i'd agree with the others and say double your nic level to 12. you dont want to go too much more than that, otherwise you can't chain vape alot. when you first start out, the best way is to use it like a pacifier pretty much. if you try doing that with 18, you will feel it in your head and your stomach.
Withdrawal from cigarettes to vaping
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LOL when I first started the lady at the vape shop recommended 18mg, so that's what I bought. I started getting headaches and just didn't feel right. She recommended 18 because I told her I smoked about 1-1/2 pks a day. I dropped to 12mg and was fine. I'm down to 6mg now because I upgraded to higher wattage devices, but I still use my lower watt device and run 6mg thru it too.
I thought it was odd that the recommendations are based on how many cigs rather than the strength of the cigs - I think those who smoke full flavor should use higher mg and those who smoke lights or ultra lights should use lower mg. That's how it seemed to work for me anyway.
Am with you, KattMamma. When I tried looking up what amount of nic was in my cheap, ultra light cigs I'd been smoking 2+ PAD for years, I couldn't find the info. So, being they were ultra lights, I started at 9mg on an MVP and a ProTank. Got ready for at least some kind of withdrawal at which time I'd just have a cig. since my intention WASN'T to quit.....merely to use as an adjunct to smoking. Amazed and delighted that never happened!
So, a combination of low nic in cigs and better vaping equipment for delivery of vaping nic may very well be the reason I could quit so easily a 53 yr habit. Probably wouldn't have happened near as easy if I still was smoking what I started smoking in the early 1960's.....Winstons and Marlboros.
So, a combination of low nic in cigs and better vaping equipment for delivery of vaping nic may very well be the reason I could quit so easily a 53 yr habit. Probably wouldn't have happened near as easy if I still was smoking what I started smoking in the early 1960's.....Winstons and Marlboros.
Are you drinking anything with caffeine? If so, cut back. That was an issue for me. It seems to have a stronger effect when cutting out cigs. So now I drink real coffee early and switch to decaf (and decaf iced tea) in the afternoon.
Six weeks vaping, about five without a cig. Tried vaping a couple times before, but didn't take until this time around. The gear is just so much better than it was 4-5 years ago. One thing I felt on my previous attempts and now is (and this of course is my experience, YMMV):
Vaping will not catch up to your mic cravings. Don't wait until you're jonesing to vape. Especially in the first few weeks. Stay ahead of the cravings. Find a flavor and setting that you like and make sure it is always within reach.
A couple other things to consider:
-Take advantage of the fact you can vape where you couldn't smoke (if that's the case for you).
-Vape in those little moments when a cig didn't make sense (between the car/bus/train and the door, or walking out of one shop into another). Just a little hit here and there will be keeping you mic levels up there and fending off the beast.
-Take a Vape Break, like you would have a smoke break. This sounds a little contradictory to the above, but it's more complimentary. If you used to go outside for a smoke at work, go outside for a Vape. It might be handy in satisfying that behavior part of the habit. I was using a Naut Mini as my pacifier, and a subO setup for my breaks.
Even then, it may not cure all cravings, because like others said, there is more than just nicotine in cigarettes (and all tobacco). For me, the success came with forming a new habit, Vaping to replace my old habit of smoking. In a week or so, the cravings became what i described as longer or deeper, but less acute. Now, a bit more than a month later, I still miss that little buzz with the first cig of the day, but have found juice/gear combos that keep me amused and distracted enough that that little feeling of emptiness and longing passes.
Finally, as mentioned earlier, Snus might help. There are other psychoactive alkaloids in tobacco that are not in e-juice, not even the Naturally Extracted Tobaccos. Some folks are able to walk away from cigs with the nic replacement of patches, gum or e cigs. Some folks have a greater need for those other components. Snus has those other bits and has proved quite useful in curbing smoking in Sweden. There are also a couple of vendors for WTA, or Whole Tobacco Alkanoid e juice. It's pricier, but it some people seems mighty impressed by it. I have not tried it, but I am considering it, because I have heard it has the calming effect of smoking.
