yet another new member

[MercuryBrain]

Good morning!

I am new to all of this, have some negative programming on smoking to begin with, and am a paycheck away from trying nicotine as an OTC supplement to help with hyperactivity and focus as it's now needed in my life.

My youngest child, moderate/severe developmental disorder, is now placed in a facility with 24/7 monitoring - so I can finally sleep and not live with unending stress.

Every family member on both sides who smoked and didn't quit by middle age died horribly - usually emphysema or heart failure or both. This is a genetic link I would be a fool to ignore.
(Listening to my father's death moans at 3am at age 8 is kind of a powerful reinforcer.)

I live and work on my friend's farm, and am slowly recovering from the chronic stress of my child's presence, but the hyperactive brain problem is now interfering with my ability to return to the function I had a couple decades back. 12 years ago I was prescribed Ritalin for this, but its effect on me is not pleasant. So no going with that.

I have spent the last year considering and reading about nicotine as a treatment for this - lots of smokers in my family, and coffee is ubiquitous for us. Had my first cup at age 6 and never looked back! I'm in my early 50's now, and my alarm clock is a timered Mr.Coffee Jr.

I will probably start with a lowest dose patch (all the NIH abstracts talking about this refer to transdermal delivery systems) but am not thrilled with only three strength options.

This webite and the forums have been a huge help in providing both information and a variety of opinions on the subjects of gadgetry, safety and options.

The vapor systems seem to be the most flexible in nicotine percentages, but require a fairly pricy investment (for me, I don't earn much cash right now.) But the price of patches for long term use is pretty far up there too.

I realize I am the kind of interested party the Other Side wants exactly to avoid - but I am a grownup and able to make informed decisions. Plus Nevada is a pretty amoke-friendly state.

Right now, my biggest question is - in your assorted experiences, how do percentages of nicotine in the juice compare to level 3 patch dosages?

Once I know more about whether nicotine actually works for me and how it works, I'll look into what sort of hardware to buy.

Thank you for your consideration!

 

[Treborsmug]

Nicotine will not be the Holy Grail to your many problems.

 

[Rat2chat2]

to ecf MercuryBrain . Nice to meet you and so glad you are here. So sorry for the issues you have had with your child. Pretty helpless feeling there I am sure but glad that he/she will be getting the attention and that you will be getting a certain amount of relief. I wish I was able to understand more of what you are asking. I used nicotine patches several times and always started out of the strongest and deduced nicotine over time. I am pretty sure you will received a steadier and stronger amount of nicotine with the patches than you will receive with vaping. Transdermal patches, I would imagine they would be a more controlled dosage that your doctor could help you to determine, where as the absorption of water vapor is much less. I hope someone else comes a long that can help you but on something of this importance, I would recommend working with your doctor.

As far as nicotine recommendations for the smoker here is the chart that I go by that helps to determine the level in which a vaper should start out. It may help.

Here's A Helpful Chart That Displays Nicotine Levels:

0mg/mL Nicotine This means that there is no nicotine in your E-Liquid mixture.
Zero nicotine levels are usually ordered by people who have quit smoking but still have an oral fixation and use an electronic cigarette to satisfy it.

6mg/mL Nicotine This level of nicotine is the lightest level offered.
For people who wish to enjoy the smallest possible nicotine level while still enjoying a full E-liquid taste.
This is commonly the last level in "stepping."

12mg/mL Nicotine On the lower end of the spectrum, 12mg/ml is a comfortable level for people who prefer nicotine, but aren't heavy vapers.
This level is also common for people who used to smoke light cigarettes.

18mg/ml Nicotine This is the middle of the road in terms of nicotine.
Most vapers who were former smokers enjoy this level because it delivers the perfect amount of nicotine in each vape.

24mg/ml Nicotine This is on the high side of nicotine levels and is commonly preferred by people who were formally heavy smokers (about a pack per day).
It has a noticeable nicotine level that many former smokers enjoy.

36mg/ml Nicotine This is the highest concentration of nicotine that we offer our customers.
People who prefer this level are usually former smokers with a serious addiction, usually meaning more than two packs per day.

So sorry I was not able to help you more but I wish you well and hope that you find the information you need. Good luck.

 

[MercuryBrain]

Thank you, both!

Treborsmug, I appreciate your concern. I manage all the other details with an active life, occasional workouts (farming isn't anything like a desk job), diet, meditation and sometimes just hanging with the animals. As a result I'm still a scatterbrain, just a healthy, non diabetic, physically fit scatterbrain. What I'm looking to do is add another tool to my mental toolbox, to see if it will help. Having discussed this with friends who are smokers, ex-smokers and non-smokers, I feel like it can't hurt to try. And the cost alone keeps me from treating this exploration as a trivial impulse.

Rat2Chat2, thank you for your input! The numbers you provide are the kind of information I was looking for.

Stressors do affect brain function, and I have very much improved my outlook knowing my teen is safe and safely monitored, and able to live in a good place. As I have "returned" to a more reasonable schedule, I am getting a better view of what could be better, without judging myself as a failure.

Aside from all that, having tried hookahs in my misspent youth, I rather enjoyed that but set it aside as.. OMG smoke evil! I realize I am full of mixed messages to myself, and look forward to seeing if this is something that could both help and be a pleasant diversion, however I approach this, like an occasional glass of wine or beer.

Thank you both!

 

[Susan~S]

Hello and welcome to the forum MercuryBrain. Glad to have you here!

We look forward to helping you get a great first setup!

 

[Rat2chat2]

MercuryBrain, you are so welcome and I must say there is nothing wrong with wine and vaping. Sometimes even more effective than prescription drugs. I do wish you well and if you have any more questions, I will be glad to help any way I can. May not have all the answers but I can google with the best of them. Let us know how you are doing and what does seem to work for you. That is what ecf is all about. Learning and helping others.