great flavour and proper satisfaction, if I'm at it long enough. Every draw is just perfect. Couldn't agree with you more that there are huge differences in the gear.

 

[cfm78910]

Maybe you'd be better served by 24mg to 36mg nic for those times when you only have a few minutes to get your nicotine. Everything I've read says that nic absorption takes longer from vaping than from inhaling tobacco smoke. Cigarette smoke consists of microscopic particles of nic and tar coated ash (products of combustion). Those tiny particles can penetrate deeply into the lungs and reach the air sacs where gas exchange takes place.

Vapor is said not to penetrate that deeply. It's a mist of water based droplets and most of those contact and cling to the bronchial tubes. Not much of the nic actually gets to the air sacs (alveoli), so you don't get much of the nic through the lungs. Most of the nic is absorbed through the mucous membranes in the mouth, throat, and sinuses. That makes absorption take much longer since it reaches the blood more slowly, so we are constantly vaping and adding nic to our system a little at a time to keep up with demand.

I'd keep two strengths of juice around ... one for work and one for home and leisure time. You can order it in the two strengths you need or you can order something like 36mg or 24mg and 0mg strengths of the same juices. Mix the high nic with the zero nic to make your home strength and vape the high nic stuff at work.

I vape 18mg liquid, you won't believe it but here in SA that is the highest I've seen. I know of 1 online vendor that also does 24mg. However, I find that I'm usually OK with 18mg, if I need a stronger vape I turn up the watts on my SMOK to around 15. 12W is usually OK most of the time. I'm still adjusting to my new life as a vaper and I'm battling a bit to get comfortable with the idea of vaping more than I smoked. Silly, I know. What I did notice and some mentioned it in their replies is that it is better to vape more (a few puffs at a time) throughout the day. I find that keeps the cravings under control. So much to learn but what a fantastic place this forum is! I have never experienced anything like this. Wish I could meet some of you in person, you feel like family!

 

[MrsMac]

I started with 24mg for the first 2 weeks. It worked great initially to get over the hardcore cravings, but then I started getting headaches. I decided that was due to too many mgs. I'm down to 18mg now and I'm mostly satisfied.

 

[Shirtbloke]

I read a scientific paper a while back that said that to get the same amount of nicotine as you would get from one cigarette you would have to vape at 18mg for 35 minutes.

 

[MrsMac]

I read a scientific paper a while back that said that to get the same amount of nicotine as you would get from one cigarette you would have to vape at 18mg for 35 minutes.

I'd say this is probably pretty accurate based on my experience of how often I vape. 24mg satisfies the craving quicker and I vape significantly less, but it gives me headaches and heart burn lol

 

[Jdurand]

18mg is too little in my opinion to break the analog habit for all but very light smokers. Good quality juice makes all the difference in the world as well. If you're like me at all, the cigalike type e-cigs may not deliver the punch you need quick enough. Also a good mod makes the difference from replacing your old cigs and taking up a new hobby.

 

[wonner]

For me, there is no vaping option available that is as satisfying and convenient as a cigarette.

I enjoy vaping and my wife loves that I am vaping instead of smoking, but...

if cigarettes were a dollar a pack, I would go back to smoking with no regrets whatsoever.

 

[bluecat]

There are other things in cigarette that give us that satisfaction. I found WTA helped me get by that hump without going to high nic (the high nic didn't really solve it).

WTA is Whole Tobacco Alkaloids

It is worth it to buy a bottle for 10 or so and see if it helps. In my case, I only needed it for a month.

 

[Robino1]

Here is an interesting link: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...ette-vs-e-cigarette-nicotine-equivalency.html

In that forum, there are many interesting threads that you might like to read.

 

[TyPie]

I think it can vary from person to person, and can depend on the setup as well. I seem to be a little more sensitive to nicotine (which is why I'm down around 3mg), so a few puffs can satisfy when I get a craving. When I smoked tar sticks, I'd inevitably feel the need to power through the entire thing for satisfaction (then I'd feel like crap after).

Alternatively, the craving increments didn't seem to change at first, until I gradually lowered my nicotine intake. I used to vape about as often as I smoked when I started around 18-25mg, but now that I'm down to 3-6mg, I can go a full day without vaping. Sure I get cravings here and there (especially when stress is high on the work site), but I can get through them exponentially easier even without having a vape.

I've been vaping for about a year-and-a-half now, but found the craving/level changes after about 4 months.

This has been my experience exactly, to the 'T'. Others have said it here also, that the addiction (withdrawal) from substances in cigarettes than just nicotine is what makes quitting cigarettes so difficult. After the first months of vaping, I was STUNNED at how easy it was to reduce the nic levels. I can easily go all day without a vape. (But I don't really WANT to. )

 

[Jdurand]

Blucat is right, I forgot to mention that about the WTA. It has, and still does, help my wife and I out to this day. We tend to mix it into our fluids less and less now though. It was a huge help at first.

 

[TonyD64]

It takes me about nine puffs off my e cig to get the same feeling as two, three puffs off an analog. Hopefully yhat changes when I buy the battery and tank I'm looking at.

 

[DrMA]

Hi Guys

When I smoked satisfying the nicotine cravings was quick and simple, a stinky every 60 - 90 minutes did the trick. A quick 7 - 10 minute smoke break and I was sorted. However, I find with vaping I have to vape much longer before the cravings go away. A nice, 20 minute vaping session is ideal but then I can't always break every hour for 20 minutes..... I understand vaping delivers less nicotine slower than a stinky and I don't have an issue with that, I enjoy vaping WAY more than I ever did smoking, I can't see myself ever stop. It would be interesting to hear how others experienced and handled this. I'm fairly new at this (it will be 2 months on the 08th of November) and to hear from you would be nice.

Cheers.

Chris

I feel your frustration, Chris. I too went thru the same struggle for years, partly because of the misguided meme from the forums that vapers should be striving to gradually reduce the nic content of their juice. Then, I read Dr. F's publication on nicotine absorption: Nicotine absorption from electronic cigarette use: comparison between first and new generation devices.

I immediately started experimenting with higher nic levels and, after sampling juices from 12 to 48 mg/mL, I finally settled on vaping 24 mg as a good compromise. After 2 years of low- and lower-nic vaping, I've been using 24 mg for a few months now and noticed significant benefits in terms of focus, well-being, and reduced cravings. Also, I no longer need to chain vape 24/7, and end up being satisfied after short vaping sessions. Also, my juice consumption went down from 8-10 mL/day (@12 mg nic) to 2-3 mL/day (@24 mg).