Vaping will not catch up to your mic cravings. Don't wait until you're jonesing to vape. Especially in the first few weeks. Stay ahead of the cravings. Find a flavor and setting that you like and make sure it is always within reach.
A couple other things to consider:
-Take advantage of the fact you can vape where you couldn't smoke (if that's the case for you).
-Vape in those little moments when a cig didn't make sense (between the car/bus/train and the door, or walking out of one shop into another). Just a little hit here and there will be keeping you mic levels up there and fending off the beast.
-Take a Vape Break, like you would have a smoke break. This sounds a little contradictory to the above, but it's more complimentary. If you used to go outside for a smoke at work, go outside for a Vape. It might be handy in satisfying that behavior part of the habit. I was using a Naut Mini as my pacifier, and a subO setup for my breaks.
Even then, it may not cure all cravings, because like others said, there is more than just nicotine in cigarettes (and all tobacco). For me, the success came with forming a new habit, Vaping to replace my old habit of smoking. In a week or so, the cravings became what i described as longer or deeper, but less acute. Now, a bit more than a month later, I still miss that little buzz with the first cig of the day, but have found juice/gear combos that keep me amused and distracted enough that that little feeling of emptiness and longing passes.
Finally, as mentioned earlier, Snus might help. There are other psychoactive alkaloids in tobacco that are not in e-juice, not even the Naturally Extracted Tobaccos. Some folks are able to walk away from cigs with the nic replacement of patches, gum or e cigs. Some folks have a greater need for those other components. Snus has those other bits and has proved quite useful in curbing smoking in Sweden. There are also a couple of vendors for WTA, or Whole Tobacco Alkanoid e juice. It's pricier, but it some people seems mighty impressed by it. I have not tried it, but I am considering it, because I have heard it has the calming effect of smoking.
thank you guys so much I'm going to give it a couple more days before I up the nicotine. I hope its just all the other crap in cigarettes that my body is getting rid of and it will get better soon. But I'm sure I'll have a million more questions the more I vape
I was a pack a day Marlboro Lights and started with 18mg that was a little too strong so I dropped to 12mg and a year later I use 6mg, I think the 12 satisfied the initial transition from cigs.
I smoked between 5-10 Marlboro Blue (Mild Menthol) cig's a day from Monday to Thursday. Friday I would smoke a whole pack due to going to parties and drinking (usually 6 high gravity beers and 2-4 lowballs of whiskey). When I first started vaping, I too, like some others in this thread, would vape almost constantly, basically a 15ml bottle a day. Now, I vape on my way to work, on breaks, after meals, after a stressful situation, and of course, when I drink. I've found that after a month, I only vape half a 6mg nic 10ml bottle, which I dilute with about 1.5ml of VG.
My only real trigger now is when I drink, like many people with addictive personalities. After beer number 6 I instinctively reach for where I used to keep my old cigarette tin, and I find my vape case there instead. If I stopped drinking on the weekends I probably wouldn't even reach for my old tin...
It's a fight, but it's worth it. Some of my friends still smoke cigs, and I never realized how freaking bad they smelled until I quit >.<
Now the vape crowd hangs with their own, and the cig smokers (a quickly dwindling crowd) do their thing. Out of the 20 or so of our group, now 15 are vaping instead of smoking, which is quite an amazing thing to see. I quit smoking cig's cold turkey once a friend got me into vaping, only 5 or so more people to go and we will all be vapers ^.^
My only real trigger now is when I drink, like many people with addictive personalities. After beer number 6 I instinctively reach for where I used to keep my old cigarette tin, and I find my vape case there instead. If I stopped drinking on the weekends I probably wouldn't even reach for my old tin...
