your brain on nicotine

[Stubby]

Then there is the upcoming nicotine vaccine

http://www.nabi.com/pipeline/pipeline.php?id=3

I can hardly imagine what this will do to anyone who is self-medicating with tobacco/nicotine. This could very well be a disaster in waiting. If you read the article there is a lot of money changing hands.

 

[Vocalek]

When I first read about verenicline, it was in the process of being tested for approval. All the reports sounded wonderful, but it bothered me that the way the drug works is by blocking some receptors in the brain. I'm very glad that I decided to be cautious and not ask for this drug to help me stop smoking after it was approved as Chantix. After a lot of people became depressed, hostile, violent, suicidal, etc., Chantix now comes with a warning to "tell your doctor if you have depression."

So yes, I think the vaccine will prove to be a disaster. Unfortunately, being treated with a vaccine is not as reversible as being treated with a pill. The folks who need nicotine may become permanently disabled by this vaccine.

 

[Bill Godshall]

Vocalek wrote:

So I wish fervently that tobacco harm reduction experts would stop bringing up the (incorrect) idea that nicotine cessation is somehow healthier than avoiding hypertension, obesity, and "mental illness."

I totally agree, and I think that nearly all other tobacco harm reduction advocates agree.

Since Vocalek posted that comment (and another very similar comment) in response to my posting (that didn't state or imply that nicotine cessation always improves health), I wanted to clarify any misinterpretation of my comment.

But when trying to pursuade/convince abstinence-only anti-tobacco/nicotine extremists (e.g. when speaking at a smoking cessation conference) of the benefits of tobacco harm reduction, it helps to also acknowledge that many smokers have benefited from nicotine cessation (as otherwise the anti tobacco/nicotine folks will simply reject everything I say to them about harm reduction).

 

[Bill Godshall]

Stubby wrote:

Then there is the upcoming nicotine vaccine

http://www.nabi.com/pipeline/pipeline.php?id=3

Unless and until the FDA approves any potential vaccine, it is only a potential vaccine.
The description of NicVAX on that website was primarily intended to urge potential investors to buy shares of NABI stock.

 

[MoonRose]

I'll stop using nicotine when all the world stops using caffiene.

 

[coralie]

rothenbj, I started using an e cigarette in August of 2009, well over 1 year ago. I very slowly weaned down to 1-2 cigarettes/day by May of 2010. I became smoke-free near the end of September 2010. So I just passed 3 months smoke-free. I didn't notice a depressed mood the first month at all, I was so excited about quitting and telling people about how I did it. Around the time that I was at 4-5/day I considered smokeless products but decided I wanted to give my body a chance to wean off the other alkaloids and chemicals I was missing. I've been happy with my decision overall. I think part of my mood of late is stress from work. I was off in the summer so I didn't have anything to stress about. In August and September, it was building back up as I got into the swing of things, but by November, I noticed I needed more time alone and more quiet. I notice more of my sensitive nature now, and I become overwhelmed slightly more easily. I need to take better care of myself, and I'm working toward that by making quiet time more of a priority and declining some invitations when I need peace. It works, and I'd rather that than use wellbutrin or other pharmaceuticals with all their side effects to enable me to be numb enough to be like the majority. I hope that makes a little sense.

 

[BestLion]

Well considering many foods had nicotine or something bad in them..
Look at coffee!
Look at most prescription drugs "many people are on anti deppresents that are addictive and bad for you'
Look at candy
I know church people who say nicotine is bad la la la..but these same people tend to be obese, eat junk foods, eat McDonald everyday ect..
To me nicotine calms and relaxes, am I addicted to it yes! i am also addicted to coffee. but I also figure this we do need some enjoyments in life. i also dont have a problem with ......... or magic mushrooms... and if people want to do them they should be allowed.

 

[Petrodus]

My ramblings…

We live in a world today where it seems everyone (including myself) suffers from some kind of ailment or condition and everyone's first thought is a "drug" when suffering any discomfort. It doesn't make any difference if the discomfort is a mental condition or just finding it difficult to fall asleep or having a head-ache.

FDA approved Drugs (the only Legal Drugs)...Do NOT cure. If drugs cured then
BP would be in the business of "going out of business" and that doesn't make any sense.

We live in a "Drug" world... Some would say, there are good drugs and bad drugs.
However, it's all definitional.

A common saying today: Everyone is addicted to some kind of drug.
Drug of Choice... no longer applies to Illegal Drugs.

Those opposed to E-cigarettes are addicted to their drug of choice.
Many are addicted to caffeine and other drugs but they are
living in denial and just focused on the evils of Nicotine addiction
(to save the children)

It seems everything we consume today has added chemicals.
We are ALL just Cash Cows.

Comedy routines are only "Funny" if there is an element of Truth

 

[guitardedmark]

Well said sir! I agree a lot with what this. I despise how much how country depends on the "bandaid fix" of drugs instead of getting to the root of the problem. I'm a recovering drug addict so as you can imagine I have quite the love hate relationship with chemicals

PS: Been sober for 14 months though!

 

[Aaeli]

That's exactly the point I was trying to make. A lot of doctors reach for their prescription pads because it's quicker and easier, but, as you pointed out; it's a temporary fix.

 

[rothenbj]

That's exactly the point I was trying to make. A lot of doctors reach for their prescription pads because it's quicker and easier, but, as you pointed out; it's a temporary fix.

However that temporary fix is sometimes appropriate. With things like ...... and ......, if it fixes for more than four hours, they want you to go back to the doctors again.

 

[guitardedmark]

However that temporary fix is sometimes appropriate. With things like ...... and ......, if it fixes for more than four hours, they want you to go back to the doctors again.

but even those drugs are given to people as a "bandaid" and can mask the real issue. There are many reasons for ED and many of them are preventable. Granted, not all of them are, but ...... is prescribed way too often. I got addicted to it and I'm a fully functional 27 year old. I completely abused it and did not need to be taking it. It took me awhile to be able to have sex without it because I was so dependent on it. I should never have started taking it and I wish doctors wouldn't have given it to me (although I eventually started ordering it overseas because it was cheaper).

 

[rothenbj]

rothenbj, I started using an e cigarette in August of 2009, well over 1 year ago. I very slowly weaned down to 1-2 cigarettes/day by May of 2010. I became smoke-free near the end of September 2010. So I just passed 3 months smoke-free. I didn't notice a depressed mood the first month at all, I was so excited about quitting and telling people about how I did it. Around the time that I was at 4-5/day......

Coralie, you confused me a bit (easily done sometimes). You say you were smoke free near the end of September, then you mention 4-5 a day. Are you saying you still aren't smoking or had stopped smoking, but now are smoking 4 or 5? Or you were down to 1 or 2 in May, edged up to 4 or 5 and haven't had any in three months? Also, how much were you smoking before you started your journey?

I only ask because I dropped from over 2 packs a day to a half dozen when I started vaping, then around six months my cig count started to climb a little at a time. I knew where that was going to lead so I moved in another direction which has lasted puff free for 10.5 months now. The fog and mood swings have disappeared and I'm "content".

 

[rothenbj]

but even those drugs are given to people as a "bandaid"....

My humor seems to sometimes escape my audience.... I totally understand what you're saying though. You're pusher, er, I mean your doctor sometimes reaches for the most convenient answer.

 

[guitardedmark]

My humor seems to sometimes escape my audience.... I totally understand what you're saying though. You're pusher, er, I mean your doctor sometimes reaches for the most convenient answer.

Lol sorry I'm sick today and a little out of it.

PS: I love blue man group

 

[rothenbj]

Lol sorry I'm sick today and a little out of it.

PS: I love blue man group

Totally, totally OT (SORRY Bill), I saw them Xmas night. They were great as long as you still have some sophomoric humor left in you. I got a good laugh from most of their work, my gf wasn't quite as entertained, but still enjoyed some of it. Went to Vegas three years ago to shoot in a national pool championship and planned to see them after we were eliminated. Unfortunately we finished 17th out of over 300 teams and shot into the early morning hours of the last day so didn't see much of Vegas at all. Now back to the serious stuff.

 

[guitardedmark]

Totally, totally OT (SORRY Bill), I saw them Xmas night. They were great as long as you still have some sophomoric humor left in you. I got a good laugh from most of their work, my gf wasn't quite as entertained, but still enjoyed some of it. Went to Vegas three years ago to shoot in a national pool championship and planned to see them after we were eliminated. Unfortunately we finished 17th out of over 300 teams and shot into the early morning hours of the last day so didn't see much of Vegas at all. Now back to the serious stuff.

What does OT mean?

 

[Petrodus]

What does OT mean?

OT: Off Topic

 

[guitardedmark]

Oh ya lol. I should really take some drugs to to fight off this illness

 

[Aaeli]

But...but it's only a temp fix!!

LOL I'm teasing, more OT.