It's a fight, but it's worth it. Some of my friends still smoke cigs, and I never realized how freaking bad they smelled until I quit >.<
Now the vape crowd hangs with their own, and the cig smokers (a quickly dwindling crowd) do their thing. Out of the 20 or so of our group, now 15 are vaping instead of smoking, which is quite an amazing thing to see. I quit smoking cig's cold turkey once a friend got me into vaping, only 5 or so more people to go and we will all be vapers ^.^
AFTER beer number 6??? Number is right! You MUST be numb by then ;-)
I found that the 4th or 5th day after quitting smokes was the toughest. No amount of nicotine will quash the withdrawal from the other chemicals that you are now lacking. Then things slowly got better, and after a few weeks I wasn't craving cigs too much. Just my experience. As far as nic level, I would suggest whatever it takes to make you comfortable, without getting nic OD symptoms like nausea or headaches. If you are at 6mg now, but it's not working, then you might consider trying 9mg or 12mg, whatever is available. if that is too strong your body will tell you. So a little trial and error is in order. The guidelines are just that- a starting point to then experiment with until you find your comfort zone.
Good luck! The important thing is to not relapse.
Good luck! The important thing is to not relapse.
Like Matrix, it took me a few months to go completely off. I only smoked 3-4 cigarettes so was a light smoker too. When starting vaping, I still used to have a couple of puffs every few days. Mostly I couldn't stand the taste of it anymore and I haven't had a cigarette in more than a year. It works believe me!
I was a PAD smoker, too. Started out with 24 mg nic. Your nic level of 6 mg is way too low. Crank up your nic level, hon. You can lower it later on down the line, if you want to.
I got depressed due to the withdrawal too, now sub-ohm-ing with a 15mg/ml, no more . The cigarette to e-cig gap is quite okay but when I vape less, the withdrawal is really unforgiving.
. The cigarette to e-cig gap is quite okay but when I vape less, the withdrawal is really unforgiving.
They say the smell is bad for people who stopped because we never smelt it before..
As for the post at hand.. i just got a vape kit with my wife.. she is fairing far worse than I am but I have a job where I can vape all day if I wanted.. so i am trying to look into better options for her.. and I want to make big puffs of smoke..
BTW 1st post.
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Powering-up your vapes would certainly help the nic intake and reduce withdrawal (you'll be getting more nic in fact). Vaping at .7 with a 3mg/ml high VG is actually hard enough on the nicotine intake, just that it'll be costly (cheaper than anologues) unless you're on DIY.
Pack a day here and started with 24. Down to 18 now. No withdrawals... Only habitual in the morning and night. I find myself quite sensitive to caffeine now though.
I prepped via guidance with everything ready to go. Had my last cig that night. Next morning I vaped. I had purchased my juice from a local vendor. It was 36mg. What was important to me was to get confidence that I would get my nic. I did. I went by urges, keeping the APV just out of my sight.
It worked. One or three draws lasted an hour or so. I figured I was getting plenty so I went and got 24mg juice. That was better. I found that my taste buds didn't work and was told that they were damaged from smoking and that it would take awhile to get taste back. So flavors weren't important at first.
I lowered my nic in a couple of months to 18mgand stayed there. I just bought my 2nd batch of 6mg. I am taking my time...why be in such a rush. I do have to say that I like 12mg first thing in the morning and go low in the evening when I am vaping more.
If someone gives me an 18mg, I know that I will not vape it as quickly. in the same sense, if someone gioves me a 3mg, I will tape the mod to my lips.
Just get your nic settled, get your confidence.
Hope helps
It worked. One or three draws lasted an hour or so. I figured I was getting plenty so I went and got 24mg juice. That was better. I found that my taste buds didn't work and was told that they were damaged from smoking and that it would take awhile to get taste back. So flavors weren't important at first.
I lowered my nic in a couple of months to 18mgand stayed there. I just bought my 2nd batch of 6mg. I am taking my time...why be in such a rush. I do have to say that I like 12mg first thing in the morning and go low in the evening when I am vaping more.
If someone gives me an 18mg, I know that I will not vape it as quickly. in the same sense, if someone gioves me a 3mg, I will tape the mod to my lips.
Just get your nic settled, get your confidence.
Hope helps
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What do you mean sensitive to caffeine?
For the record I smoked 2 packs a day wife 1 or so.. we started vaping wed.. i don't smoke cigs now just vap... wife smokes can't get vaping only..
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